RUTH: Loyalty in the Midst of Uncertainty

 

The story of Ruth never fails to amaze me every time I read it. The book is short—you can finish it in 10–15 minutes—and its story is simple to summarize. Yet Ruth stands out as a remarkable character, a woman with a beautiful spirit. No wonder God Himself authored her love story.

FAMILY IN FAMINE

The story begins with a family forced to leave their homeland to escape famine. This took place during the time of the judges (Ruth 1:1)—a period of chaos when “everyone did what was right in their own eyes” (Judges 21:25). Perhaps for Elimelek, his wife Naomi, and their two sons, leaving the Promised Land seemed like the right thing to do.

In Moab, Elimelek died, leaving Naomi a widow. Her two sons eventually married Moabite women—Orpah and Ruth, the heroine of our story (Ruth 1:3). But tragedy struck again: both sons died (1:5), leaving Naomi with only her two daughters-in-law.

FACING THE ROAD OF UNCERTAINTY

Too old to remarry or build a new family, Naomi decided to return to her homeland. Widows in that time were among the most vulnerable in society—without husbands or sons, they had little hope of support. Orpah and Ruth, however, were still young (likely in their mid- to late-20s) and could start fresh lives with new husbands.

Naomi, a loving mother-in-law, urged them to return to their families and begin again (1:8–13). On the road to Judah, the three wept together (1:14). After years of shared life and sorrow, this could be their final goodbye.Orpah eventually chose to return home, but Ruth clung to Naomi with extraordinary loyalty:

“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. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” (1:16–17)

Her devotion was not only to Naomi, but to Naomi’s God.

FAITH IN FOREIGN LAND

Ruth accompanied Naomi back to Bethlehem, fully aware that her mother-in-law had no one else to rely on. Ruth chose the life of a foreigner—and chose to put her trust in Naomi’s God. To provide for them, Ruth volunteered to glean barley left behind by harvesters (2:2). According to God’s law, farmers were to leave the edges of their fields for the poor and foreigners (Lev. 19:9–10; Deut. 24:19–22). Yet because this was the lawless period of the judges, not everyone obeyed. For Ruth—a widowed foreign woman—gleaning was not only humbling but also dangerous. She risked rejection, harassment, and even violence.

But God was at work.

FATED BY GOD

In God’s providence, Ruth ended up in the field of Boaz, a man of noble character who also happened to be a relative of Naomi (2:3). At just the right moment, Boaz arrived and noticed her (2:4–7). In a classic love story fashion, the man made the first move, showing kindness and protection to Ruth (2:8–9).

Naomi, now playing the part of “stage mother,” guided Ruth with wisdom to nurture this new relationship (2:20–23; 3:1–4). Ruth followed her advice, even boldly proposing to Boaz by asking him to spread his garment over her (3:9)—a symbolic request for marriage. Far from being passive, Ruth took initiative, showing courage and faith. Boaz accepted, but he knew there was another relative with a stronger legal claim to act as Ruth’s redeemer (3:12–13). It seems Boaz had long considered marrying Ruth, since he already knew of this obstacle. Still, he acted honorably, resolving the matter openly (4:1–9).

In the end, Boaz and Ruth were married and blessed with a son, Obed—the grandfather of King David (4:19–22). From this line, the Messiah would one day be born (Matt. 1:5).

______

The story of Ruth reveals how God orchestrates circumstances for those who walk in faithfulness. Ruth’s devotion to her first husband extended to her care for Naomi, and this loyalty caught Boaz’s attention (2:6, 8–9; 3:11). Her story reminds us that God gives second chances. Ruth lost her husband young, but God gave her a new family. Naomi once thought her life was over (1:20–21), but her sorrow turned to joy as she held her grandson in her arms (4:16–17). Most remarkable of all, Ruth—a Moabite outsider—was honored as an ancestor of the Messiah Himself. God exalts the humble and lifts up the lowly.

Life is uncertain. Losses come suddenly, and roads ahead are unclear. But like Ruth and Naomi, we can take comfort in knowing we serve the same God—faithful, sovereign, and full of mercy. Stay Curious.