Ruth's Story: From Outsider to Covenant Blessing
From Outsider to Family
Ruth, as a Moabite, was an outsider - a Gentile with no direct access to God's covenant people. However, through marrying into a Jewish family, she gained access to Yahweh, the God of the Jews.
The story begins when Elimelech, troubled by famine in Bethlehem of Judah, traveled with his wife Naomi and their two sons to settle in Moab. Ruth's marriage into this Jewish family marked her initial step into relationship with Yahweh and His people.
But then tragedy struck. Ruth's husband, Naomi's son, died, and with him went her connection to the covenant community. However, this is not the end; the story takes a beautiful turn.
A Covenant-Like Commitment
Naomi hears that the LORD has visited Israel with provision and decides to return to Bethlehem. Now widowed and childless, she finds herself in a dire situation. She encourages her daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah, to go back to their homes and families in Moab, where they might find new husbands and security.
After much protest, Orpah tearfully leaves to return home. But Ruth makes a profound commitment to Naomi that changes everything. In her powerful declaration, which echoes through generations, she proclaims:
"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. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the LORD do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you." (Ruth 1:16-17)
This is significant: Ruth invokes the covenant name of God, Yahweh (the LORD), when making this declaration. She wasn't just choosing Naomi; she was choosing the covenant God of Israel by name. This covenant-like commitment gave her new access and covering through her relationship with Naomi, providing another doorway into relationship with God and His people.
Divine Appointments in Boaz's Field
Together, they made their way back to Bethlehem. Upon arrival, Ruth started gleaning in the fields under Naomi's guidance, gathering leftover grain to provide for them both. Scripture says she found herself in Boaz's field, working diligently from morning until evening.
That same day, Boaz, the owner of the field, came by to check on the harvest. He noticed Ruth right away and asked his foreman about her. The foreman verified her identity and praised how hard she had been working, noting that she had barely rested all day.
But there are no coincidences in God's kingdom, only divine appointments. Ruth was at the right place at the right time. I hear the Holy Spirit saying that destiny drew Boaz to Ruth. Destiny is magnetic; it aligns itself with the right people at the right moment. These are our destiny helpers, and Ruth was working faithfully when her destiny helper arrived.
Access Through Covenant Relationship
Because of her covenant-like commitment to Naomi, which was ultimately a commitment to Yahweh, Ruth gained access to Israel's customs and God's commands. The gleaning laws that allowed the poor to gather what harvesters left behind were all part of God's provision system that Ruth could now access through her relationship with God's people.
These gleaning laws came from God's commands in Leviticus 19:9-10, where the LORD instructed landowners to leave the edges of their fields unharvested and not to pick up fallen grain, so that the poor and the foreigner could gather food. Ruth, though a foreigner, was now walking in the blessing of God's provision for His people.
Bold Faith at the Threshing Floor
As the story continues, Naomi gives Ruth important guidance. She instructs Ruth to wash, put on her best clothes, and approach Boaz at the threshing floor after the harvest celebration. This wasn't just about outward appearance; it was about a mindset shift that would allow Ruth to take bold, faith-filled action at the right moment.
Naomi's role here is almost angelic; guiding and instructing Ruth with supernatural wisdom and accuracy. Ruth's response shows complete trust: "All that you say I will do" (Ruth 3:5). Her obedience mirrors Mary, the mother of Jesus, who said, "Let it be unto me according to your word" when visited by the Angel Gabriel.
Ruth follows Naomi's instructions completely. At the threshing floor, she waits until Boaz has finished eating and drinking and lies down to sleep. Then, in accordance with the customs she had learned from Naomi, she quietly approaches, uncovers his feet, and lies down.
When Boaz wakes at midnight and discovers her there, Ruth makes her bold request: "Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer" (Ruth 3:9b). She was essentially asking Boaz to marry her and redeem both her and Naomi's family!
Boaz's response was affirmative and honoring, though he wisely suggested discretion until matters were properly settled according to the law, as there was a closer relative who had first rights to redeem.
Prophetic Fulfillment
When Ruth returned to Naomi before dawn, her mother-in-law's response was deeply prophetic: "Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest but will settle the matter today" (Ruth 3:18).
And indeed, Boaz followed through immediately. He went to the city gate, gathered the elders, and settled the matter of redemption. When the closer relative declined, Boaz publicly redeemed both Ruth and Naomi's family inheritance.
The elders' blessing over Ruth was also prophetic: "May the LORD make the woman, who is coming into your house, like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel" (Ruth 4:11b).
This prophecy was powerfully fulfilled! We see it in the genealogy of Christ listed in Matthew 1; in the first 14 generations starting with Abraham, we find: Salmon, the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king.
Ruth, the Moabite outsider, became a great-grandmother of King David and an ancestor of Jesus Christ himself. Hallelujah!
Our Application as Believers
As believers, we have access to covenant blessings through Jesus Christ. We are redeemed by our Kinsman Redeemer, the Son of the living God. His death on the cross and our acceptance of His finished work grant us access to the covenant of eternal life.
Like Ruth found safety under Boaz's wing, we find our lives covered under the shadow of Christ's wings. He protects and provides for us, offering safety and security. Our lives are blessed and covered under His grace and love.
Just as Ruth came boldly to Boaz at the threshing floor, we can come boldly before the throne of grace through the shed blood of Jesus to receive mercy and find grace to help in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16).
Ruth's story reminds us that no one is too far outside to be brought in. Her faithfulness, her bold faith, and her commitment to the God of Israel brought her into the very lineage of our Savior. What God did for Ruth, He can do for us, bringing us from outsiders to beloved children, from hopeless to blessed, from forgotten to forever remembered in His kingdom.
Hallelujah!