Ruth
Unknown (possibly Samuel)
Ruth tells the story of a Moabite woman who chooses to follow her Israelite mother-in-law Naomi back to Bethlehem after both women become widows. Through her faithfulness and the kindness of Boaz, a kinsman-redeemer, Ruth finds a new home and becomes the great-grandmother of King David. The book demonstrates God's providential care and His inclusion of Gentiles in His redemptive plan.
Chapters
Book Outline
Naomi loses her husband and sons in Moab; Ruth commits to return with Naomi to Bethlehem.
Ruth gleans in Boaz's field; Boaz shows her kindness as a relative of Naomi's family.
At Naomi's instruction, Ruth approaches Boaz at the threshing floor to request his role as kinsman-redeemer.
Boaz redeems Ruth and Naomi's land, marries Ruth, and they become ancestors of David.
Key Themes
Faithful Love (Hesed)
The Hebrew concept of loyal, covenant love is demonstrated through Ruth's devotion to Naomi and Boaz's kindness to Ruth.
Divine Providence
God works behind the scenes through ordinary circumstances to accomplish His purposes.
Kinsman-Redeemer
Boaz fulfills the role of goel, redeeming Ruth and Naomi from poverty and childlessness, pointing to Christ.
Inclusion of Gentiles
Ruth the Moabite is welcomed into Israel and becomes part of the Messianic line, showing God's global plan.
Key Verses
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.
Ruth's beautiful declaration of loyalty to Naomi and commitment to Israel's God.
May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.
Boaz's blessing on Ruth, acknowledging her faith in the God of Israel.
Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer.
The women's praise recognizing God's provision of a redeemer for Naomi.
Main Characters
Biblical Locations
Connection to Christ
Boaz as Kinsman-Redeemer
Boaz pictures Christ, who became our kinsman through incarnation and redeemed us from sin's slavery and spiritual poverty.
GAL 4:4-5Ruth in the Genealogy of Christ
Ruth is one of four women mentioned in Matthew's genealogy of Jesus, showing God's grace to outsiders.
MAT 1:5Seeking Refuge Under God's Wings
Ruth finding refuge under God's wings pictures how believers find salvation in Christ.
MAT 23:37From Moab to Messianic Line
A Gentile woman becoming part of Christ's ancestry shows God's plan to include all nations in salvation.
EPH 2:11-13