Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

“No one has greater love than this: that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Ruth proves her love for Naomi by doing just this. This short book, almost a parable, is a love story. Not really between Boaz and Ruth – although they decided to love each other. But between Ruth and Naomi. As an allegory, Jesus plays the role of redeemer (Boaz), but He is just as strongly to be found in the role of Ruth: the one who gave up everything to serve and provide the way to the possibility of redemption. This is a Messianic book from beginning to end, and it is full of the pure (completely unsexual) love that can exist between humanity. It is a beautiful book.

It is believed to have been written between 1011 and 931 B.C. by an author traditionally considered to be Samuel. It happens during the time that the judges were judged, a time when everyone did what they wanted to because of the corruption of the judges set up to guide them (the civil government, not the prophets sent by God) – Judges 21:23; Ruth 1:1. The Land was experiencing a famine and Elimelek led his family OUT of Bethlehem in Judah to Moab, enemies of Israel at this point (Judges 3:12-30). This book is in direct contrast with the book of Judges. Judges records Israel as repeatedly despising God to practise idolatry. Ruth records the forsaking of idolatry to embrace worship of God and the DIRECT blessing that occurs because of it. Ruth is also one of only two books in the bible that does not directly include God (Esther being the other). This book is full of redemption and mercy and CLEARLY demonstrates God’s heart for those who are not His covenant people (the Gentiles).

Although this is a book ABOUT Ruth, Naomi is the one who learns the greatest lessons. She goes from bitterness to joy. She goes from seeing God as one who AFFLICTS to one who shows kindness, love, and a faithful caring (all from a place of mercy). She begins by thinking HE is hardhearted and in the end sees her OWN hard heart melt (Ezekiel 36:26). Through this journey, she comes to see herself again as a part of Israel, not a beggar hanging onto its coattails. There is also a tradition in Jewish teachings that while Ruth becomes an ancestor of King David, the other daughter-in-law of Naomi (Orpah) becomes an ancestor of Goliath and his brothers.

Chapter one sets the stage, introduces the characters, and summarizes the initial tragedy. Naomi’s husband takes her and her two sons to Moab – to avoid a famine on Israel – where they find wives. Subsequently, the three males die and the three females are left destitute. Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem. She convinces Orpah to return to her people, but Ruth will not be swayed. She leaves behind EVERYTHING. She rejects her people and their gods in favour of Naomi and her God. Out of her love for Naomi, she refuses to be parted and insists on experiencing everything Naomi experiences side by side. They get home during the spring barley harvest.

Chapter two shows Ruth willing to go into the fields as a stranger and beggar to glean behind the harvesters (Leviticus 23:22). She is willing and DOES anything she can to care for Naomi and make her life better. This determination gets noticed, especially by the owner of the fields who is an older man named Boaz (and traditionally taught as a recent widow, though the scriptures say nothing of his status beyond being single). He is probably somewhere between thirty and forty, not an aged old man. Boaz ensures she has a place to glean, gets meals with himself and his workers, and can turn to them if anyone bothers her. She is accepted because of her godly attitude toward Naomi and all she has done for her mother-in-law.

Chapter three finds Naomi discovering the identity of their benefactor. He is one of their redeemers (Leviticus 25:25). Someone who was related who could come and get back property that might otherwise leave the family bloodline because of a sale. They also were prime candidates for ensuring an heir for the deceased when they had no children (Deuteronomy 25:5). Naomi has Ruth approach Boaz in private to give him the opportunity. He isn’t against it, but points out someone else has a stronger claim. He promises to make sure that one of the two of them WILL redeem her (and Naomi’s husband’s property) and ensure a better life for them.

Chapter four shows Boaz going to the city gate where the elders of the town met for business (Job 29:7). He tells the other man what the deal is, but the other man is unwilling to father an heir for Naomi’s deceased son and allows Boaz to redeem. Which he does with all the town’s men as witnesses. He then marries Ruth, begets a child to be raised as the heir of Naomi (and her husband), and gives the women back their status as wives and mothers in Israel. Ruth is now completely converted into an Israelite wife and her child becomes the grandfather of King David – making Ruth his great-grandmother. There is even a tradition that she was alive when David and Solomon were, and that SHE was the one who Solomon set up a throne for in his throneroom (1 Kings 2:19) – although, again, there is no record if it in scripture (most assume the ‘mother of the king’ mentioned is Bathsheeba, but ANY female ancestor would be able to be called the mother of the king) and it seems to be just a nice story. Who knows? She certainly deserved the honour for all her sacrifice and demonstration of true love.

Summary

Key Players: Ruth, Naomi, Boaz.

Key Verse(s): Ruth 1:16-18; 2:10-16; 3:10-18; 4:11-22