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The Book of Ruth records the story of how a Moabite, originally an outcast according to God’s Law, entered God’s kingdom. It is stated in Deuteronomy 23:3 “No Ammonite or Moabite or any of his descendants may enter the assembly of the Lord, even down to the tenth generation.”

Ruth was a Moabitess; according to the Law, she was not allowed to enter the assembly of the Lord, not even down to the tenth generation. However, Ruth did enter the assembly of the Lord, furthermore, she became the great grandmother of King David, as Ruth 4 records, “Boaz (was) the father of Obed, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David.” Originally, Ruth was an outcast according to God’s law, but she received the Lord’s blessing. Because of faith, Ruth was able to enter God’s kingdom.

In chapter one, Ruth told Naomi, “Your people will be my people and your God my God.” Ruth used to worship the gods of the Moabites, but she turned away from the gods of the Moabites to worship the one and only True Living God. This is the greatest reason for Ruth’s blessings. However, that God blesses a person doesn’t mean a man no longer has responsibilities. Ruth, Naomi and Boaz experienced wonderful blessings because they did their best to fulfill their own responsibilities. In chapter 4, we discover two important factors: God’s grace and human responsibility.

I. God’s Grace

When we read the Book of Ruth carefully, we will discover that two important events occurred, revealing God’s amazing grace:

1. Coincidences Kept Occurring

The Bible used the phrases “as it turned out/as/just then” to describe the many amazing coincidences in the Book of Ruth. We know that everything happens according to God’s arrangement.

Ruth 1:22 records “…arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning.” Naomi and Ruth returned to Bethlehem just as the barley harvest was beginning, not earlier neither later, such that Ruth was able to glean in the fields for barley, such that she was able to meet Boaz.

Others may say this is coincidental, but in our eyes, this is divine arrangement. Ruth 2:3 records, “So she went out… as it turned out, she found herself working in a field belonging to Boaz.” With so many fields around, wasn’t it an amazing coincidence that Ruth happened to glean in Boaz’ field, and that Boaz happened to be Elimelech’s near of kin? Wasn’t it wonderful coincidence that on that day, Boaz just happened to visit his field, making it possible for Ruth to meet her future husband on the very same day?

In chapter four, Boaz decided to do his best to fulfil his duty, but wanting to be careful and allow the nearer kin to fulfil his duty, sat by the town gate as this man happened to come along. Chapter 4:1 says, “…When the kinsmans-redeemer came along, Boaz told the man, ‘Come over here, my friend, and sit down.'” Was this mere coincidence or not? What if the man went away to someplace else, how would things have turned out? This was not coincidental, this was divine arrangement.

2. Ruth’s Pregnancy and Giving Birth to a Son

We do not know how long Ruth and Mahlon had been married because the Bible makes no mention of it. But, Naomi had lived in Moab ten years. I believe Ruth must have been married to Mahlon for several years, yet she was not able to conceive. Even Orpah did not have a child. During that time, it is truly pitiable when a woman is unable to have children. But this turned out to be God’s grace. If Ruth or Orpah had children, then there would have been no reason for Boaz to marry Ruth, because Elimelech would already have had descendants.

The Lord did not allow Ruth to conceive before, but after she was married to Boaz, 4:13 records, “So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. Then he went to her, and the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.” We know that the younger a woman is, the easier it is for her to conceive, but Ruth was unable to conceive in her youth; when she was older, then she conceived. Boaz himself was much older than Ruth, in chapter 2, when he first met Ruth, he called her “Daughter!” Boaz was old enough to be Ruth’s father. They were an old husband and a young wife, not an ideal situation for conception. It was truly God’s grace that Boaz and Ruth was able to have a son.

II. Human Responsibility

When we mention God’s grace, we are not denying human responsibility. Man’s responsibility and God’s grace work hand in hand; they are not contradictory. When we do our best to fulfil our responsibility, God’s grace will come upon us. In the Book of Ruth, Boaz and Ruth were both responsible people, they fulfilled their responsibilities and as a result, God blessed them.

1. Boaz – a prudent and responsible man

Boaz told Ruth, “Although it is true that I am near of kin, there is a kinsman-redeemer nearer than I . …in the morning, if he wants to redeem, good; let him redeem. But if he is not willing, as surely as the Lord lives I will do it.”

Boaz told the man, “For no one has a right to do it except you, and I am next in line.” (4:4) To say that he was next in line meant Boaz was careful to respect the order of their kinship. Then, Boaz told the man, “On the day you buy the land from Naomi and from Ruth the Moabitess, you acquire the dead man’s widow, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property.”

At this the kinsman-redeemer said, “Then I cannot redeem it because I might endanger my own estate. You redeem it yourself. I cannot do it.” The man gave up his right to redeem when he realized he would have to maintain Elimelech’s name on the property. He gave the right and responsibility to Boaz. Boaz made witness before the townspeople, acquired the dead man’s property, and married Ruth. Boaz was a prudent man, and a responsible man. He fulfilled his responsibility to his utmost and as a result, the Lord blessed him with a son in his old age and he became the great grandfather of King David.

2. Ruth – a person willing to walk the extra mile

Ruth was blessed because she was willing to walk the extra mile. In Matthew 5:41, Jesus said, “If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.” At that time, the Jews were under Roman rule. Romans had authority to ask any Jew to walk with them for one mile. For example, a Roman, carrying a heavy load, may force a Jew to help carry his load. The Jew was duty-bound to comply but only for one mile. However, Jesus said, “If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.” What does this mean? Jesus meant that when one goes along for the first mile, this is but done out of duty; but to go the second mile, is to do so out of love.

In chapter one, we saw two good daughter-in-laws. One is Orpah, the other is Ruth. We cannot say that Orpah was not a good daughter-in-law. Orpah fulfilled her duty as a daughter-in-law, she was willing to go back with Naomi; but Ruth was the better one because she who was willing to go the extra mile. She was willing to expend more, and as a result, she gained more.

In chapter four, we saw that Boaz was a man willing to go the extra mile, too. There were two relatives in chapter four, one was the nearer kin, the other was Boaz. We cannot say that the nearer kin was bad, for he was willing to buy Elimelech’s property. But Boaz was better because he was willing to walk the extra mile, he was not only willing to redeem the property, he was also willing to marry the Moabitess Ruth as his wife, to retain the dead man’s name over his property. Because he was willing to expend more, in the end, Boaz gained much more.

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The Israelites have a provision that if a married man dies without a son, the nearest kin must marry his wife and bear children with her. The first child will be the heir of the man who died, and carry his name. Naomi’s husband Elimelech had died, her two sons Kihlion and Mahlion had also died. This clan was about to be forgotten. Elimelech’s nearest kin must marry Naomi and give Elimelech descendants. But then, Naomi was already old, she was no longer able to bear children. So, Elimelech’s kin must marry Ruth. This was the reason Ruth went to Boaz on this night. I called this night “A Sacred Night,” because the three characters, Naomi, Ruth and Boaz acted in purity, making that night of darkness shone with purity.

I. Naomi ‘s Purity

2:23 records that the wheat and barley harvests were finished, the harvesting period was nearly over. Ruth’s work of harvesting was about done. Thus, it would be difficult for her to meet Boaz again. So at this time, Naomi gave Ruth a suggestion. In verse 1, Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi, said to her, “My daughter, should I not try to find a home for you, where you will be well provided for?” Naomi was looking for a husband for her. This is usually a mother’s words to her own daughter. It was unusual for a mother-in-law to say this to her daughter-in-law. Which mother-in-law would look for a husband for her daughter-in-law?

That night, I believe Naomi must not have been able to sleep. She must have been very anxious that Ruth and Boaz might abandon their scruples because that was not their wedding night. That night Ruth was simply going to ask Boaz to fulfil his duty to marry her. I believe Naomi must have been praying the whole night, asking the Lord to preserve them, because there is danger in a single man and a single woman being together alone.

Naomi had another thing to be concerned about – if Ruth remarries, she will be left alone, she will have to take care of herself. All of us are selfish. We do not want our children to leave us. We want them to be near us so that when anything happens, we have them to take care of us. But, Naomi acted with purity. She thought of her daughter-in-law’s welfare, as a result, when Ruth and Boaz were married, Ruth took her in to their home and took care of her. Jesus said: “Do to others what you want others to do to you.” How true this was for Naomi!

II. Ruth’s Purity

That night, Ruth followed her mother-in-law’s advice. She went to see Boaz. That night was harvest night. It was also a dangerous night, because thieves would usually come on this night. So the Israelites were very happy because of the harvests, but they would also be very cautious on that night. The men would not go home because they were going to protect their harvests. In verse 7, “When Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he went over to lie down at the far end of the grain pile. Ruth approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down.”

Boaz had eaten and drank, what if he sleeps till morning? The only thing Ruth could do was to pray, to ask God to wake him up. Verse 8, “In the middle of the night something startled the man, and he turned and discovered a woman lying at his feet.” Startled means to be frightened. This was not man’s doing, this was God. God woke him up.

Boaz saw a woman lying at his feet. He immediately inquired who it was. Ruth answered, “I am your servant Ruth. Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer.” What does “spread the corner of your garment over me” mean? Ezekiel 16:8 “Later I passed by, and when I looked at you and saw that you were old enough for love, I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your nakedness. I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Sovereign Lord, and you became mine.”

“Spread the corner of your garment over me” means one is asking for marriage. Ruth was a courageous woman, she knew what she did was right. Because Boaz was her nearest kin, he was obligated to take care of her. But Boaz answered her, “Although it is true that I am near of kin, there is a kinsman-redeemer nearer than I. Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to redeem, good; let him redeem. But if he is not willing, as surely as the Lord lives I will do it. Lie here until morning.” So, Ruth lay there till morning.

Ruth was a woman of purity. When she heard that there was a kinsman-redeemer nearer than Boaz, she did not say another word. She lay there till morning. I believe they were not able to sleep; for it would be difficult to sleep. I believe Ruth really liked Boaz. Boaz had treated her with kindness and generosity. Actually, Boaz was much older than Ruth. Boaz often called her, “my daughter.” Boaz was indeed a partner Ruth could depend on. I believe Boaz must also have liked Ruth. Boaz, again and again, spoke well of Ruth. They liked each other, but they did not do anything that was not right. During the rule of the judges, everyone did what was right in his own eyes. People did whatever they wanted. In that dark period, that a man and a woman could spent a night together and yet maintain their purity is indeed a noble thing.

III. Boaz’ Purity

1. He did not hide the truth

When Ruth asked him to be her kinsman-redeemer, Boaz did not hide the truth. He did not hide the truth for his own advantage. I felt this was a noble act. Many times, when we have conflicts with our fellowmen, we would make cover-ups, intentionally hiding our own faults and things that would make us look bad. We want to appear righteous. Boaz could have hidden the truth, because the kinsman- redeemer did not even want to redeem Ruth; for to redeem Ruth, he would have to give a portion of his properties to Naomi. But Boaz acted in purity, he told Ruth that there is one nearer than him. He would only redeem her if the man refused.

2. He controlled his passion

Boaz was a man. We must not forget too that on that night he had just eaten and drank, he had drunk some wine. Alcohol weakens a man’s willpower. The whole evening, there were only the two of them together, and Ruth must have made effort to look beautiful, put on perfume or make-up. Lying down at Boaz’ side, it was truly a dangerous situation. The whole evening, Boaz had to control his passion. I believe they must not have slept. Yet, this dangerous evening became a sacred evening because Boaz respected Ruth. In this age of sexual immorality, this is truly exemplary.

This is what the Book of Ruth truly meant to teach us. During the reign of the judges, during a time of darkness, a group of men and women abided by the truth and shone for the truth. Brothers and sisters, in this dark 21st century, are you willing to shine for the Lord? May the Lord bless us!

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Let us consider Ruth, the Moabite, from chapter 2 of the Book of Ruth. I describe her as a woman of virtue because in chapter 3:11, Boaz said of her, “All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character.”

The whole town of Bethlehem knew Ruth as a virtuous woman. The Chinese have a criterion for women called “3 Obediences & 4 Virtues.” The three obediences are: Obey one’s father before marriage, obey one’s husband once married, obey one’s sons in old age. The four virtues are: fidelity, propriety in speech, physical charm, efficiency in work.

The first among the four virtues is fidelity, which may also be called inner beauty. We have nothing against a woman being physically attractive, but we value inner beauty more. Proverbs 31:30 “Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” External beauty will not last, in fact, it will surely fade with time. On the contrary, a person’s inner character can grow more and more beautiful. The Bible did not stress Ruth’s physical attributes, but it highlighted the beauty of her character. Let us learn from her example.

I. Ruth was very respectful

When these two widows returned to Bethlehem, they had to face an immediate problem, that is, their daily meal. This is one of man’s basic needs. Thus, Ruth told Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favour.” Naomi was no longer young, it would be difficult for her to go and pick grains. Ruth told Naomi, “Let me go…” How Ruth respected Naomi!

In the Book of Confucius, a student asked Confucius, what is filial piety? Confucius answered that to maintain a pleasant countenance in the presence of one’s parents is filial piety. It is not easy to do this. Although Naomi needed Ruth to take care of her, Ruth did not talk down to her mother-in-law, she continued to show Naomi great respect, even asking her permission to let her go pick grains. This is one beautiful character of Ruth, she was very respectful.

II. Ruth was very diligent v. 5-7/17

Boaz asked the foreman of his harvesters, “Whose young woman is that?”

In every generation, the poor outnumbers the rich. Boaz was a famous noble man. Many poor people must have come to his fields to pick grains. In the midst of so many harvesters, how come Boaz took notice and asked about Ruth? Was it because Ruth was very beautiful? Although Ruth must have been a pretty woman, we must not forget that on that day, Ruth was out to pick grains, not to attend a party; she most certainly must not have worn an attractive attire, put on perfume or make-up, nor worn seductive clothes. But why did Boaz notice her?

I believe it must have been because she was very diligent at picking grains. Verse 17 tells us Ruth gleaned in the field until evening. For at least 10 to 12 hours, she picked grains. Anyone who witnessed this would have agreed that Ruth was a diligent woman. In Ruth chapter 1, we can see that Ruth was very pleasant with her speech, she touched Naomi’s heart through her words (1:16-17). In chapter 2, we see Ruth’s hands, working ceaselessly. Ruth not only had a pleasant tongue, she also had a pair of diligent hands.

III. Ruth was very humble

Ruth was a very humble woman. What is humility? Humility is the opposite of arrogance. Arrogance means self-inflation. Humility is forgetting oneself. When a person forgets himself and his achievements, then, he can be truly humble.

In Chapter 2 Ruth said three times that she is one who has found favour. The first time, in chapter 2, verse 2, Ruth said, “Let me go to the fields and pick up leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favour.” Ruth realized that she has found favour with whoever allows her to pick grains.

The second time, in chapter 2:10, Ruth told Boaz, “Why have I found such favour in your eyes that you notice me — a foreigner?” When Ruth spoke this, she had bowed down with her face to the ground. This is an act of humility. Not only in action, but through her words, she manifested humility. Ruth did not forget she was a foreigner, that she was not one of God’s chosen people, not one blessed of God; she acknowledged that it was the Lord who had allowed her to find favour in Boaz’ eyes, that she was truly undeserving.

The third time in chapter 2, verse 13, Ruth answered Boaz “May I continue to find favour in your eyes, my lord.” This is the second time Ruth uttered such words to Boaz.

Humility is a lesson we must learn all throughout life. We must acknowledge that everything we are and everything we have is purely because of grace; then, it would be easy for us to be humble. May the Lord help us, may we be like Ruth and realize that we are a people who are but given grace.

IV. Ruth was very loyal

In Ruth 2:22-23, Naomi told Ruth her daughter-in-law, “It will be good for you, my daughter, to go with his girls, because in someone else’s fields you might be harmed.” Ruth went often with the servant girls of Boaz, from harvest time till its end. And Ruth continued to live with Naomi. In these two verses we learn that Ruth was a loyal person. 1. She was loyal to her work (towards work). 2. She was loyal to her mother-in-law (towards people).

1. Loyalty towards work – Ruth went often with the servant girls of Boaz, until harvest time was done. From barley harvest to wheat harvest was at least a matter of three to four months, about 120 days. Apart from Sabbath days, Ruth went to pick grains daily. This was not an easy thing to do. It was a very tiring thing to do. To pick grains for 120 days is indeed not easy. Truly, time is one most important test of life.

2. Loyalty towards people – Unexpectedly, the Bible added, “And she lived with her mother-in-law.” Ruth 3:10 tells us “Ruth did not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor.” There were younger men who tried to pursue Ruth, many had been wealthy. From this, we realize how significant it was that Ruth had remained with her mother-in-law. “When you come into prosperity, do not forget the friends who had gone through difficult times with you.” Ruth did not forget the mother-in-law who suffered with her during difficult times, she continued to live with her. In Ruth 4, we see how Ruth took care of Naomi all her life. She was loyal to her mother-in-law to the end.

Ruth, in the spiritual sense, represents the Church. The Church must have the same attitude towards our Lord. Are you respectful? Are you diligent? Are you humble? Are you loyal? May the Lord bless His Church.

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An important secret can be learned from Naomi and Ruth’s relationship, that is, to have good relationship with people, you must “consider the welfare of others.” But how many people are able to consider other people in every situation? In Ruth 1:8-19, two conversations occurred between the in-laws. The first, in verses 8-14, is the conversation between Naomi and her two daughters- in- law; the second, in verse 15-19, is the conversation between Naomi and Ruth.

In the first conversation (verses 8-14), Naomi spoke six of the seven verses. Her two daughters-in-law only spoke one line. We discover that Naomi is the major character in this first exchange. Her main intent was the well-being of her daughters-in-law. In verses 15-18, Naomi only spoke one line; the rest of the conversation was Ruth’s response, stating her concern for her mother-in-law’s well-being. The mother-in-law considers her daughters-in-law’s welfare, the daughter-in-law looks after her mother-in-law’s welfare, I show my concern for you, you show your concern for me. This is a demonstration of real love for one another, the secret to having good relationship with people.

I. The First Conversation between In-Laws (Mother-in-law Naomi considers the well-being of her daughters-in-law) v. 8-14

In this conversation, we realize two things :

1. Naomi shared the Gospel to her daughters-in-law
2. Naomi gave her daughters-in-law permission to remarry.

1. Naomi shared the Gospel to her daughters-in-law

“May the Lord show kindness to you, as you have shown kindness to your dead and to me.” Naomi spoke of the Lord. We must not forget that her two daughters-in-law were Moabites. They had idol-worshippers all their lives. They do not know the Lord. Naomi started her conversation with them by sharing the gospel, hoping they will acknowledge the Lord.

2. Naomi gave her daughters-in-law permission to marry

Naomi told her daughters-in-law, “May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.” She encouraged them to remarry. For a mother-in-law to encourage her daughter-in-law to remarry is truly a great act of love. She did not require them to observe widowhood. She herself was a widow, she knows how difficult it was to be a widow, and she was not willing for them to suffer like her. She loved them as if they were her own daughters.

II. The Second Conversation between the In-Laws (Daughter-in-law Ruth seeks the well-being of her mother-in-law) v.15-18

Ruth told Naomi, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.”

From Ruth’s moving discourse with her mother-in-law, we realize two things:

1. Ruth already knew the Lord

She said, “May the Lord deal with me be it ever so severely if anything but death separates you and me.” She made a vow to the Lord that she will never leave Naomi, apart from death; that if she breaks this vow, she wills the Lord to punish her severely. This Moabite, a pagan woman, made a vow in the name of the Lord, because she already knew the Lord from Naomi.

2. Ruth’s love for Naomi was very firm

Ruth told Naomi, “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried.” Ruth was very firm that nothing will make her leave Naomi. The Bible says, “When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.” Naomi knew no matter how she urged her, it was useless. She had already decided, she was very determined to follow Naomi.

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I entitled Ruth 1: 1-7 as “Rescue in Desperate Times”, because these seven verses tell us about one situation, one decision, and one piece of good news.

I. One Situation: In the days when the judges ruled, the nation experienced a famine.

This statement lets us know about two situations during that time:
1. The judges ruled during that time
2. There was famine in the land.

1. In the days when the judges ruled

After Joshua led the Israelites into Canaan, they enjoyed the land of milk and honey, they worshipped the Lord. But after Joshua died, a new generation of Israelites came up. They did not know the Lord, they worshipped the idols of Canaan; thus the Lord gave them into the hands of pagans. But, whenever they called upon the Lord, the Lord would raise up a judge to help them. The Israelites entered into a new era, the period of the judges. Judges 21:25 describes the situation of that period, “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.” It was not that they did not have a king, but they did not acknowledge the Lord as king, they regarded themselves as king. The rule of the judges was the darkest time in Israel’s history, everyone did as he saw fit.

2. The nation experienced a famine

Israel is an agricultural nation. For an agricultural nation, encountering a famine is equivalent to an economic crisis. Was this famine a coincidence? When a nation belonging to God does not walk according to His laws, not only do the people lose God’s blessings, even the land becomes cursed because of sin, thus, famine happens. In Genesis 3, when man sinned, the Lord told Adam “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you.” When Cain killed Abel, the blood of a righteous man was shed, so the Lord told Cain, “Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you.” The ground no longer yielding its crops is a depiction of famine.

II. One Decision: The Whole Family Moved to Moab

A man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons went to live for a while in the country of Moab. Faced with political and economic problems, one family decided to move to Moab.

First: Who was this man? His name is Elimelech, which means ‘The Lord is king.’ This is truly an irony. His parents named him `Elimelech’ hoping that he will regard the Lord as king, but Elimelech regarded himself as king, `I will do what I want to do’, so he decided to bring his wife and two sons to Moab.

Second: Where did they go? They moved to Moab. Moabites are the descendants of children born from the incestuous relationship between Lot and his daughters. Moab is an idol-worshipping nation. When the Israelites journeyed from the wilderness, they passed through Moab, the king of Moab Balak told Balaam to curse them. The Lord had forbidden Moabites from entering the assembly of the Lord. But here, the Lord’s people decided to migrate to Moabite land. Had Elimelech not been acquainted with God’s Word?

Third: What happened to them? This decision brought on three painful consequences:
1. Elimelech died.
2. Mahlon and Kilion also died.
3. Naomi became Mara.

III. One Piece of Good News

Naomi heard news that “The Lord had come to aid his people by providing food for them.” For Naomi, this was truly a ray of hope in the midst of the darkness. Therefore, she decided to return with her two daughters’-in-law to Bethlehem in Israel.

1. Where did the news come from?

We do not know but someone told her the good news, as a result, this family got saved. We have the Good News with us, have you proclaimed it?

2. How did Naomi respond to this piece of good news?

When Naomi heard the good news, she made a decision. She decided to return to Bethlehem in Israel. We must not belittle this decision, for it had certainly required much courage. When they left ten years ago, the whole city must have known. And now, Naomi is returning home with empty-hands, a widow with two widowed daughters-in-law. This is a disgraceful situation, how can she go back?

Naomi felt unworthy to go back to Bethlehem, but she courageously faced their failure, and as a result, Naomi obtained God’s blessing. Where lies the secret of Naomi’s deliverance from her desperate situation? She chose to bravely face her situation, she knew people will look down on her, and she will be mocked, but she chose to face it, and so, she found the Lord’s care and was rescued from her desperate situation.

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