Day 76. Ruth

At the end of the Book of Deuteronomy Moses admonishes the People of Israel to "choose life so that you and your descendents may live" (30:20). The Book of Ruth is the story of a foreign woman, a Gentile, who nevertheless chooses life and by her strength of character turns the disaster of being left husbandless and childless into a blessing for herself and for her adopted people.
The situation of widows in Bible times was a desperate one. When the texts tells us that Naomi is "left without her two sons and her husband" (1:5), it is summing up her hopeless circumstances. Childless widows were without protector or provider. Naomi had no choice but to return to her own family.
In many ways the Book of Ruth is a search for security (1:9 and 3:1). Naomi returns to her family for security. Orpah returned to her own home in search of security. What is remarkable about Ruth is that her love and loyalty to her mother-in-law is greater than her need for safety and she chooses love over security.
So she goes with Naomi back to Israel, to the town of Bethlehem. The women arrive there "at the beginning of the barley harvest" (1:22). Harvest is a sign of new life, and a new life begins for Ruth when she encounters "a prominent rich man" named Boaz, who also happens to be a near relative of Naomi's deceased husband Elimelech (2:1).
Note that the first words we hear from Boaz are the familiar "The Lord be with you" greeting he exchanges with the reapers (2:4). We use that greeting and response in church in much the same way it is used in the text—as an encouraging way of saying--"Go on and do your best. We are in this thing together."
In the midst of the brutalities with which the Book of Judges is filled, it is refreshing to encounter ordinary kindness and humanity found in the Book of Ruth. If Ruth shows courage and loyalty, Boaz comes across as a person of gentleness and generosity (2:8), sharing his plenty with the widow, as the Law of Moses commands. (By the way, an "ephah" (2:17) is two-thirds of a bushel.)
The incident at the threshing floor—chapter 3--is highly charged with sexuality. On one level it is scene of seduction. (In the Bible to "undercover his feet" is a euphemism for uncovering his genitals—see 3:4.) On another level, Ruth's bold approach is a way to remind Boaz of his legal obligation as next of kin under the law of "levirate marriage" (Deuteronomy 25:5-10) to take the widow of his near kinsman as wife, and provide her with children.
Boaz, being a righteous man—and also because he is obviously attracted to Ruth--takes his obligation seriously (3:13). After the obstacle of the actual "next of kin" is dealt with, Ruth becomes the wife of Boaz and a child is born to them. The story ends with an affirmation of life. The women of the neighborhood say—"A son has been born to Naomi" (4:17). Out of hopeless disaster has come the promise of a future.
The child of Ruth and Boaz is Obed, the grandfather of King David, and thus an ancestor of our Lord. The story of the remarkable Moabite woman named Ruth affirms the truth that the LORD is not only the God of the Jews, but of all those who live in obedience to God. There is always a place in His plan and among His people for those who show loyalty and love, wherever they may found.