Today I am thrilled with our companion because I'm finally going to meet Ruth. I have heard a lot about Ruth in the past few months but I truly don't know her very well. All I know is that she is an ancestor of Jesus Christ, the great-grandmother of King David and one of only three women that happens to have a book in the Bible. This means that she must have been someone very important.
Her book is not very long, just four chapters, but it's a beautiful love story. Ruth is a humble woman with an incredible devotion and faithfulness to God. You can read the first two chapters of her story here:
Ruth is a Moabite woman. The Moabites were enemies of Israel. But Ruth marries into an Israelite family that was living in Moab. Ruth becomes a widow before she bears children. Her mother-in-law, Naomi, is also a widow and she decides to return to her hometown of Bethlehem where she has other family members.
Ruth pledges her loyalty to Naomi. She clings to Naomi and her God even if it means losing her own gods and her family. They both set out on the long journey and arrive to Bethlehem in time for the barley harvest. Ruth is determined to take care of Naomi and thus she offers to go out into the fields to find work.
Ruth goes to help glean the barley in the fields. Gleaning was a form of charity for the disadvantaged in ancient Israel. The poor could walk behind the harvesters picking up what they left behind. This is what Ruth did. This would provide food for herself and for Naomi.
Ruth ended up in the fields that belonged to Boaz, a rich relative of Naomi. And guess who were the parents of Boaz. They were Salmon and Rahab. Remember Rahab? We met her a few weeks ago. She was the harlot who helped the two spies when the Israelites were trying to conquer the Promised Land. She eventually married Salmon, one of the spies, and they had a son, Boaz. Do you think it was a coincidence that Ruth ended up working for Boaz? I don't think so. I see God's hand weaving this tale.
Boaz has heard about Ruth and her loyalty to Naomi. He asks God to bless Ruth. He then goes to great lengths to make sure that Ruth picks up extra grain to take back to Naomi. He even invites her to sit at his table and share his meal. Some commentaries suggest that it was love at first sight.
We will have to wait until tomorrow to see the conclusion of this Bible love story.
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