The story of Ruth and Boaz is a significant narrative found in the Book of Ruth in the Old Testament. It tells of loyalty, love, and redemption against the backdrop of the Israelite society during the time of the judges.
Ruth, a Moabite woman, was married to an Israelite man named Mahlon. After the death of her husband and her father-in-law, Elimelech, and her brother-in-law, Chilion, Ruth remained with her mother-in-law, Naomi, who decided to return to Bethlehem after hearing that the Lord had provided food for His people (Ruth 1:1-6). Naomi urged Ruth to return to her own people, but Ruth famously declared her loyalty, saying:
“Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” (Ruth 1:16, NIV)
Upon returning to Bethlehem, Ruth and Naomi faced hardship. To provide for Naomi and herself, Ruth went to glean in the fields, following the harvesters, as it was a practice that allowed the poor to collect leftover grain (Ruth 2:2). It was in the fields of Boaz, a relative of Naomi’s deceased husband, that Ruth caught the attention of Boaz.
Boaz admired Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi and treated her with kindness and respect. He instructed his workers to protect and provide for her while she gleaned (Ruth 2:8-16). When Ruth returned home with an abundant supply of grain, Naomi recognized Boaz as a kinsman-redeemer, someone who had the right to help her and Ruth by marrying Ruth to preserve the family line (Ruth 2:20).
Naomi devised a plan for Ruth to approach Boaz on the threshing floor after the harvest festival. Ruth followed Naomi’s instructions, and that night, she uncovered Boaz’s feet and lay down, signifying her request for him to act as a redeemer (Ruth 3:1-9). Boaz was taken aback but honored her request, noting Ruth’s character and loyalty.
He agreed to take on the role of redeemer, but mentioned that there was a closer relative with a prior claim to the land and to Ruth (Ruth 3:10-13). Boaz approached this relative the next day, who initially showed interest in the land but withdrew when it became clear that taking the land also meant marrying Ruth (Ruth 4:1-6). Thus, Boaz became the redeemer, marrying Ruth (Ruth 4:7-10).
Their union was blessed, and Ruth bore a son named Obed, who would become the grandfather of King David (Ruth 4:13-17). The story highlights themes of loyalty, divine providence, and the importance of community and family, setting the stage for the lineage of David and eventually, according to Christian belief, Jesus Christ. The Book of Ruth ends with a genealogical listing that connects Ruth to David, establishing her place in Israel’s history (Ruth 4:18-22).