The faithfulness of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz in the midst of an unfaithful culture

Ruth’s story takes place during the time the Judges reigned over Israel. This time period was especially dark. It was all but devoid of the faithfulness the people demonstrated when they first entered the Promised Land. Even so, the main theme of the book of Ruth is faithfulness, and how it leads to redemption. 

Though the book is called “Ruth” it’s really Naomi and Ruth’s story. It is important to remember that this is a culture where women had no security outside of having husbands and sons, no ability to own land or gain wealth, no influence. These two women are guided, protected and provided for because of their faithfulness to Yahweh. It’s not the culture that ensures their care, it’s their willingness to be obedient, even when it doesn’t make sense. 

This is evident because Ruth stays with her mother-in-law after her husband’s death. She doesn’t return to Moab, to her former gods, or to her father’s home. As a non Israelite, Ruth must have learned about and become faithful to the God of her husband. However, his death would have released her to any obligation to his religion. 

During this time, a woman that was young and widowed would have been seen as foolish for giving up all her prospects of remarriage by staying with Naomi. On top of that, she chose to stay with another widow, an older widow with zero chance of remarriage. This would have been anything but sensible. Yet, she stayed. 

Two widows journeying alone back to Naomi’s homeland would have been vulnerable to starvation, thirst, and exploitation. Yet they went back to Noami’s homeland, the land of Yahweh’s people. Returning without any claim to a home or land gave them no assurance of provision. 

Then enters Boaz, a man who was faithfully following Yahweh and his laws. In the midst of a nation that was “doing what was right in their own eyes” (Judges 17:6) Boaz left the edges of his field unplowed for the poor just like they were commanded in Lev 19:9; 23:22.

Ultimately Ruth and Naomi found themselves back in Judah with the blessings of safety, a home and Ruth’s son. What they’d had previously was restored plus more!  

The original readers would have understood that despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, there were still faithful people in the times of the Judges and they should be faithful too. This also gave history and context to the line of David for the Hebrew readers and to the line of Jesus for the later Christian readers. This book would have helped them discern God’s goodness and faithfulness to the faithful. 

    The implications of this book are many. How do we treat those that are less fortunate? How can we care for those that are in need? What is the right thing to do in God’s sight? 

Ruth matters today because it is a case study in faithfulness. Will you be Ruth or will you be the other sister-in-law when times get hard. We shouldn't forget that the other daughter, Orpah, was given full permission to return to her father’s home. Culturally she was not doing anything that would have been considered “wrong.” What happens when God’s people are faithful to him even in times of extreme hardship? He always shows up and sometimes in unexpected ways. The timeless truth that we can apply is just to be faithful. Be faithful when you don’t “have” to be. Be faithful when it doesn’t make sense. Be faithful when no one is looking. Be faithful when those around you have bowed out. Just be faithful and wait in expectation for God to honor that faith.