The LORD repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge! (Ruth 2:11-12).
Naomi leaves Bethlehem with her husband and two sons because of a famine. After relocating to Moab, her husband dies. The sons marry Moabite women. Ten years pass and both sons die, leaving the three women destitute. Naomi, determined to return home alone, releases her daughters-in-law, trusting that they’re young enough to find new husbands in their homeland. But Ruth clings to her mother-in-law. Refusing to leave her, she says, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16). Although this passage is commonly used in weddings, the context isn’t directly about marriage. It’s about Ruth forsaking her family, culture, and gods to bind herself to Naomi, her people, and most importantly, to the God of Israel.
With no means of supporting themselves, Naomi and Ruth arrive in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest. Ruth gets to work gleaning in the fields of a man named Boaz, who is related to Naomi’s late husband. To fully comprehend what happens next, we need to understand the role of a kinsman-redeemer in ancient Israel. God gave his people laws to ensure widows were not abandoned. The next of kin had the responsibility to buy back (redeem) the late husband’s land, marry the widow, and preserve the family name. Boaz, being an honest man, realizes he isn’t the next of kin. He presents the situation to the man who is. This man, unwilling to impair his inheritance, relinquishes his rights. Boaz and Ruth marry. Ruth is fully embraced and honored among God’s people. Naomi’s bitter life is restored. The couple have a son, Obed, whose lineage leads to the birth of our redeemer, Jesus.
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight (Ephesians 1:7–8).
Thank you, God of Wisdom, for redeeming our lives and forgiving our sins by the blood of Jesus. We were hopeless and destitute but in your mercy you give us abundant life.
