Timeless Truth: God’s gracious redemption extends to all.
The story of
Israel’s judges closes with a line that could just as well be the opening for
the story of Ruth: “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw
fit.” (Judges 21:25) God’s chosen ones looked more like a reality show gone
wrong than a holy beacon of hope. They had abandoned God’s plan (again) and had
become moral misfits and spiritual adulterers. The light had gone out on God’s
people. Then a foreigner stepped onto the stage and a candle of hope flickered
once again.
The story of Ruth
is a literary and redemptive gem that glimmers against a backdrop of blackness.
In the opening scene, Naomi’s family caravanned away from the Promised Land
where famine had left them hungry for food and for hope. They settled in Moab where idol worship was
the prevailing ritual and God seemed far away.
Naomi’s two sons married Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth. The weddings were too quickly followed by
funerals—three of them. Naomi’s husband died first. Soon after, both of her sons died too. And all that was left was three widows, no
children and no prospects. The prospects
were indeed grim.
Naomi heard the
famine had lifted and decided to return to Bethlehem. She sent her daughters-in-law back to their
homes where they might find new husbands.
Ruth expressed her strong will and even stronger faith by refusing to
leave. Her poetic declaration of loyalty
and commitment offers the first sign of hope: “Where you go, I will go; your
people will be my people and your God my God.” (p. 100) The duo of widows made the journey back to
the Land of Promise where the only hope was mere survival.
Once there, Ruth
exercised a widow’s right to gather the extra grain from the fields. Her field of choice just happened to be the
farmstead of a godly man named Boaz. He
also happened to be a family guardian who could carry on the heritage of
Naomi’s deceased husband and sons. He noticed Ruth from the start and admired
the way she worked to provide for her aging mother-in-law. Boaz offered his
help and protection; Ruth noticed him too.
Jewish law required
a family guardian to redeem both a widow and her land to preserve the family
line. So, as was the custom, Naomi told
Ruth to offer herself in marriage to Boaz.
He was delighted but also knew of a closer relative who had the right of
first refusal. That man chose to forfeit
Naomi’s land since it also meant he would have to marry Ruth, which might
threaten the inheritance he would pass along to his own children. Neither Boaz nor Ruth was disappointed by his
choice since his refusal paved the way for Boaz to fulfill his role as a family
guardian or “kinsman redeemer.” Boaz gladly married Ruth and redeemed the
family’s land. God cheerfully restored Naomi and planted a family tree: Ruth
and Boaz à Obed à Jesse à King David à Jesus.
There’s no denying
this story as a great romance. But even more, it brings us to a defining
episode in the greatest love story ever told.
Boaz’ love for Ruth is a mirror image of the heart of God. Boaz steps in as a willing kinsmen redeemer
and foreshadows One who would step in as the Redeemer for all people. So it turns out the even the “not so chosen”
are chosen after all. God’s plan will
overwhelm every obstacle, overturn every injustice and overcome completely in
the end. Soon, we’ll see that God is
writing a happily ever after for this story after all.
- Meanings of Biblical names are always significant. Elimelek’s name meant “my God is King.” Naomi’s name meant “my pleasantness,” but later asked to be called Mara, meaning “bitterness.” Ruth’s name meant “friendship.” Boaz’ name meant “swift strength.” Who best lived up to their names and who did not?
- Compare Naomi’s attitude at the beginning and end of this story. How does her view of God and the Upper Story change?
- Look at Ruth and Boaz’s interaction with Naomi. What can you learn about the challenges and benefits of caring for an aging parent? What challenges do you face with your parents?
- The period of the Judges was marked by weak faith and irresponsible living, but this foreign woman gives hope. What specific examples of strong faith and responsible living can you find in the characters of Ruth and Boaz?
- The story of Ruth demonstrates laws that God had given Israel to take care of marginalized people (Deut. 25:5-10, Lev. 25:25, Lev. 19:9-10). What do these laws and customs reveal about the heart of God for the poor, the widow and the orphan? How could your group care for the less fortunate and thereby reflect the heart of God?
- The love story of Ruth and Boaz stands in contrast to many of the “love” stories we hear today. What can single men and women learn from their example (note Ruth’s reputation in the community, p. 101, 102)
- The word for redeem is used twenty times in this story, making it a key theme. What does it mean to be redeemed? How does Boaz’s redeeming of Ruth compare to our redemption found in Christ?
- What some people might call coincidence others call divine providence. What are some key examples of God’s divine providence in this story?
