The Background: Tragedy and Decision

The book of Ruth begins during the turbulent period of the Judges, detailing a famine that drove an Israelite family from Bethlehem into the foreign land of Moab.

• The World She Left: Moabites were descendants of Lot (Abraham's nephew) but had a contentious, hostile history with Israel. The Moabite nation worshipped pagan gods. Ruth's marriage to an Israelite was already unconventional, but her defining moment came after tragedy: her husband, father-in-law, and brother-in-law all died, leaving Ruth, her sister-in-law Orpah, and her mother-in-law Naomi as three widows.

• The Character Choice: Naomi decided to return to her homeland of Judah and urged her daughters-in-law to stay behind in Moab. Orpah reluctantly went home, but Ruth's character was revealed in her famous commitment to Naomi. She made a covenant-level declaration of loyalty and conversion:

  “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For 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)

I. The Character Trait: Hesed (Covenant Love)

Ruth’s decision was a radical act of Hesed—a rich Hebrew word that means selfless, loyal, steadfast love; the kind of love that God shows to His people.

• Selfless Dedication: Ruth gave up the slim possibility of a stable future in her own land to care for Naomi, who was now poor and old. Their return to Bethlehem required Ruth to humble herself and work tirelessly in the barley fields as a gleaner (picking up the scraps left behind by the harvesters) to provide food.

• A Reputation for Goodness: Ruth’s diligence and devotion were quickly noticed by Boaz, the wealthy owner of the field and a relative of Naomi's late husband. Boaz praised Ruth, saying, “All the people in the city know that you are a worthy woman.” (Ruth 3:11) Her commitment to Naomi translated into an honorable reputation in her new community.

II. The Character of Redemption

The rest of the story follows the principle of the Kinsman-Redeemer (Hebrew: go'el), where a relative had the obligation to buy back (redeem) the land or family line of a deceased kinsman.

• Boaz the Redeemer: Boaz was a righteous and honorable man who saw Ruth's faith. He acted as the Kinsman-Redeemer, acquiring the land and marrying Ruth. This fulfilled both the social law and secured the future of Naomi’s family line.

• A Symbol of Christ: Boaz is a beautiful Old Testament type of Jesus Christ, the ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer who chose to include the outsider (us) into His family, sacrificing His own status to pay the price and restore the lost inheritance.

• The Royal Line: Ruth, the Moabite outsider, became the mother of Obed, who was the father of Jesse, who was the father of King David (Ruth 4:17). Her character of loyalty secured her place in the direct royal line of the Messiah.

Applying the Truth Today

Ruth’s character teaches the new Christian the profound value of loyal, unconditional commitment. Her story assures us that when we choose to embrace God ("Your God my God"), He will meet us where we are, use our sacrifices, and transform our outsider status into a place of belonging and blessing.

When you feel like an outsider or that your selfless efforts are unnoticed, remember Ruth—God sees your Hesed and weaves it into His grand plan of redemption.

Reflection Questions for Your Journey:

1. "Your God My God." Ruth’s conversion was a public, costly declaration of loyalty. What is one area of your life where you need to make a more public and costly declaration that the God of Christ is your God?

2. Hesed in Action. Where is God asking you to show unwavering loyalty (Hesed) to a person or to your local church, even when it is inconvenient or difficult?

3. The Outsider. If Ruth the Moabite was welcomed into the line of the Messiah, how does this assurance help you welcome and love other outsiders whom the world might look down upon?

Your Reading Guide

To grasp her defining character moment, read Ruth 1:16–18. Next, focus on her reputation for goodness in Ruth 3:10–11. Finally, see the result of her loyalty in Ruth 4:13–17.