By Jeffery M. Leonard, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Religion, Samford University
Ruth: All-In Commitment
Ruth 1:8–17
Scattered across the pages of the Bible are a striking number of places where non-Israelites — foreigners — are held up by the biblical authors as keen examples of character, dignity and fidelity. Jethro, Rahab, Job, the Magi, the Good Samaritan, Cornelius — all of these are treated as exemplary characters, figures who are often more worthy of praise than the Israelites themselves.
One on this list of “Righteous among the Gentiles” is the Moabite woman, Ruth. Her story is one whose tragic dimensions we often miss, especially how terribly she is treated by her mother-in-law, Naomi.
Understanding commitment (8–10)
Early in the Book of Ruth we find that tragedy has struck. Elimelech and his two sons have died, leaving Naomi and her two daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah, to fend for themselves. Naomi’s initial treatment of Ruth and Orpah seems kind enough as she blesses them, kisses them and attempts to send them back to their own people. When the daughters attempt to stay with Naomi, however, their mother-in-law’s demeanor begins to change.
Endures hard times (11–15)
Naomi tells Ruth and Orpah she is too old to bear more sons who could be their husbands, a point which seems obvious enough but which also seems to imply that new husbands is the only reason the daughters are wanting to stay with her. Worse, Naomi then appears to downplay the sorrow the daughters have experienced themselves when she insists, “It has been far more bitter for me than for you.”
Demonstrated by our actions (16–17)
Naomi’s words were enough to convince Orpah to return to her people in Moab. Ruth would not be dissuaded so easily though. The text tells us Ruth clung to her mother-in-law and protested her loyalty to her in some of the most memorable words in Scripture: “Your people shall be my people and your God my God.” Unfortunately Naomi did not return Ruth’s words of devotion. The text tells us only Naomi stopped speaking and turned for home. And with each passing chapter of the book, we find Naomi’s mistreatment of Ruth grows worse.
In Chapter 2, Naomi lets Ruth go out to the fields to try to glean scraps of barley left behind in the harvest, a dangerous task for a beautiful woman all alone among the harvesters. But Ruth would face even greater danger in Chapter 3.
When Naomi learns Ruth has caught the eye of the landowner, Boaz, she instructs Ruth to bathe and perfume herself, put on her best dress and go lie next to Boaz as he sleeps on the threshing floor. He would take care of the rest.
There Boaz could have done anything he wanted to Ruth. Thankfully he did not take advantage of her as he might have but instead took the steps necessary to make her his wife. Then we find Naomi’s last unkindness to Ruth in Chapter 4.
When Ruth bore a son to Boaz, the text tells us Naomi took the child from Ruth. She became his nurse and the women of the town proclaimed, “A son has been born to Naomi.”
All of Ruth’s loyalty would seem to have been for nothing. But, of course, it only seemed that way. Though Naomi may have taken advantage of Ruth and may even have taken her son, Ruth is the woman who would ultimately be honored in Scripture.
As we turn over to the pages of the New Testament, we find Ruth’s name once more. When Matthew records the genealogy of Jesus, it is faithful Ruth he mentions and not Naomi.
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