Who Was Ruth?

Most Christians are familiar with Ruth, one of the main characters in the Old Testament book that bears her name. It’s a story known and loved by adults and children alike. But even if we’re acquainted with the story, it is good for us to remember who Ruth was, both to spur us on in faithful living and to center our eyes on our Savior, the One to whom Ruth points.

A Foreigner

The first thing we learn about Ruth is that she is a Moabite woman, married to one of the sons of Elimelech and Naomi, who were from Bethlehem in Judah (Ruth 1:1–4). This is significant, especially since Moabites weren’t allowed to “enter the assembly of the Lord” because they had failed to provide for God’s people when they left Egypt and because they hired Balaam to curse God’s people (Deut. 23:3–5). Israel was forbidden to “seek their peace or their prosperity” (Deut. 23:6).

A Widow

Second, Ruth’s husband died in the country of Moab, leaving her a widow with no children (Ruth 1:5). Not only did she bear the grief of losing her husband, but her father-in-law and brother-in-law also died. In the wake of suffering, she left her country to accompany her mother-in-law to Bethlehem, where the famine had lifted and there was food again (Ruth 1:6–7).

A Loyal Daughter-in-Law

Third, when her mother-in-law urged her to return home to Moab before they reached Bethlehem, Ruth refused. Ultimately, her sister-in-law returned, but Ruth “clung to [Naomi]” (Ruth 1:14). This was a costly decision, especially since Naomi had no other sons to offer Ruth for a husband. If Ruth remained with her, it was very possible that she would remain a widow with no children. Even so, she replied, “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” (Ruth 1:16).

A Woman of Faith

En route to Bethlehem, Ruth made a profession of faith: “Your people shall be my people, and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16). Such a profession was confirmed by her practice of godliness in the days that followed. By faith she initiated providing for Naomi and herself: “Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor” (Ruth 2:2). By faith she worked hard in the fields (Ruth 2:7). Boaz commended her for all that she had done for her mother-in-law, blessing her with these words: “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!” (Ruth 2:12). By faith Ruth submitted to Naomi’s plan to ask Boaz to redeem her and courageously went to the threshing floor to ask Boaz to marry her (Ruth 3:1–13). By faith she wisely waited until the matter was properly settled (Ruth 3:18).

A Godly Wife and Mother

Although Ruth had known a great deal of suffering in her lifetime, the Lord rewarded her with the very man who had prayed the Lord would repay her for her good deeds and faithfulness (Ruth 2:12). Boaz, after settling matters properly, took Ruth to be his wife (Ruth 4:10). The elders and people of Bethlehem pronounced a blessing upon him:

May the LORD make the woman, who is coming into your house, like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel . . . may your house be like the house of Perez . . . because of the offspring that the Lord will give you by this young woman. (Ruth 4:11–12)

The Lord blessed Boaz and Ruth with a son (Ruth 4:13). Significantly, the women of the town called him “a redeemer” and “a restorer of life” (Ruth 4:14–15). They prayed that his name would “be renowned in Israel” (Ruth 4:14). They also named him Obed, meaning “servant” (Ruth 4:17).

The Genealogy of Jesus Christ

Ruth’s son, Obed, became “the father of Jesse, the father of David” (Ruth 4:17). The book of Ruth closes with the genealogy of David in order to point us to the genealogy of Jesus Christ:

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David . . . and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king. (Matt. 1:1, 5–6)

Jesus is a greater redeemer and servant than Boaz and Obed. He is a greater king than David. He is renowned in the entire world:

The LORD said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.” (Ps. 2:7–8)

As we consider Ruth’s confession and character, may we be spurred on toward faithfulness as we keep our eyes on Jesus, the Redeemer of God’s people, the One who “came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28).