The book of Ruth has important insights found within its four chapters. It is
viewed to be written around 1011 to 931 B.C. Scholars think the events
happened around 1160 to 1100 B.C., the time of the latter days of Judges
(Ruth 1:1). According to the Talmud, the primary source of Jewish theology,
the prophet Samuel was the one who wrote the Book of Ruth. Such profound
wisdom in these four chapters will have to be explored.
Chapter 1
Elimelek from Bethlehem went to Moab with Naomi, his wife, and Mahlon
and Kilion, his two sons. Both of his sons eventually met and married Ruth and
Orpah.
God had to come to the aid of his people, which prompted Naomi to go
back to Bethlehem after all the misfortune she experienced: her husband had
died, which had been followed by the death of her two sons ten years later.
Naomi thought that God was against her, so she convinced her two
daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah, to leave her as she set out for Bethlehem.
Orpah tearfully left, ”but Ruth clung to her” (Ruth 1:14 NIV). Ruth’s
determination to stay with her swayed Naomi. When they reached Bethlehem,
she declared she should be named Mara from now on, which means “bitter” in
Hebrew.
The chapter talks about pain and suffering. God’s help to the Israelites and
the death of Naomi’s husband and son are such examples. For the Israelites in
Bethlehem, however, God has already lifted them from suffering, unlike Naomi
who still continued to suffer in pain and grief.
Chapter 2
The second chapter begins by introducing another character, someone to
whom Naomi is related: Boaz.
Ruth went to Boaz’s field to work, and Boaz noticed her when he arrived.
Boaz told Ruth that she should not work on anyone else’s field but his, offering
her his protection and promising her a drink whenever she would get thirsty.
He also asked Ruth to eat with him during mealtime. Boaz clearly was obeying
one of the laws of the Torah, which is to love foreigners (Deuteronomy 10:19
NIV). Boaz also said that he had taken notice of her and favored her for all the
good things she did for her mother-in-law after she became a widow.
When Ruth came back home and informed her mother-in-law about whose
field she worked in, Naomi confirmed that Boaz was indeed a good man who
shows “his kindness to the living and the dead.” (Ruth 2: 20 NIV). Naomi then
told Ruth Boaz was a guardian-redeemer of the clan.
The chapter shows that even in times of grief and suffering, it is still
important to do mundane work for one’s family regardless. In doing so, one
should remember to always show kindness, for it would make other people feel
more inclined to return the favor. Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi gave Boaz a
favorable impression of her. As long as one continues doing good, there would
be hope amid suffering.
Chapter 3
Naomi intended to make Boaz Ruth’s husband, as it is one of the
responsibilities of a guardian-redeemer to marry any relative who became a
widow.
Ruth told Boaz her intentions. Boaz, however, said that there was another
relative more closely related who was also a guardian-redeemer. He said if
that relative was unwilling, then he would marry her. Ruth agreed to that.
The main point of this chapter was Ruth’s humility and selflessness in
accepting whatever Naomi told her to do just for the eventual redemption of
her family. This is further pointed out by how Boaz was clearly pleased with her
selfless decision not to “run after the younger men, whether rich or poor” (Ruth
3:10 NIV).
Nowadays, people would rather love who they want to love over who God
wants for them. What Ruth did reflects what our society today wrongly thinks of
relationships. Although this chapter does not really define what true
relationships mean either, the chapter shows us that one must remain selfless
even when pursuing relationships or even marriage.
Chapter 4
The other guardian-redeemer did not want to take Ruth as his wife. Boaz
then declared that he would be the one redeeming Elimelek’s possessions and
take Ruth as his wife. Finally, Boaz became Ruth’s husband and eventually
had a son named Obed.
The chapter ends with a genealogy of David, showing how Obed was the
grandfather of David.
This chapter concluded the whole Book of Ruth. The first chapter talked
about grief and suffering while the last was about redemption and prosperity, a
contrast that reflects the ups and downs of life.
Conclusion
No matter what the circumstances are, it is important to always remain
loyal to loved ones, hardworking, kind, humble, and selfless, just like what
Ruth did. Even when one’s life is at its lowest, one should still try their best to
keep those good qualities so God could bless them.
For some reason, God was rarely mentioned in the Book, almost as if God
was not playing any role in their lives. This reflects a truth: in our day-to-day
lives, no matter how mundane, God is always pulling the strings to our destiny.
However, it is always up to us whether to follow God’s directions or not.
Ruth decided to stay good, and that’s why she was blessed, and through her,
Naomi, being another servant of God, finally experienced prosperity and
redemption, receiving a blessing in the form of a child name Obed.
Much grander than this story is the eventual birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord
and Savior, through her. The book of Ruth, after all, showed David’s
genealogy (Ruth 4:18-22 NIV), and Jesus Christ is known to be the
descendant of David. From this, it can be seen how every event leads to a
greater purpose that will serve God’s plan. In this particular story, Ruth and
Boaz’s marriage helped pave the way for the birth of Jesus Christ.
The next time something bad happens, we should think of the event’s
greater purpose.