
The Book of Ruth
Book Facts
The kinsman-redeemer who purchases His bride and provides inheritance (Ruth 4:9-10; Ephesians 5:25-27), the one who includes Gentiles in God's family through covenant love (Ruth 1:16; Ephesians 2:11-13), and the descendant of David who brings salvation to all peoples (Ruth 4:17; Matthew 1:5)
What Is Ruth and How Does It Contrast with the Chaos of Judges?
Ruth presents a beautiful narrative of loyalty, love, and divine providence set during the dark period of the judges, offering a refreshing contrast to the moral chaos and spiritual decline depicted in the preceding book. This short but profound story demonstrates that even during Israel's most turbulent times, God continued to work through faithful individuals to advance His redemptive purposes and preserve the messianic line.⁶ The book derives its name from its central character, Ruth the Moabitess, whose remarkable loyalty to her Israelite mother-in-law Naomi leads to her inclusion in the covenant community and ultimately in the genealogy of King David. Written during the early monarchy period (c. 1000-900 BC), possibly by Samuel, Ruth was composed to provide encouragement about God's providential care and to demonstrate the possibility of covenant faithfulness even during difficult circumstances. The original audience consisted of Israelites who needed reminders of God's grace, the importance of covenant loyalty, and the inclusive nature of God's salvation plan that extended beyond ethnic Israel to include faithful Gentiles. The book's placement after Judges in the English Bible effectively illustrates that God's purposes cannot be thwarted by human failure and that His covenant love continues to work through ordinary people committed to extraordinary faithfulness.
Ruth Commentaries

Judges, Ruth
Daniel I. Block

Judges, Ruth
Lawson Younger

Ruth/Esther
Frederic Bush

The Book of Ruth
Robert L. Hubbard Jr.

The Message of Ruth
David Atkinson
What Are the Major Events and Themes That Shape Ruth's Story?
Ruth unfolds through four carefully crafted scenes that progressively reveal God's providence working through human loyalty and covenant love to bring about redemption and restoration.⁷
Key events and themes in Ruth include:
- •
Naomi's Tragedy and Ruth's Loyalty - The death of husbands leading to destitution, followed by Ruth's remarkable covenant commitment to Naomi and her God (Ruth 1)
- •
Ruth's Humble Service in Boaz's Field - Divine providence directing Ruth to the field of a kinsman-redeemer who shows extraordinary kindness and protection (Ruth 2)
- •
Naomi's Plan and Ruth's Bold Request - The strategic appeal to Boaz as kinsman-redeemer, demonstrating both wisdom and faith in God's provision (Ruth 3)
- •
Boaz's Redemption and Marriage - The legal transaction that secures both land and marriage, resulting in the restoration of Naomi's family line (Ruth 4)
- •
The Genealogical Conclusion - The revelation that Ruth becomes great-grandmother to King David, showing God's larger purposes through individual faithfulness (Ruth 4:17-22)
The theme of hesed (covenant love or loyal kindness) permeates the entire narrative, demonstrated by Ruth's commitment to Naomi, Boaz's generosity to Ruth, and ultimately God's faithful provision for all involved. The concept of redemption operates on multiple levels throughout the story, from the immediate need for a kinsman-redeemer to restore family property and lineage to the larger theological implications of God's redemptive work through the Davidic line.⁸ The remarkable transformation from emptiness to fullness, from tragedy to joy, and from despair to hope illustrates God's ability to work all things together for good for those who love Him, while the inclusion of a Moabite woman in the messianic genealogy demonstrates the universal scope of God's salvation plan. The book's emphasis on ordinary people living extraordinarily faithful lives provides practical models for covenant living and trust in divine providence during difficult circumstances.
How Does Ruth Point to Christ and Encourage Christian Faithfulness?
Ruth provides rich typological foreshadowing of Christ's redemptive work, particularly through Boaz's role as kinsman-redeemer who willingly pays the price to secure both inheritance and bride, prefiguring Christ's work in redeeming His people and the church as His bride.⁹ Ruth's inclusion as a Gentile in the messianic genealogy powerfully anticipates the inclusion of all nations in God's salvation plan through Jesus Christ, while her covenant loyalty and faith serve as models of genuine conversion and commitment to God's people. The book's themes of redemption, restoration, and divine providence working through human faithfulness find their ultimate fulfillment in Christ's perfect redemptive work.¹⁰ For contemporary believers, Ruth provides inspiring examples of loyalty, faith, and perseverance during difficult circumstances, showing how God honors covenant commitments and faithful service even when the future appears uncertain. The book demonstrates the importance of godly relationships across generational lines, the value of sacrificial love and service, and the significance of daily faithfulness in ordinary circumstances as part of God's larger purposes. Ruth's example encourages Christians to maintain hope during seasons of loss and disappointment, trusting that God's providence continues to work even when His purposes are not immediately apparent. Throughout church history, Ruth has influenced Christian understanding of conversion, covenant loyalty, and cross-cultural ministry, from early church discussions about Gentile inclusion to contemporary emphasis on biblical womanhood and family relationships, while its themes of redemption and divine providence continue to provide comfort and encouragement for believers facing their own seasons of uncertainty and need for God's provision.¹¹
FAQs
What makes Ruth's loyalty to Naomi so significant?+
Ruth's loyalty transcends normal cultural expectations by choosing to abandon her homeland, people, and gods to follow Naomi and Naomi's God. Her famous declaration ("Your people shall be my people, and your God my God") represents genuine conversion and covenant commitment that serves as a model for true faith and discipleship.
Ruth's loyalty transcends normal cultural expectations by choosing to abandon her homeland, people, and gods to follow Naomi and Naomi's God. Her famous declaration ("Your people shall be my people, and your God my God") represents genuine conversion and covenant commitment that serves as a model for true faith and discipleship.
How does Boaz serve as a type of Christ?+
Boaz functions as a kinsman-redeemer who willingly pays the price to redeem both Ruth and Naomi's family inheritance. This prefigures Christ, who as our kinsman (through incarnation) redeems us from sin and death, secures our eternal inheritance, and takes the church as His bride through His sacrificial love.
Why is Ruth's inclusion in Jesus' genealogy important?+
Ruth's presence in Matthew's genealogy demonstrates that God's salvation plan includes Gentiles and that faith, not ethnicity, determines membership in God's family. Her inclusion anticipates the gospel's expansion to all nations and shows that God values heart commitment over cultural background.
What does Ruth teach about God's providence?+
Ruth illustrates how God's providence works through ordinary circumstances and faithful people to accomplish His purposes. The "coincidences" in the story (Ruth happening upon Boaz's field, the availability of redemption) show God's sovereign care and perfect timing in caring for His people.
How does Ruth's story encourage women in difficult circumstances?+
Ruth demonstrates that God honors faithfulness regardless of circumstances, that loyal relationships provide mutual support and blessing, and that God can bring beauty from ashes in even the most challenging situations. Her example encourages trust in God's provision and the value of covenant commitments.
Citations & References
¹ Block, Daniel I. Judges, Ruth: The New American Commentary (B&H Academic, 2015), 589-592.
² Hubbard Jr., Robert L. The Book of Ruth: NICOT (Eerdmans, 2018), 23-26.
³ Bush, Frederic W. Ruth, Esther: WBC (Zondervan, 2019), 34-37.
⁴ Younger Jr., K. Lawson. Judges and Ruth: The NIV Application Commentary (Zondervan, 2019), 387-390.
⁵ Campbell Jr., Edward F. Ruth: Anchor Bible Commentary (Yale University Press, 2015), 45-48.
⁶ Alexander, T. Desmond. From Paradise to the Promised Land (Baker Academic, 2012), 345-348.
⁷ Fewell, Danna Nolan and David M. Gunn. Compromising Redemption: Relating Characters in the Book of Ruth (Westminster John Knox, 2016), 67-70.
⁸ Sasson, Jack M. Ruth: A New Translation with Commentary (Sheffield Academic Press, 2017), 134-137.
⁹ Beale, G.K. A New Testament Biblical Theology (Baker Academic, 2011), 356-359.
¹⁰ Schreiner, Thomas R. The King in His Beauty (Baker Academic, 2013), 267-270.
¹¹ VanGemeren, Willem A. The Progress of Redemption (Baker Academic, 2017), 367-370.
Ruth Commentaries

Judges, Ruth
Daniel I. Block

Judges, Ruth
Lawson Younger

Ruth/Esther
Frederic Bush

The Book of Ruth
Robert L. Hubbard Jr.

The Message of Ruth
David Atkinson