Ruth is a significant figure in the Bible, known for her loyalty, faithfulness, and the unique role she plays in the lineage of King David and ultimately Jesus Christ. Her story is found in the Book of Ruth in the Old Testament.
Key Points about Ruth:
Background: Ruth was a Moabite woman, which means she was from the land of Moab, a region east of Israel. Moabites were often considered outsiders by the Israelites.
Marriage to Mahlon: Ruth married Mahlon, one of the sons of Elimelech and Naomi, an Israelite family that had moved to Moab due to a famine in Israel. After the deaths of her husband, father-in-law, and brother-in-law, Ruth was left a widow along with her mother-in-law, Naomi, and her sister-in-law, Orpah.
Loyalty to Naomi: When Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem in Israel, she urged her daughters-in-law to return to their families in Moab. Orpah eventually did, but Ruth refused to leave Naomi, uttering the famous words:
“Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried” (Ruth 1:16-17).
Life in Bethlehem: Ruth and Naomi returned to Bethlehem, where they were poor and had to rely on gleaning—gathering leftover grain in the fields after harvest—to survive. Ruth gleaned in the fields of a wealthy and kind man named Boaz, who was a relative of Naomi’s late husband.
Marriage to Boaz: Boaz noticed Ruth’s dedication and kindness to Naomi and showed her favor. Following Naomi’s advice, Ruth approached Boaz at the threshing floor in a gesture that was both bold and culturally appropriate to request his protection and marriage. Boaz agreed to marry Ruth, but first ensured that the closer kinsman-redeemer had no interest in redeeming Ruth (Ruth 4:1-10).
Ancestry of David: Ruth and Boaz married and had a son named Obed, who became the grandfather of King David. This placed Ruth in the direct lineage of David and ultimately Jesus Christ, as mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 1:5-6).
Legacy: Ruth is celebrated for her faithfulness, kindness, and the way she embraced the God of Israel, despite being a foreigner. Her story is often seen as a testament to God’s inclusive love and the way He works through unexpected people and circumstances to fulfill His purposes.
Ruth’s story is one of devotion, redemption, and divine providence, illustrating how God can use ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.
