Ruth was a young woman from the land of Moab, who had lost everything. Her husband had died, and she was left alone with her mother-in-law, Naomi, in a foreign land. Naomi was also grieving, having lost her husband and two sons. She decided to return to her homeland, Bethlehem, and Ruth decided to go with her.
The journey was long and difficult, but Ruth was determined to stay by Naomi’s side. When they arrived in Bethlehem, Ruth began to work hard to provide for them both. She went to the fields to glean, picking up the leftover grain from the harvesters. It was hard work, but Ruth was grateful for the opportunity to provide for herself and Naomi.
One day, while she was gleaning in the fields, Ruth caught the eye of a man named Boaz. Boaz was a wealthy landowner, and he was impressed by Ruth’s hard work and her loyalty to Naomi. He spoke to her kindly and offered her extra grain to take home.
Over time, Boaz and Ruth grew closer. Boaz was impressed by Ruth’s faith and her courage in the face of adversity. He saw in her the qualities of a true leader, and he knew that she was destined for greatness.
Eventually, Boaz and Ruth were married, and they had a son named Obed. Obed would go on to become the father of Jesse, who would become the father of King David.
Ruth’s story is a testament to the power of love and faith. She was a woman who had lost everything, but she never lost her faith in God. She worked hard and stayed true to her values, and she was rewarded with a loving husband and a place in history. Her story reminds us that no matter how difficult our circumstances may be, we can always find hope and strength in our faith.
Biblical Reference
Ruth 1:1-22: This chapter introduces us to Naomi, her husband Elimelech, and their two sons Mahlon and Chilion. When they move from Bethlehem to Moab due to a famine in the land, both sons marry Moabite women named Orpah and Ruth. Tragically, all three men die within ten years.
Ruth 2:1-23: In this chapter, we see how Ruth goes out into the fields to glean grain for herself and Naomi. She ends up working in Boaz’s field; he is a relative of Naomi’s late husband.
Ruth 3:1-18: At Naomi’s urging, Ruth goes to Boaz at night on the threshing floor (a place where grain was separated from its husks) and asks him to marry her according to ancient custom. Boaz agrees but must first check with another relative who has closer ties to Naomi before he can officially become her kinsman-redeemer.
Ruth 4:1-22: In this final chapter, Boaz successfully redeems both Naomi’s property (which had been sold during hard times) as well as marrying Ruth thus becoming an ancestor of Jesus Christ.