The conquest and the judges · Ruth 1–4
Ruth and Boaz
In the days of the judges, a famine drives Elimelech of Bethlehem to move to Moab with his wife Naomi and their two sons. There, Elimelech dies, and then his sons, who had married Moabite women. Naomi returns to Bethlehem; her daughter-in-law Ruth refuses to leave her: “thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.” It is the beginning of the barley harvest. Ruth goes out to glean and, “by chance,” ends up in the field of Boaz, a wealthy relative of Elimelech, who protects her and showers her with kindness. On Naomi’s advice, she lies down at his feet by night on the threshing floor and asks him to exercise his right as kinsman-redeemer. At the city gate, before ten elders, the nearer relative gives up his claim by taking off his sandal. Boaz marries Ruth. Their son Obed will become the grandfather of King David.
What happens
- Ruth refuses to leave Naomi: “thy God my God” Ruth 1:16–17
- Ruth gleans “by chance” in Boaz’s field Ruth 2:3
- Boaz blesses her for her loyalty to her mother-in-law Ruth 2:11–12
- On the threshing floor, Ruth asks Boaz to act as her kinsman-redeemer Ruth 3:9
- At the gate, the nearer relative gives up his claim and takes off his sandal Ruth 4:6–8
- The birth of Obed, father of Jesse, father of David Ruth 4:17
Who is in this story
The lesson
God rewards quiet faithfulness and directs the “chance events” of daily life. Boaz, the relative who redeems and marries the foreigner, points ahead to Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, who welcomes into his people those who come to take refuge under his wings.
And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
Quick quiz on this story
Why does Elimelech leave Bethlehem with his family for Moab?
“It came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land”: a man of Bethlehem went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. Ruth 1:1
At what time of year do Naomi and Ruth arrive in Bethlehem?
Naomi and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, “came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.” Ruth 1:22
How does the nearer relative show he is giving up his right of redemption?
According to the custom in Israel in former times for confirming a redemption, “a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour”: that is what he does. Ruth 4:7–8
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