🌈 “The Book of Ruth"🌿

🌾 The Book of Ruth — From Tragedy to Triumph

Historical Background

Timeline

Around 1200–1100 BC — during the time of the Judges (Ruth 1:1)

Setting

Bethlehem (Judah) and the fields of Moab

Author

Traditionally attributed to Samuel (not directly stated)

Theme

Redemption, loyalty, faith, and God's providence through ordinary lives

The story bridges the period between the Judges and the Monarchy — leading directly to the ancestry of King David.

Main Characters

Character	Description	Lessons / Virtues
Ruth	A Moabite widow who chose faith in the God of Israel and loyalty to Naomi.	Loyalty, humility, faithfulness, hard work.
Naomi	An Israelite woman who lost her husband and sons but guided Ruth with wisdom.	Trust in God even amid loss.
Boaz	A wealthy landowner in Bethlehem; kind, righteous, and obedient to God's law as a kinsman-redeemer.	Integrity, kindness, protection of the weak.
Obed	Son of Ruth and Boaz — became the grandfather of King David.	Symbol of God's fulfilled promise.

Kings & Genealogy Connection

Generation	Person	Significance
1	Boaz (husband of Ruth)	Kinsman-Redeemer, symbol of Christ the Redeemer.
2	Obed	Son of Ruth & Boaz — continuation of lineage.
3	Jesse	Father of King David.
4	David	Great-grandson of Ruth — ancestor of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5–6).

🌟 Ruth's obedience and Boaz's redemption brought forth a royal bloodline — showing that faithfulness leads to divine destiny.

Key Themes & Theological Lessons

Loyalty

Ruth's famous words, "Where you go, I will go..." (Ruth 1:16–17).

God blesses covenant loyalty.

Redemption

Boaz redeems Ruth through lawful marriage — foreshadowing Christ's redemption.

Ruth 4:9–10; Ephesians 1:7.

Providence

Every event (famine, harvest, meeting Boaz) was guided by God's unseen hand.

Ruth 2:3, 12.

Inclusiveness

A Moabite woman became part of Israel's Messiah line — grace beyond race.

Matthew 1:5.

Hope Restored

From famine to fullness — God restores the empty.

Ruth 4:14–15.

Timeline of Events

Famine in Judah → Elimelech moves to Moab

Elimelech & sons die → Naomi & Ruth return to Bethlehem

Ruth gleans in Boaz's field (harvest season)

Boaz redeems Ruth at city gate

Marriage of Ruth & Boaz → Birth of Obed → Line of King David

Map Context

Moab

East of the Dead Sea; present-day Jordan.

Bethlehem

"House of Bread," west of the Dead Sea; Ruth's new home and birthplace of David and Jesus.

(The journey from Moab to Bethlehem symbolizes moving from loss to restoration.)

Spiritual Insights

• God can turn ordinary obedience into eternal impact.
• Redemption is God's design — Boaz → Christ, Ruth → Church.
• Painful beginnings can lead to divine purposes.
• Faithfulness in little things invites great blessings.

Reflection Questions

• What does Ruth's loyalty teach us about covenant love?
• How does Boaz's character foreshadow Jesus Christ's redemption?
• What areas in your life need "redemption" or restoration?

Final Truth

"The LORD rewarded your work, and your wages be full from the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to trust."

— Ruth 2:12

Key Verse

Ruth 4:14 — "Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel."

Created for Deva Varthai Bible Study.