True Love

 

The story of Boaz and Ruth is much more than just a love story between a wealthy landowner and a Moabite widow. It’s a powerful narrative that reveals the depths of God's provision and redemption. While the events unfold within an ordinary human tale, the theological richness of this story offers us a stunning glimpse into God’s heart for the marginalized, the faithful, and the obedient. To truly grasp the depths of what’s happening, it’s essential to understand the historical and cultural context, and the Hebrew language that underpins the narrative.

To start, we need to look at Ruth’s position. She’s a Moabite widow—a woman from a people group that had been historically seen as enemies of Israel. The Moabites were descendants of Lot, Abraham’s nephew (Genesis 19:30-38), and the relationship between Moab and Israel wasn’t exactly friendly. In fact, Deuteronomy 23:3-6 specifically tells the Israelites not to allow Moabites to enter the assembly of the Lord. So, here we have Ruth, a Moabite, who, in the eyes of the Israelites, would’ve been seen as an outsider. On top of that, she was a widow, one of the most vulnerable members of society. Without a husband or male family members, she had no legal standing or economic security. She was entirely dependent on others.

The law of Moses provided certain protections for widows, but it was still a harsh life. Widows like Ruth were left without a safety net, and the cultural norms of the time made things even more difficult. Ruth wasn’t just grieving the loss of her husband; she was also an alien in a foreign land, and her chances of remarrying and securing her future seemed slim. And yet, Ruth's situation would become the perfect setting for God’s unfolding plan of redemption.

When Naomi, Ruth’s mother-in-law, decides to return to Bethlehem after hearing that the famine has ended, she urges her daughters-in-law to stay in Moab and return to their families. Orpah, one of the daughters-in-law, agrees to do so, but Ruth makes a decision that changes everything. In Ruth 1:16-17, she says:

"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. Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried."

This isn’t just a simple statement of loyalty. What Ruth is doing here is much deeper. She’s making a covenantal commitment—an act of faith. In saying “your God my God,” Ruth is effectively abandoning her Moabite roots, her identity as a Moabite, and choosing the God of Israel, the God of Naomi, to be her God. This is a powerful moment of conversion. Ruth is not just choosing to follow Naomi because of family ties. She is choosing a new way of life, a new faith, and a new people. This is no small thing—she’s leaving everything familiar behind to step into the unknown.

Her decision to follow Naomi wasn’t just about being there for her mother-in-law; it was about trusting Naomi’s God to provide for her. She was willing to let go of everything she knew to follow the one true God, believing that in doing so, she would find her future, her hope, and her redemption.

When they arrive in Bethlehem, Ruth’s situation is no better. She’s still poor, still vulnerable, and still a foreigner. But in Ruth 2:2, Ruth says to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor.”

Gleaning was a practice outlined in the Torah (Leviticus 19:9-10 and Deuteronomy 24:19-21) where the poor, including widows, could go into the fields after the harvesters had finished their work and pick up any leftover grain. It was one of the ways God provided for the marginalized. But Ruth didn’t wait for someone to come and help her. She went out and took the initiative to work for her and Naomi’s survival. Gleaning was a humble act of hard labor, and it was often a last resort for the poor. Ruth’s willingness to do this speaks volumes about her character. She wasn’t ashamed of her situation, and she wasn’t waiting for charity. She was ready to work, trusting that God would provide as she did so.

In the field, Ruth happens upon Boaz, a wealthy landowner and, unbeknownst to her, a kinsman-redeemer. The term kinsman-redeemer is significant here. In Hebrew, the word go'el (גָּאַל) refers to a relative who had the responsibility to redeem a family member in distress, especially in the case of widows. The kinsman-redeemer could marry the widow to preserve the family line and provide for her needs. Boaz, as a relative of Naomi’s deceased husband, is in the perfect position to be this redeemer.

When Boaz notices Ruth, he’s immediately struck by her diligence and her character. In Ruth 2:8-9, Boaz speaks to Ruth:

"Now listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women. Let your eyes be on the field that they are reaping, and go after them."

His generosity doesn’t stop there. He tells his workers to leave extra grain behind for Ruth to pick up, ensuring that she has more than enough to take home to Naomi. Boaz’s kindness and protection reflect God’s providence at work. In Ruth 2:12, Boaz blesses Ruth:

"The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge."

The term “wings” here (כָּנָף kanaph) is not just referring to literal wings. In Hebrew, it signifies protection—the idea of being covered and cared for under God’s divine care. Ruth’s decision to follow Naomi and worship God is not going unnoticed. Boaz sees that Ruth has taken refuge under God’s wings, and he recognizes that she is in God’s care.

As the story progresses, Naomi realizes that Boaz is not just a man of great generosity but also a kinsman-redeemer. In Ruth 3:1-2, she devises a plan for Ruth to go to the threshing floor at night, where Boaz will be winnowing barley. She instructs Ruth to wait until Boaz has finished his work, then to uncover his feet and lie down at his feet. This is not an inappropriate or seductive act; rather, it’s a cultural custom that signifies submission and a request for redemption. Ruth is essentially asking Boaz to take responsibility for her and redeem her as a kinsman-redeemer.

In Ruth 3:9, when Boaz wakes up and finds Ruth lying at his feet, she says:

"I am your servant Ruth. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer."

The “wings” Ruth speaks of here once again point to protection. Ruth is humbly asking Boaz to take her under his protection and fulfill the role of redeemer for her family. Boaz, deeply moved by Ruth’s request, agrees to do so but first ensures that a closer relative has the first right to redeem her. In Ruth 3:10-11, Boaz speaks with integrity:

"And now it is true that I am a redeemer. Yet there is a redeemer nearer than I. Remain tonight, and in the morning, if he will redeem you, good; let him do it. But if he is not willing to redeem you, then, as the Lord lives, I will redeem you."

This is a man of integrity. Boaz could have taken advantage of Ruth’s vulnerable position, but instead, he chooses to follow the law and honor the rightful process for redemption. In the end, the nearer kinsman-redeemer relinquishes his right, and Boaz marries Ruth, redeeming both her and Naomi’s family line.

The final chapter of Ruth shows us that Ruth and Boaz have a son, Obed, who becomes the father of Jesse, the father of David. The genealogy in Ruth 4:18-22 emphasizes that God’s hand has been at work in bringing about the line of David, and through David’s line, the Messiah would eventually be born.

The story of Boaz and Ruth is ultimately a story of divine redemption. It demonstrates how God works through ordinary people in extraordinary ways. Ruth, a Moabite widow, is included in the family of God, and through her faithfulness, God brings about the lineage of David and, ultimately, the birth of Jesus Christ.

In the midst of hardship, Ruth shows us that God’s provision and redemption are always at work, even when we can’t see it. The lesson is clear: no matter how broken or hopeless a situation may seem, God is always faithful to bring about restoration. Ruth’s story is a testament to God’s grace, His faithfulness, and His unshakable love for His people, no matter their past or their status.