The story of Ruth and Boaz continues, and it becomes very clear that Boaz is not only attracted to Ruth, but he has every intent on “redeeming” her through the bonds of marriage. Perhaps some people (in today’s world) might struggle with this whole idea of a man (in this case Boaz who was an influential, wealthy leader of his community) needing to “redeem” Ruth as if she was some sort of property to purchase. If you draw those conclusions, then you are going to miss the whole point of the story and the whole reason this Book of the Bible is included in the Old Testament cannon of Scripture.

In the whole economy of God’s plan was for His people to care for others as He cares for us. Remember, this story of Ruth and Boaz come after the established Law that God gave to the Israelites through Moses. It is in that Law (more than just the ten commandments) that taught God’s people (the Israelites) how they were to engage with and worship their God (Jehovah), as well as how they were to treat one another and those outside of the “commonwealth” of Israel. There were rules and strict rules at that requiring the Israelites to provide for and protect those who couldn’t provide for and protect themselves. As such the fatherless, widows and orphans needed to be cared for by those who had the ability to provide that provision and protection.

“You shall not pervert the justice due to the sojourner or to the fatherless, or take a widow’s garment in pledge, but you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there; therefore, I command you to do this. “When you reap your harvest in your field and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over them again. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not strip it afterward. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow.” Deuteronomy 24:17-21

Ruth, by virtue of her marriage to Mahlon (son of Elimelech) was now a widow and the responsibility to care for her fell on the family of Elimelech to provide. Naomi understood this and so did Boaz. God will orchestrate a series of situations that will bring about the union of these two love birds – Ruth and Boaz.

Caring of others, especially the less fortunate is a principal found throughout the Scripture and an attribute that God has displayed throughout the Old and New Testament. This story of redemption is not a story about purchasing property or “lording over another human being by virtue of status”, but a story of Protection evidenced by the Plan of Redemption, the Purpose of Redemption, and the Pledge of Redemption. The decision by Boaz to step up and provide that “Protection” to Ruth is where we find ourselves in this third installment of our series, “Great Grandparents to a King – The Story of Ruth and Boaz”.

This week’s lesson begins with Naomi and Ruth leaving the land of Moab and returning to Bethlehem. You can see by what the author writes that Naomi is worn out physically, mentally and spiritually and upon her arrival in Bethlehem she even declares; “call me Mara (which means bitter) for the Almighty has dealt very bitter with me”. It was definitely time for a fresh start for Naomi and she couldn’t have picked a better time to return to her roots.

It was harvesting time in Bethlehem and Naomi’s act of obedience to return there would eventually bring full restoration and healing, but it will come in a more indirect wat through her daughter in law, Ruth at just the right time and in just the right way.

We will be introduced to a new character in our story and his name is Boaz, a kinsman (near relative) of Naomi’s husband Elimelech. As the story unfolds, we will see two hearts (that of Ruth and Boaz) blended together just as God intends a relationship to be between a man and a woman. Through a series of events, through the providence of Almighty God, Ruth and Boaz will meet and fall in love! Eventually they will marry but a few details remain to be ironed out before that happens. We will learn the significance of who Boaz is, where he came from and how he fits into this story of this Moabite woman named Ruth. Sometimes referred to as a “Type of Christ”, Boaz will redeem Ruth and become her protector and provider showing nothing but love to someone who may never have known love otherwise. Ruth and Boaz will become the Great Grandparents of King David – the one who rules over a Kingdom that has no end!

Welcome to the Biblical story of Ruth and Boaz – the Great Grandparents to King David through whom the human lineage of Jesus Christ the Messiah can be traced. This story of Ruth and Boaz is as much a love story as it is a story of God’s grace and mercy, redemption, providence and protection all rolled up in a little book of the Bible with the title of Ruth.

The assumed author is the Prophet/Priest Samuel and the period in which the story takes place is during the Biblical narrative of the Time of the Judges. Long after the conquest of the land of Canaan by Joshua and the twelve tribes of Israel, the people who were then known as the Israelites (commonly referred today as the Jews) were not fully obedient to God’s instructions. Although the Israelites settled in the land of Canaan (often referred to as the Promised Land), they never fully conquered the people of that land who worshipped false gods, practiced pagan rituals and lived outside of God’s blessings. This resulted in continual warfare between the 12 tribes of Israel and the non-Israelite tribes and people groups, such as the Moabites, Ammonites, Canaanites, Amalekites, Philistines and others.

The events found in the Book of Ruth probably takes place toward the end of the period of the Judges (perhaps during the time of Gideon) in which the people of God (The Israelites) were known for this statement; “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). The events of the Book of Ruth precede the events recorded in the Book of I&II Samuel in which the people of Israel eventually secure their first King (Saul) and the King that succeeded him was David. This first lesson introduces two of our main characters – Naomi and Ruth. Through a series of tragic events, Naomi will find herself in the foreign land of Moab and she will lose her husband. Two of Naomi’s sons will each marry a Moabite woman and subsequently both of Naomi’s sons will die. This will leave Naomi in a foreign land, among people who worshipped multiple gods and not the God (Jehovah) that Naomi worshipped. Naomi will decide to leave Moab and return to the land of promise and this decision will be life changing for her and her two daughters in laws. Ruth will follow Naomi and her God while Orpah (the other daughter in law) will stay behind in Moab. This first chapter of Ruth will show evidence of God’s mercy and grace to two people who will find redemption, restoration and hope all because they chose to obey God.