Death sets the story of Ruth in motion while action focuses on restoring balance. Naomi has become the center of this story, as we witness her struggles within various events that take place in her life: the death of her husband’s and sons’, daughter-in-law, return to Bethlehem, God, Boaz, land to sell, and her offspring. In this story, Naomi feel like she has lost everything: home, husband, sons, and livelihood, and has now been placed on the same level of the poor and widowed. In spite of all of the hurt and despair she may feel, God saves Naomi and brings her the gift of Ruth. Though Naomi seemed hopeless and considered herself cursed by God, Ruth embodied what Naomi truly needed to see in spite of her childless and widow state, something
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Faithfulness in love is seen through the characters of Naomi, Boaz and his faithfulness to Ruth, in addition to faithfulness to God, and God’s blessings in return. The other key theme that sets the foundation of Ruth is honor. Boaz upheld a high respect and love for Ruth while he was fulfilling his lawful responsibility towards God’s law. Honor is shown through the way Ruth took care of Naomi and through the way that Boaz took care of both women, in addition to the way that God took care of each of them. Furthermore, redemption is seen in Boaz as the “kinsman redeemer”, who saves both Ruth and Naomi from a hopeless situation, thus illustrating how Jesus Christ has redeemed our lives. Though the story may seem like Ruth is the ultimate hero, the true stage light is focused towards pointing at the redemption of Naomi. The book of Ruth begins and ends focusing on Naomi, revealing God’s character in his faithfulness toward his covenant promise of protecting his elected people. He does this through his loving kindness and sovereignty in providing for the helpless widow. He also accomplishes this through his sovereignty by using the Moabites to provide for Naomi. An additional theme focuses on the redemption of Ruth and God’s mercy in molding the Gentiles into the people whom he envisions. The heart of the story lies in God’s ultimate provision. This is seen
Faithfulness in love is seen through the characters of Naomi, Boaz and his faithfulness to Ruth, in addition to faithfulness to God, and God’s blessings in return. The other key theme that sets the foundation of Ruth is honor. Boaz upheld a high respect and love for Ruth while he was fulfilling his lawful responsibility towards God’s law. Honor is shown through the way Ruth took care of Naomi and through the way that Boaz took care of both women, in addition to the way that God took care of each of them. Furthermore, redemption is seen in Boaz as the “kinsman redeemer”, who saves both Ruth and Naomi from a hopeless situation, thus illustrating how Jesus Christ has redeemed our lives. Though the story may seem like Ruth is the ultimate hero, the true stage light is focused towards pointing at the redemption of Naomi. The book of Ruth begins and ends focusing on Naomi, revealing God’s character in his faithfulness toward his covenant promise of protecting his elected people. He does this through his loving kindness and sovereignty in providing for the helpless widow. He also accomplishes this through his sovereignty by using the Moabites to provide for Naomi. An additional theme focuses on the redemption of Ruth and God’s mercy in molding the Gentiles into the people whom he envisions. The heart of the story lies in God’s ultimate provision. This is seen