Ruth

Ruth

The Hebrew Scriptures record the history of a gentile woman named Ruth. Because of a famine in Israel, Naomi, her husband, and her two sons moved to the heathen country of Moab.

Naomi's husband died and her two sons married two Moabite women named Orpah and Ruth.

When Naomi's sons died, she prepared to return to Bethlehem. Naomi's two daughters-in-law loved her and wanted to stay with her. After Naomi encouraged them to stay with their people Orpah kissed Naomi and returned home crying. Ruth, on the other hand, had love, not only for Naomi, but also for Naomi's God, the God of Israel. Ruth became what is known as a spiritual Jew.

When Ruth and Naomi reached Bethlehem Ruth went into a field to collect the grain that was left over after the field had been harvested. She worked on a field that belonged to a man who loved the LORD named Boaz. When Boaz saw how hard Ruth worked he asked her not to go into anyone else's field, and he allowed her to collect grain from even the areas which had not yet been harvested. When Ruth had finished working that day she brought the grain to her mother-in-law Naomi and told her about her experience with Boaz. Naomi praised God because Boaz was a relative of Naomi's deceased husband.

Now it was customary for the nearest relative to take the responsibility of marrying the spouse of a deceased relative. Naomi encouraged Ruth to find out if Boaz had any intentions of marring her. Ruth did as her mother-in-law told her. Boaz told Ruth that there was another man who was actually a closer relative than he was and that he would find out what this man's intentions were. If this other relative did not want to marry Ruth then he promised her that as the Lord lives, he would redeem her as his wife.

Boaz spoke with the man in the presence of ten witnesses. The man declined the offer, making Boaz the nearest relative. Boaz redeemed Ruth from her widowhood, making her his bride. Ruth and Boaz had a son and named him Obed. Obed later became the grandfather of King David.

Isn't that interesting that King David's Great grandmother was not a Jew. It is also interesting how Boaz had to wait to redeem Ruth until he became the nearest relative. That is why the Messiah had to become a human being before he could redeem us to heaven.

Picture originally found here

Related Articles

More From Articles

Who Causes Evil?

One of the greatest objections to the belief in God is the existence of evil.
Who Causes Evil?
Power to Change

Power to Change

We all have habits, both good and bad. It's a fact of life. The question is how we can change…
Power to Change

Elisha and Naaman

Naaman, an army commander of Syria, brought back a young Israelite girl to be a servant after…
Elisha and Naaman

Moses, the Problem Solver

As I was growing up, and old enough to read the Torah, I always felt sorry for Moses. The…
Moses, the Problem Solver

The Forbidden Chapter: Isaiah 53

Isaiah 53 is banned literature in many synagogues and is often omitted from rabbinical training…
The Forbidden Chapter: Isaiah 53

Torah Lessons

It is sad to see that people seem to be increasingly considering it inappropriate for anyone to…
Torah Lessons
Angel of the Lord

Angel of the Lord

Angel of the Lord is mentioned 52 times in the Hebrew Scriptures. It was the Angel of the Lord…
Angel of the Lord
Illustration: Job, covered with boils, sits listening to his friends.

What Does it Cost to be Faithful?

The ancient story of Job in the Bible has encouraged many men and women throughout the ages.…
What Does it Cost to be Faithful?
Adonijah at the horns of the Alter

This Fool Didn't Know When to Stop

“Now Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. So she said, ‘Do you…
This Fool Didn't Know When to Stop

You Are Redeemable

“Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there; and behold, the close relative of whom Boaz…
You Are Redeemable
Solomon

Solomon

King Solomon was the third king of Israel and is known as the wisest man who ever lived.…
Solomon

Torah-Cursed Blessings

The Jewish Bible gives us a serious warning, "'And now, O priests, this commandment is for you.…
Torah-Cursed Blessings
Learn More about the Sanctuary's Linen Walls

Tabernacle: White Linen Court

The walls of the wilderness Sanctuary were made from fine linen that the Israelites brought…
Tabernacle: White Linen Court

God Called Moses

Have you ever felt that you could not accomplish something important?
God Called Moses

Elijah

Around the year 900 BCE, when Israel was not following the Lord, God sent the Jewish prophet…
Elijah

Publish the Menu module to "offcanvas" position. Here you can publish other modules as well.
Learn More.


donation