Introduction:
Ruth and Naomi are central figures in the Book of Ruth, a narrative found in the Old Testament. Their account is a profound testament to loyalty, faith, and divine providence. The account takes place during the time of the judges, a period marked by social and religious upheaval in Israel.

Naomi:
Naomi, whose name means "pleasant," is an Israelite woman from Bethlehem in Judah. She is married to Elimelech, and they have two sons, Mahlon and Chilion. Due to a severe famine in Bethlehem, Naomi and her family relocate to Moab, a neighboring country often at odds with Israel (Ruth 1:1-2).

Tragedy strikes when Elimelech dies, leaving Naomi a widow in a foreign land. Her sons marry Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth, but after about ten years, both sons also die, leaving Naomi bereft of her immediate family (Ruth 1:3-5). Hearing that the Lord had provided food for His people in Judah, Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem, urging her daughters-in-law to remain in Moab and remarry (Ruth 1:6-9).

Ruth:
Ruth, whose name means "friend" or "companion," is a Moabite woman and the widow of Mahlon. Despite Naomi's insistence that she stay in Moab, Ruth demonstrates remarkable loyalty and devotion. She famously declares, "Do not urge me to leave you or to turn from following you. For where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God" (Ruth 1:16). This pledge signifies Ruth's conversion to the faith of Israel and her commitment to Naomi.

Return to Bethlehem:
Ruth and Naomi return to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest. Their arrival causes a stir in the town, and Naomi, expressing her grief, asks to be called Mara, meaning "bitter," because she feels the Almighty has dealt bitterly with her (Ruth 1:19-21).

Ruth's Labor and Boaz:
To provide for Naomi and herself, Ruth goes to glean in the fields, a practice allowed by Mosaic Law to support the poor and the foreigner (Leviticus 19:9-10). She happens to glean in the field of Boaz, a wealthy and influential relative of Elimelech. Boaz notices Ruth's diligence and kindness to Naomi and extends protection and generosity to her, instructing his workers to leave extra grain for her to gather (Ruth 2:1-16).

The Kinsman-Redeemer:
Naomi recognizes Boaz as a potential kinsman-redeemer, a relative who could marry Ruth to preserve the family line and property (Leviticus 25:25-55; Deuteronomy 25:5-10). Following Naomi's guidance, Ruth approaches Boaz at the threshing floor, symbolically requesting his protection and proposing marriage (Ruth 3:1-9).

Boaz is moved by Ruth's loyalty and agrees to marry her, but first, he must address a closer relative who has the first right of redemption. The nearer kinsman declines, allowing Boaz to redeem the land and marry Ruth (Ruth 4:1-10).

Legacy:
Ruth and Boaz's union is blessed with a son, Obed, who becomes the grandfather of King David, placing Ruth in the lineage of Jesus Christ (Ruth 4:13-17; Matthew 1:5-6). Naomi's joy is restored through the birth of Obed, and the women of Bethlehem praise God for His provision and kindness.

Theological Significance:
The account of Ruth and Naomi highlights themes of God's providence, the inclusion of Gentiles in God's plan, and the importance of faithfulness and loyalty. Ruth's conversion and integration into the Israelite community foreshadow the broader inclusion of all nations into the covenant relationship with God through Christ. The narrative also underscores the role of women in God's redemptive history, showcasing their strength, faith, and pivotal contributions to His purposes.Ruth 1:16-17
And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave you, or to return from following after you: for where you go, I will go; and where you lodge, I will lodge: your people shall be my people, and your God my God:
Topicalbible.org

Ruth 1:14
And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth joined to her.
Topicalbible.org

5281. Noomi -- mother-in-law of Ruth
... Word Origin from naem Definition mother-in-law of Ruth NASB Word Usage Naomi (20),
Naomi's (1). Naomi. From no'am; pleasant; Noomi, an Israelitess -- Naomi. ...
/hebrew/5281.htm - 6k

Ruth and Naomi.
... RUTH AND NAOMI. ... Then they both dwelt in the city of Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
where we shall meet with them again. [Illustration: RUTH AND NAOMI.]. ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/ruth and naomi.htm

Ruth and Naomi.
... RUTH AND NAOMI. The story of Ruth and Naomi is one of the sweetest and most touching
of all the Bible stories. ... Ruth did as Naomi had told her to do. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/wee ones bible stories/ruth and naomi.htm

Ruth.
... He had a field of barley where the reapers were at work, and Ruth asked Naomi if
she should not go and glean after the reapers, to get grain, for they were poor ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xvi ruth.htm

The Story of Ruth, the Gleaner
... That evening, Ruth showed Naomi how much she had gleaned, and told her of the
rich man Boaz, who had been so kind to her. And Naomi said: ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of ruth the.htm

Ruth
... The love"stronger than country"of Ruth for Naomi, the gracious figure of Boaz as
he moves about the fields with a word of blessing for the reapers, the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/ruth.htm

Ruth the Gleaner.
... They both wept, and Orpah, the elder, kissed Naomi and went away; but Ruth clung
to her and refused to go. ... [Illustration: Ruth and Naomi.]. ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/ruth the gleaner.htm

Ruth, the Gleaner
... There was no more poverty or hard work now for Ruth or Naomi, no anxious
days of wondering how long their flour and oil would last. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/steedman/the babe in the bulrushes/ruth the gleaner.htm

The Devotion of Ruth
... Then he went into the city. When Ruth came to her mother-in-law, Naomi said, "Is
it you, my daughter?" Then Ruth told Naomi all that the man had done for her. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the devotion of ruth.htm

Boaz and Ruth.
... The servant replied, "It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of
the country of Moab." Then Boaz spoke kindly to Ruth, telling her not to go ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/boaz and ruth.htm

Ruth
... How Naomi bids Ruth wash and anoint herself, and put on her best garments, and go
down to Boaz' floor (his barn as we should call it now) where he is going to ...
/.../kingsley/the water of life and other sermons/sermon x ruth.htm

What is the story of Ruth and Boaz? | GotQuestions.org

Why did the first kinsman redeemer refuse to marry Ruth? | GotQuestions.org

What can we learn from Ruth's loyalty to Naomi? | GotQuestions.org

Ruth: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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