Not sure if any of you have been given the name of “Ruth,” but if so, your parents chose well. The Book of Ruth is a very special Book in the Old Testament, and as you will see, has a profound influence on Jesus’ lineage through his earthly parents, Joseph and Mary.

The Book of Ruth is a story of love, devotion, and redemption that takes place during the time of the Judges. It’s the story of Naomi, along with her husband and two sons, who leave their home in Bethlehem during a time of famine. They find food and shelter in the neighboring country of Moab, a region northeast of Bethlehem beyond the Jordan River. The Moabites were descendants of Lot, who had an incestuous relationship with his daughters. The people of Moab worshiped Chemosh and other pagan gods. Shortly after the family settled in Moab, Naomi’s husband dies and she is left with her two sons, who eventually marry Moabite women. The sons later die, leaving Naomi with two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth. Naomi decides to return to Israel, and pleads with Orpah and Ruth to stay in Moab. But Ruth refuses to do so, and makes this proclamation to Naomi, which turns out to be our highlight verse for this book,

“Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; and your people will be my people, and your God, my God (Ruth 1:16).

And Ruth returned with Naomi to the town of Bethlehem. This is where Ruth demonstrates her faithfulness in honoring Naomi and in working diligently in the fields of Boaz, who is a relative of Naomi’s husband Elimelech. Boaz couldn’t help but notice Ruth, and immediately takes an interest in her. The next few chapters describe a beautiful love story of “courtship” and commitment to remain faithful to God’s commandments. Boaz, a man of wealth, says to Ruth,

“And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence” (Ruth 3:11).

A woman of excellence! Wow, what a statement of Ruth’s character. Later, Boaz makes a decision based upon his love for Ruth stating that he will “redeem” the land that once belonged to Naomi’s husband, and marry Ruth, a foreigner in the land of Israel. Because Boaz was a “kinsman” of Naomi’s husband Elimelech, he is known as a “kinsman-redeemer.” What’s even more amazing is that Boaz brought Ruth into his family line, and after she gave birth to Obed, whose wife in turn bore Jesse, whose wife then bore David who was later to become the King of all Israel. Thus, if you follow David’s lineage for the next thousand years, we find that Ruth, a Moabitess from a pagan background, is not only the great-grandmother of David, but she is also in the lineage of Joseph who is the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus, our Lord and Redeemer (Mt. 1:16). Boaz, a “kinsman-redeemer” for Naomi and Ruth, is a picture of Jesus Christ, our “kinsman, who was “made like us in every way” (Heb. 2:17), as well as our “redeemer” who saves us from the penalty and power of sin.

The story of Ruth is a rich love story that emerges from tragic circumstances that began in Israel experiencing famine, and then to Moab where the family experienced death and heartache. And yet, we find a woman who refuses to leave Naomi and returns to Israel with her. This woman who is a beautiful picture of faith and devotion, marries a man named Boaz, whose lineage extends to a man named Joseph, the husband of Mary, who gave birth to Jesus.

During this time of COVID, never doubt that God is doing something in and through your life. He may be speaking to you about your need for a “Redeemer,” Jesus Christ who came to redeem you from sin. If so, then take a moment to ask Him to redeem you. Or maybe God is taking you through some “valleys” only to shave you emerge on the other side, encouraged and making a difference in the world for Christ. Whatever your circumstances, I pray that the story of Ruth will show you the need for faith, perseverance, devotion, faithfulness, and hope. Indeed, Ruth should be a role model for all of us.