About This Book
Ruth offers a beautiful contrast to Judges' darkness, presenting a story of loyalty, redemption, and divine providence during the judges' era. The narrative begins with famine driving Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their two sons from Bethlehem to Moab. The sons marry Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah, but tragedy strikes—Elimelech and both sons die, leaving three widows. When Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem, she urges her daughters-in-law to remain in Moab.
Orpah reluctantly agrees, but Ruth refuses, pledging legendary loyalty to Naomi and Naomi's God. Ruth's beautiful commitment—'Where you go I will go, your people shall be my people, your God my God'—demonstrates faith transcending ethnic boundaries. Arriving in Bethlehem at barley harvest, the destitute Ruth gleans in fields to provide food. Providence guides her to fields belonging to Boaz, a wealthy relative of Elimelech.
Boaz shows extraordinary kindness, ensuring Ruth's protection and provision, having heard of her devotion to Naomi. Following Naomi's counsel, Ruth approaches Boaz at the threshing floor, requesting that he fulfill the kinsman-redeemer role. Though a nearer relative exists, Boaz promises to resolve the matter legally. When the closer relative declines, Boaz publicly redeems Elimelech's property and marries Ruth.
Their union produces Obed, grandfather of King David, placing Ruth in the Messiah's lineage. This short book demonstrates God's sovereign care for the faithful, regardless of ethnicity, and reveals that He works through ordinary circumstances to accomplish extraordinary purposes, ultimately bringing forth the line of David and Jesus Christ.