Bible Character Spotlight: Ruth

Sometimes Christianity gets accused of being a sexist religion. That impression isn’t helped by the fact that many of the most prominent characters in the Bible are men. All the characters that this blog has shined a spotlight on so far have been men, but that all changes with Ruth. It is a book of the Bible that covers the lives of two women: Naomi and Ruth.

The story starts grimly. Naomi experiences quite a bit of loss.

Now Elimelek, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. 4 They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, 5 both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband. - Ruth 1:3-5

They were all living in Moab at the time. Ruth in her sadness was preparing to send her daughters-in-law away and return to Bethlehem to be with her people. She believed that the Lord had turned against her, and she didn’t want the girls to have to share in the bitterness that she expected to face going forward. She urged them to go back to their people and their gods. Orpah left her mother-in-law as instructed, but Ruth refused.

But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. 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. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her. - Ruth 1:16-18

Right away, we see that Ruth is a loyal person. She was a young woman, and it probably would have been a better choice for her to stay in Moab. It was her home and a place with which she was familiar. She still had the opportunity to find a husband and live a good life, but she chose instead to stay with Naomi. To some extent she probably felt dutybound, but she also saw that her mother-in-law was hurting from her losses, and Ruth did not want to leave Naomi alone. We also see that she was loyal to God. She didn't just follow him because she was married into the Faith. Even when that obligation was no longer in effect, she chose to follow God on her own volition.

Ruth was a person of good character and it showed. Eventually, Naomi and Ruth found themselves at the residence of one of Naomi’s relatives, a man named Boaz. Naomi and Ruth needed to survive despite not having husbands who were traditionally the breadwinners. Ruth, without hesitation, decided to work for Boaz for a while. Boaz noticed and took interest in her right away. He was particularly impressed with the loyalty that she had shown Naomi. Boaz showed Ruth favor and protection and promised her long term work.

Ruth’s goodness became well known amongst all the people in the area and Boaz continued to notice.

“The Lord bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character. Although it is true that I am a guardian-redeemer of our family, there is another who is more closely related than I. Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to do his duty as your guardian-redeemer, good; let him redeem you. But if he is not willing, as surely as the Lord lives I will do it. Lie here until morning.” - Ruth 3:10-13

Guardian-redeemers were relatives with great influence that were able to help family members, particularly those who were in danger of losing their family line and possession. Naomi was in just such a position given that she had lost both her husband and sons. Boaz did not bear the duty duty of a guardian-redeemer towards Naomi and Ruth, but he was so impressed by Ruth and her character that he felt the need to make sure that Ruth and Naomi were cared for. He didn’t just stop at becoming their guardian-redeemer. He married Ruth and ensured that both Ruth and Naomi would live well.

So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When he made love to her, the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. The women said to Naomi: “Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.” - Ruth 4:13-15

Ruth’s story was simple and straightforward, but it was packed full of good lessons. Ruth was not originally a follower of God, but she eventually became a perfect example of a Godly person. That shows us that it doesn’t matter where you come from, anyone who accepts God will be better for it. Ruth’s story also teaches us about the importance of loyalty and sacrifice. Maybe Ruth could have benefitted from leaving as Orpah did, but she didn’t. She wasn’t as concerned about her own well-being as she was about Naomi’s, and in the end God blessed her for her goodness. Naomi also learned a lesson that we all need to learn at times. Just because we face loss and hard times doesn’t mean God has turned on us. We just have to keep our faith and persevere knowing that God has a plan. Naomi thought she had lost everything including God’s favor. She didn’t realize that God had already blessed her life by adding Ruth to it, and in the end she may have gained more because of that blessing than she ever lost.

Chris Lawyer

Image Courtesy of Arlington Community Church website