Ruth

Lesson 8 of 66: The Book of Ruth

Loyal Love and the Law of Redemption

The Book of Ruth is one of the Bible’s great masterpieces of short-form storytelling. Set during the dark and violent era of the Judges, it is a deliberate contrast, a ray of light that focuses on personal faithfulness and covenant kindness (hesed), rather than national failure and civil war.

It answers a crucial question: even when the nation is corrupt and doing "what is right in its own eyes," is God still at work among faithful individuals? The answer is a resounding yes.

I. Tragedy and Unwavering Loyalty (Chapter 1)

The story begins with tragedy. A man named Elimelech moves his family—his wife Naomi and two sons—from Bethlehem to the foreign country of Moab to escape a famine. After Elimelech and both sons die, Naomi is left destitute, stripped of her husband and heirs, with only her two Moabite daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth.

Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem, believing God's hand is against her (Ruth 1:13). She urges her daughters-in-law to stay in Moab, but Ruth refuses.

She delivers one of the most famous declarations of loyalty in all of scripture: “Do not urge me to leave you... where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16).

This commitment, known as hesed (loyal, covenant kindness), is the driving spiritual force of the entire narrative.

II. Provision and Kindness (Chapter 2)

Naomi and Ruth arrive back in Bethlehem impoverished and without a means of support. Because of their poverty, Ruth must resort to gleaning—following the reapers in the field and gathering the leftover grain—a provision for the poor mandated by God's Law (Leviticus 19:9–10).

By divine appointment, she finds herself in the field belonging to Boaz, a wealthy, honorable, and upright relative of Naomi's late husband.

Boaz notices Ruth's diligence and, having heard about her extraordinary loyalty to Naomi, shows her exceptional kindness. He ensures her safety, provides her with food, and instructs his workers to treat her with generosity (Ruth 2:15–16).

This interaction introduces the theme of divine providence—God orchestrating events through the kindness of faithful people—and sets the stage for redemption.

III. The Kinsman-Redeemer (Chapters 3–4)

Naomi, seeing Boaz's kindness, recognizes that he is a potential Kinsman-Redeemer (go'el in Hebrew). The law required that if a family member fell into ruin (lost land, became destitute), a close male relative had the right and duty to redeem (buy back) the land and secure the family line by marrying the widow.

Ruth follows Naomi’s daring instruction and approaches Boaz to claim his responsibility. Boaz, moved by Ruth's character and loyalty, agrees to act as the Redeemer.

He handles the legal process, ensuring that the closer relative declines the responsibility, and publicly buys the land and marries Ruth (Ruth 4:10). This act of covenant love secures Ruth’s future and restores Naomi's lineage.

The story concludes with the birth of Ruth and Boaz's son, Obed, who becomes the grandfather of King David. This beautiful lineage places the faithful Moabite woman, Ruth, directly in the line of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Applying the Truth Today

The Book of Ruth is a masterpiece of theology embedded in a simple love story. It shows that God does not just work in dramatic plagues or military conquests, but in the quiet, ordinary acts of human kindness.

The selfless love shown by Ruth and the covenant mercy provided by Boaz are a vivid portrait of Christ, our ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer, who purchased us from ruin and restored our inheritance through His own sacrifice.

Reflection Questions for Your Journey:

1. Ruth demonstrated radical loyalty. Who in your life (a family member, friend, or church community) is God calling you to show extraordinary, selfless loyalty (hesed) to today?

2. Boaz provided for the poor through the Law. How can you use your resources, time, or talents to generously provide for those who are struggling or "gleaning" around you?

3. The Kinsman-Redeemer restores inheritance. How does understanding Boaz's role give you a deeper appreciation for Jesus Christ, who purchased you out of poverty and ruin and restored your eternal inheritance?

Your Reading Guide

To truly feel the power of this story, begin by reading Chapter 1:16–17, which contains Ruth's famous pledge of loyalty to Naomi—the foundational act of hesed in the story.

Next, read Chapter 2:8–12, focusing on the generous kindness of Boaz and the quiet work of God's providence.

Finally, read the conclusion in Chapter 4:13–22. This passage confirms the full restoration and reveals the incredible lineage that connects a foreign woman from Moab directly to the family line of King David.