The book of Ruth was written in the time of Judges (Ruth 1:1). No one is sure who the author was but some believe it was Samuel. The people of Israel, who had a faith in God at the time of Exodus, now turned to idols and wickedness. Their separation from God caused, tribal jealousies, civil wars and foreign oppressions.
The story of Ruth shows us a different side of that life. It opens with a family leaving Bethlehem. Elimelech his wife Naomi and their two sons, Chilion and Mahlon. There is a famine in Israel so the family moves to Moab. Tragedy strikes the family first with the death of Elimelech. Naomi's sons marry Moabite women Orpha and Ruth. After 10 years again Naomi will morn, her two sons die.
Naomi, now left with her daughters-in-law, hears God has graced Israel one again. The famine has been lifted. She gathers her daughters-in-law and prepares for their journey to Bethlehem. On the way Naomi changes her mind about Orpha and Ruth going with her. She asks them to return to Moab to their families. Naomi feels she cannot offer them husbands or hope. "Go find husbands and be happy", she tells them. Orpha and Ruth cried and pleaded with Naomi to let them continue. Orpha changes her mind and goes back to her family and her idol worship. Ruth clings to the mother-in-law she loves so dearly, telling her she would follow her and her God. Naomi gives in and they continue to Israel.
Ruth and Naomi entered Bethlehem at the beginning of harvest season. The people called out her name. Naomi requested she be called Mara (bitter) for she felt the Lord had dealt bitterly with her. Naomi had a relative of her husbands of great wealth living in Bethlehem name Boaz.
Ruth wanted to provide for Naomi and asked Naomi's permission to look for work and hoped someone would be kind to her. She went out putting all her faith in God. Coming to a field unknowing to her belonged to Boaz, she asked the servant in charge if she could work gathering the leftovers in the field. Ruth worked through the morning. As she was taking a break, Boaz came to the field and asked his servant in charge who she was. He was told that Ruth was the Moabite woman who returned with Naomi. Ruth approached Boaz asking if she could work in his field. Boaz had a great admiration for Ruth. He had heard of Ruth leaving her people, turning from her idols to worship God and coming to a strange land to care for Naomi. Boaz assured Ruth she could stay and work. She would be protected and fed. Allowing her to eat at his table and having his servants leave extra in the field for her, Ruth found the kind person she was seeking.
By evening Ruth was on her way back to Naomi, with her great amount of grain. Naomi asked Ruth where she worked, who was so kind to her? Ruth told Naomi of her day and Boaz. Naomi informed Ruth, that Boaz was a close relative. She asked Gods blessing on Boaz for his kindness. Ruth worked until the end of the harvest season and remained living with Naomi and caring for her.
Naomi is not bitter anymore. She sees Boaz kindness to Ruth. She wants them to marry. As Ruth's mother-in-law she has all rights to make the arrangements. Boaz being a close relative would be able to buy the property and continue the family name. Naomi, now can see happiness in a future family. She set her plans into action instructing Ruth. She was to bathe, perfume herself, shed her clothes of morning and put on her best dress. Ruth was to go to the raised platform on the hill (threshing floor) wait for Boaz to finish his supper and lie down to sleep. Ruth going unnoticed uncovered his feet and lay down beside them. Ruth told Naomi she would do all that she asked of her.
Ruth set about her duty and lay down at Boaz feet. He woke in the middle of the night startled jumping forward asking who was there. Ruth replied it was her and asked Boaz to cover her that he was a close relative. Boaz understood Ruth's meaning. She wanted Boaz to marry her. Boaz was delighted. He thought he was too old for Ruth. He thought she would have wanted a younger rich man for her husband. Boaz told Ruth he wanted to marry her, except there was another relative who was closer to the family. The closer relative by law had first rights. He told her to stay with him through the night. He assured her he would work out the problem the next morning. Ruth awoke early, before sunrise. Boaz wanting to protect her honor told Ruth to keep silent about her coming to him. He filled her cloak with grain to take to Naomi. Ruth went back to the city and showed Naomi what Boaz sent and told her of their plans. Naomi told Ruth to be patient, for she knew Boaz loved Ruth and would work things out that day.
Boaz went to the gate and sat down. The close relative he was speaking of came by, and Boaz invited him to sit and talk. He also asked the 10 elders of the city to come to this meeting as well. Boaz explained to the close relative that Naomi has returned and needs her property redeemed. If the closer relative did not wish to redeem the property Boaz would. The closer relative agreed to redeem the property. Boaz informed of the Moabite woman Ruth, she would need to be married to him to carry on the family name. The closer relative protested this agreement; afraid he would jeopardize his inheritance at that time. The closer relative removed his sandal, handed it to Boaz, to show Boaz could be the redeemer. Boaz addressed the elders and the people who had gathered. He told them they were his witnesses to redeeming the property and taking Ruth as his wife, they agreed.
The family name from Elimelech would continue. They showered praises of blessings upon Boaz. The people wished for he and Ruth to be happy, achieve wealth and that their family name be famous in Bethlehem down through the generations. Boaz and Ruth were married. God give them a son. Naomi had renewed faith with her grandson. She cared for the baby as if he were her own son. The neighbor women came to see them. A new baby in the home was such an important blessing. They praised God for Ruth and the blessing of the baby. The women let Naomi know how happy they were for her that God sent Boaz as a redeemer and now another redeemer would grow in their home. The women named him Obed, which means servant.
Obed's children through the generations would bear another baby who would be born a king and redeem the world....Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
