© Illustration by Michael Woodruff
Bible Personalities: Ruth
Ruth lived in the land of Moab. An Israelite family, Elimelech, his wife Naomi and their two sons, moved to Moab to escape famine. Mahlon, one of the sons, married Ruth.
Over time, all three men died. When Naomi learned that better times had come to Israel she determined to return to Bethlehem. Naomi advised her daughters-in-law to remain in Moab. It would be hard to find new husbands in Israel. However, Ruth insisted on going. “Wherever you go, I will go: and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God” (Ruth 1:16).
The two ladies returned at the time of Pentecost harvest. Ruth asked Naomi’s permission to exercise the right to glean grain. God guided her to the fields of an upstanding kinsman (close relative), Boaz. Boaz instructed her to glean only in his fields and stay close to his young women. Consequently, Ruth gleaned not just the field corners but from his main crops. Boaz took note of Ruth’s loyalty to her mother-in-law which was reported to him.
It would seem that there was a connection between these two people of strong character. So Naomi instructed Ruth in carrying out a social custom of the time. That custom allowed a kinsman to claim Naomi’s land inheritance. Also he could claim as his bride the widow of the dead kinsman. Boaz wished to do so but had to recognize the right of a closer kinsman first. Boaz went to him and the nearer kinsman declined.
So Boaz and Ruth, the Moabitess, married. They gave birth to Obed and Ruth became the great-great-grandmother of King David. This faithful, loyal, gentile woman was a direct ancestor of Jesus Christ. Discover more amazing details about Ruth's remarkable life at:
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