Ruth And Boaz: The Story Unfolds Series

My friend has written a book with this title; His story in our story for his glory. That could be the theme for the life of Ruth. Ruth is from the worst family line in the Bible. She is a Moabite cursed to the tenth generation. Ruth places her faith in the God of Israel, and she is about to undergo epic transformation to the glory of God. She is about to enter the most important family line in the history of Israel. She becomes the great-grandmother of King David.

Ruth the Moabite woman is one of the first names mentioned in the New Testament (Matthew 1:6). How did this happen? What is her story? In Ruth chapter 3 the story is unfolding. The story of her redemption is revealed.

The Book of Ruth begins introducing Elimelech from Bethlehem. It takes place during the time of the Judges and there is a famine in Bethlehem. Elimelech and his wife Naomi go to Moab because there is no food for them in Bethlehem. Naomi has bitter experiences in Moab. Her husband dies. Her two sons marry Moabite women and then both of her sons die. Naomi says, "The Almighty has dealt bitterly with me." (1:20)

But there is a bright spot in Ruth chapter 1. It is this Moabite woman, Ruth. She remains faithful to Naomi, puts her faith in the God of Israel and returns to Bethlehem with Naomi. We also find out in chapter 1 that Ruth and Naomi arrive to Bethlehem at the time of Barley harvest. This is going to change their lives. This is the story of Ruth’s redemption unfolding.

In Ruth Chapter 2 we see how God uses the unlikely. We see grace, we see kindness. It says that Ruth “happened” to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz. By “happened” we understand that God is orchestrating everything. Now Naomi is asking God to bless Boaz who has shown them such kindness. (2:20).

Boaz made arrangements that Ruth get exceedingly more grain that would ordinarily come from gleaning. He fed her and provided water for her. Naomi was overwhelmed by what was unfolding. Naomi has a plan to bring even more blessing to all from the kindness of Boaz. Naomi was alive with hope. Her faith is strong, and she is ready for action.

One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided for. 2 Now Boaz, with whose women you have worked, is a relative of ours. Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. 3 Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do.” (Ruth 3:1-4)

The plan Ruth has will provide a home for Ruth. Boaz is their relative. He is what is called their kinsman redeemer. Already there was a law in Leviticus called the laws of gleaning that provided for the poor and destitute. That is why Ruth was gleaning, but Boaz in his kindness had provided way beyond the law.

Now again there is a law in Leviticus that will be part of the story of Ruth’s redemption. “If one of your fellow Israelites becomes poor and sells some of their property, their nearest relative is to come and redeem what they have sold” (Leviticus 25:25). Naomi and Boaz are relatives. Not only is Boaz the one to redeem their property, but this would make him the eligible husband for Ruth.

Naomi lays out the plan. Ruth is to prepare herself. Naomi tells Ruth to put on her best clothes, perfume and go to Boaz’s threshing floor. When he lies down uncover his feet and do whatever he tells you to do.

5 “I will do whatever you say,” Ruth answered. 6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do. 7 When Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he went over to lie down at the far end of the grain pile. Ruth approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down. 8 In the middle of the night something startled the man; he turned—and there was a woman lying at his feet! 9 “Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family.”

Ruth is going to do everything Naomi has told her to do. It is a bold step, to uncover Boaz feet in the middle of the night while he is sleeping, but she trusts her mother-in-law completely. When he awakes and asks who it is she tells him. I am Ruth and you are my kinsman redeemer. Boaz may not have thought this through the way Naomi had. The kinsman redeemer concept is begun. The story is unfolding to the glory of God.