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Ruth — Ruth in the Field of Boaz — Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld

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Ruth

Moabite Ancestor of Christ

c. 1100 BC

Ruth in the Field of Boaz — Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld

Biography

Ruth was a Moabite widow who chose to follow her Israelite mother-in-law Naomi back to Bethlehem. Her declaration of loyalty—"Where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God"—remains one of Scripture's most beautiful expressions of covenant commitment. In Bethlehem, Ruth gleaned in the fields of Boaz, a wealthy relative of Naomi's deceased husband. Boaz noticed her, protected her, and provided generously for her. Following Naomi's advice, Ruth approached Boaz at the threshing floor, asking him to act as kinsman-redeemer. Boaz married Ruth after the nearer kinsman declined his right. Their son Obed became the grandfather of King David, placing this Gentile convert in the lineage of Christ. Ruth's story demonstrates that God's grace extends to all nations and that faith, not ethnicity, determines belonging to God's people.

Ruth in one verse
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→

Ruth's declaration of loyalty

Key events

  1. 1
    Chose to follow NaomiRuth 1:16-18→

    Ruth pledged loyalty to Naomi and her God

    Read the verse here
    Ruth 1:16-18

    But Ruth replied: “Do not urge me to leave you or to turn from following you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.

  2. 2
    Gleaned in Boaz's fieldRuth 2:1-23→

    Boaz showed favor to Ruth in his fields

    Read the verse here
    Ruth 2:1-23

    Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side, a prominent man of noble character from the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz.

  3. 3
    Approached BoazRuth 3:1-18→

    Ruth asked Boaz to be her kinsman-redeemer

    Read the verse here
    Ruth 3:1-18

    One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, should I not seek a resting place for you, that it may be well with you?

  4. 4
    Married BoazRuth 4:13→

    Boaz redeemed Ruth and married her

    Read the verse here
    Ruth 4:13

    So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And when he had relations with her, the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.

  5. 5
    Bore ObedRuth 4:13-17→

    Ruth's son became David's grandfather

    Read the verse here
    Ruth 4:13-17

    So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And when he had relations with her, the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.

More key verses

“The LORD repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the LORD, the God of Israel.”
Ruth 2:12— Boaz's blessing on Ruth's faith

What they got right, and what they got wrong

Strengths

Covenant loyalty, hard work, humility, faith in God of Israel

Weaknesses

Scripture records none

Lessons

Loyalty and faithfulness are rewarded. God's family includes all who come by faith. Outsiders can become insiders through faith. Humble service leads to honor.

Spiritual significance

Ruth demonstrates that faith transcends national boundaries. Her inclusion in Christ's genealogy shows God's heart for all nations.

How Ruth points to Jesus

Boaz redeeming Ruth pictures Christ redeeming His bride, the Church. The kinsman-redeemer concept finds its fulfillment in Christ.

Ruth in Scripture

23 verses use this name, in 2 books. Open a book to read its mentions here. Text: Berean Standard Bible. Names repeat in Scripture, some of these verses may speak of another person called Ruth.

First namedRuth 1:4who took Moabite women as their wives, one named Orpah and the other named Ruth. And after they had lived in Moab about ten years,Last namedMatthew 1:5Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,

Old TestamentNew Testamentsegment width = share of mentions

Old Testament1 book · 22 mentions

Ruth22 mentions

17 further mentions in Ruth — read them in the book.

All of Ruth→

Study trails

that mention Ruth

Named in passing:The Armor of God; Women of Faith

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