RUT

Book of Ruth

Ruth, written by Unknown (possibly Samuel)

Old Testamentnarrative Audio available4 Chapters85 verses
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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 in Ruth

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Outline of Ruth

1Ruth's Choice

Naomi loses her husband and sons in Moab; Ruth commits to return with Naomi to Bethlehem.

2Ruth's Work

Ruth gleans in Boaz's field; Boaz shows her kindness as a relative of Naomi's family.

3Ruth's Proposal

At Naomi's instruction, Ruth approaches Boaz at the threshing floor to request his role as kinsman-redeemer.

4Ruth's Redemption

Boaz redeems Ruth and Naomi's land, marries Ruth, and they become ancestors of David.

Key Themes in Ruth

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 in Ruth

RUT 1:16-17
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.

RUT 2:12
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.

RUT 4:14
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.

Characters in Ruth

Ruth
Ruth

Faithful Moabite woman who becomes great-grandmother of King David

Naomi
Naomi

Israelite widow who returns from Moab to Bethlehem with Ruth

Boaz
Boaz

Wealthy kinsman who redeems Ruth and becomes ancestor of David

Locations in Ruth

Bethlehem
Bethlehem

Naomi's hometown where she returns with Ruth and where the story unfolds

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Moab
Moab

Land east of the Dead Sea where Naomi's family had fled during famine and where Ruth was from

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Christ in Ruth

Boaz as Kinsman-Redeemer

Boaz pictures Christ, who became our kinsman through incarnation and redeemed us from sin's slavery and spiritual poverty.

GAL 4:4-5

Ruth 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 1:5

Seeking Refuge Under God's Wings

Ruth finding refuge under God's wings pictures how believers find salvation in Christ.

MAT 23:37

From 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

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