Ruth 1:1-2- Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.
One family decided that it would be wise to leave the Promised Land and go to the land of the Moabites during the famine. But, they didn't have a happy ending.
Ruth 1:3-5- And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.
The wife, Naomi, stayed in Moab for 10 years. She watched her husband die, then both of her sons die. She decided it was time for her to return home.
Ruth 1:6-9- Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread. Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah. And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me. The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.
Naomi told her daughters-in-law to go back to their father's house. She knew they could find other men to marry and have a family. One went back, but the other one wanted to stay with Naomi.
Ruth 1:14, 16-18- And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her. And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.
Ruth saw that Naomi and her family were different from how she was raised. She knew that she wanted to be with Naomi, because she wanted what the Lord could give.
Ruth 1:22- So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.
Naomi and Ruth went back to Naomi's home town of Bethlehem.
Ruth 2:1-3- And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz. And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter. And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.
Ruth and Naomi had to work to live. Ruth went into the local farm and gathered up whatever she could find lying on the ground- this was called gleaning.
The law that Moses had given said that if anyone was a widow, like Naomi and Ruth, they were allowed to go into another person's field and pick up anything that the farmers had missed. The Law said that the farmers had to let them have it.
Ruth 2:4-9- And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The LORD be with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee. Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this? And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab: And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house. Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens: Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.
The owner of the field came out and saw Ruth gleaning. He asked his farmers about her, and then he went to talk to her. He told her that she could come to his field whenever she wanted, and if she stayed only in his field he would protect her. He would even allow her to drink from the farmers water.
Ruth didn't understand this. Her country wasn't like this. She had never had a stranger be kind to her like this man was!
Ruth 2:10-13- Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger? And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust. Then she said, Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens.
The man, Boaz, told Ruth that he heard how she had left her family and her country to come with Naomi, even when she didn't have to. He told her that he hoped the Lord would bless her for her decision.
She was so grateful to this stranger! He even let her thresh out and grind what she had gathered, and eat with the farmers before heading home.
Ruth 2:14-18- And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left. And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not: And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not. So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley. And she took it up, and went into the city: and her mother in law saw what she had gleaned: and she brought forth, and gave to her that she had reserved after she was sufficed.
Boaz not only provided Ruth with a place to work and protection, but he went above that and told his farmers to drop a little extra for her. When she had finished working, she brought all that she had gleaned home to Naomi.
Ruth was going to take care of Naomi. She made sure that there was enough food for Naomi.
Naomi wanted to make sure that Ruth was rewarded for her faithfulness. When Naomi heard that Boaz had been kind to Ruth, she advised Ruth to stay only in Boaz' fields. Naomi had a plan!
Ruth 2:23- So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.
Ruth 3:1-5- Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee? And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor. Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: [but] make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking. And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do. And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.
Ruth was a young lady. Everyone in town knew the story of how her husband had died, but she had come with her mother-in-law and was taking care of her. Months had passed and the people of Bethlehem town were learning that Ruth was a wonderful person.
Ruth didn't know much about the customs of Israel because she was a Moabite. She was going to have to trust Naomi to tell her what to do. And she was going to have to obey no matter how strange it sounded.
Naomi told Ruth to get a bath and then go down to the threshing floor where Boaz would be. Naomi told Ruth to wait until he laid down to sleep and then to uncover his feet and lay down by them. Does this sound strange to you? I bet it sounded strange to Ruth, too! But, she obeyed.
Ruth 3:6-11- And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her. And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down. And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet. And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman. And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.
Boaz wasn't a young man. He had spent his life taking care of his farm and his workers. I believe that Boaz was waiting for God to show him who to marry.
Ruth was obeying her mother-in-law. Boaz took note of this. He knew that God was leading, and he knew that Ruth was a virtuous woman who would be a wonderful wife! So, he told her he would take care of what needed to be taken care of.
Ruth 3:14-18- And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor. Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city. And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her. And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law. Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.
Boaz had some business to do. In Israel when a person dies, their family can take over their possessions. Boaz knew that to marry Ruth, he had to make sure that the other person who could claim Naomi's possessions was okay with it.
Ruth 4:1-4a, 6 - Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down. And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down. And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's: And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee. And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.
Boaz got the elders of the city and the man who could buy Naomi's possessions together. He asked them man if he wanted it, and then he told the elders that would be willing to marry Ruth. This was what had to happen for Boaz and Ruth to get together.
Boaz was willing to do all the tedious legal work to be able to marry Ruth, because he believed this was the woman that God wanted him to be with. And God worked it all out!
Boaz remained faithful to work his field until God showed him the woman to marry. Ruth stayed faithful to work hard and take care of her mother-in-law instead of running around looking for another husband. And because of their faithfulness, God worked everything out for both of their good.
Ruth 4:13- So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son.
Not only did God bring Boaz and Ruth together, but he gave them a son. Naomi was blessed with a grandchild after all the sadness in her life.
Ruth 4:16-17- And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it. And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
