Ruth: The Virtuous Woman
“Who can find a virtuous woman?” wrote king Lemuel, “for her price is far above rubies” (Proverbs 31:10). “All the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman” said the noble Boaz to Ruth the alien woman from the land of Moab (Ruth 3:11).
The setting of the book of Ruth is in the book of Judges. It shows that despite the prevailing apostasy of the nation there were individuals living godly lives, seeking to rule their lives by the law of Moses and free from the corruption around them. The character, integrity and piety of Boaz are outstanding. His familiarity with the Mosaic law and his personal knowledge of Jehovah are in marked contrast with the general ignorance, immorality, indifference and idolatry of the times. God never leaves Himself without a witness.
The book of Ruth is one of the most beautiful stories ever told. The climax towards which the whole book moves is the birth of a baby in Bethlehem. It provides the vital link between the days of the Judges and the coming of David. Yet the whole romance is woven around the story of a prodigal family and a kinsman-redeemer, around a Gentile woman and a high-born Hebrew of the princely line of Judah.
The book of Ruth is the story of redemption. It tells how one who was a stranger to the commonwealth and covenants of Israel, dwelling afar off in heathen darkness was introduced to one who became her kinsman-redeemer and her lord.
The book divides into three parts.
I. How She Was Sought
II. How She Was Taught
III. How She Was Bought
When the story opens Ruth was a pagan. She was a member of a hostile race and cut off from any knowledge of the living God. In fact, as a Moabitess, she was not only without God but she was without hope for the law of Moses legislated with particular severity against her people (Deuteronomy 23:3–4). Yet, in spite of this, we see God setting in motion a chain of events which brought her at last to Boaz. Yes, and lifted her into the royal line and gave her a living link with the Christ Himself (Matthew 1:5).
The first link in the chain that brought her to Boaz was a famine (1:1), a providential act of God over which she had no control and about which she probably knew nothing and cared less. For the famine was not even in Moab, it was in Judea. Yet it was the beginning of things for Ruth although she did not know it.
The second link in the chain was a family. There moved into her life a family from Bethlehem. Although they were away from God and although they were in a place where they had no right to be and although their testimony must have been dim indeed, yet Ruth first heard of Jehovah through this family. She married into this family and had a firsthand opportunity to see and to hear for herself their devotion to their God. For despite their backslidden Condition there must have been much about the family of Elimelech which spoke to her heart.
The third link in the chain was a funeral. In fact there were three funerals one after another. Her own husband died. It was a tragedy at the time, perhaps, but she could never have come to know Boaz as God intended her to know him without that funeral. God is too loving to be unkind and too wise to make any mistakes.
The fourth link in the chain was a fear. Her mother-in-law, Naomi, announced one day that she was leaving Moab. The only light Ruth had, and a dim, poor light it was, was going out. She feared to be left in the dark and she voiced her resolution to get to know Naomi’s God in one of the most forthright statements of purpose in Scripture (1:16–17).
The final link in the chain was a field. For when she arrived at Bethlehem and sought some means to support herself and Naomi she went out to glean “And,” says the Spirit of God, “her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging to Boaz” (2:3). That’s how she was sought. God overruled the affairs of her life until she was brought face to face with the one who was to become her redeemer.
From this point on the story moves swiftly. She was taught by Naomi to put herself at the feet of Boaz and ask to be redeemed, ask to be put into his family. Then she was bought by Boaz, according to the redemption laws of Israel, and made his very own.
One does not have to look very far to see how all this pictures our own redemption. First, God takes the initiative and begins to move behind the scenes to bring us into the presence of His Son and under the sound of His word. He teaches us the simple plan of redemption and makes us willing to ask the Lord Jesus to become ours and to make us His. Then He shows us how the redemption price has been paid at Calvary and, unworthy as we are, He lifts us up and makes us His very own.[1]
[1] Phillips, J. (1965) Exploring the Scriptures: An Overview of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Kregel Publications (The John Phillips Commentary Series), pp. 53–55.
