Ruth: A Woman of Character

22nd in a series on how men and women in the Bible

deal with waiting, disappointment and unemployment

Ruth: A Woman of Character

Reflections on the Old Testament Book of Ruth

How do we behave when all that is familiar is stripped from us?  Being in a foreign country can often leave us feeling that our values and traditions have no place.  As a prisoner of war, Louis Zamperini was challenged on all fronts to surrender his values, character and integrity.  He survived in a raft for 47 days after his bomber crash-landed in the ocean during the Second World War and then was sent to a series of prisoner of war camps.  The movie about his experience was entitled “Unbroken” because he refused to cooperate with his captors by submitting to demands to broadcast anti-American propaganda or be humiliated by Watanabe, the Japanese corporal who was in charge of the prisoner of war camp.

Chapter 1: Tragedy determines our loyalty

In the Old Testament book of Ruth, we enter a time of famine and tragedy.  Naomi had lost her husband and two sons.  Like Louis Zamperini, Naomi was faced with unthinkable odds.   She and her two daughters-in-law were faced with a choice: stay in the land of Moab or return to Naomi’s home, Israel.  Orpah, at Naomi’s urging stayed but Ruth was unmoved.  She tells Naomi, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.”  

Do we judge Ruth as foolish and reckless or is her behavior an example of exemplary character that over time will be proven to be solid and true?  Naomi relented and the two of them entered Bethlehem where Ruth observed her mother-in-law in this new land. She must have been surprised at the reaction of the people to the apparent wear-and-tear life had had on Naomi as they remark, “Can this be Naomi?”

Chapter 2: Our character is formed in difficult times

Ruth does not wait for Naomi to provide for her but quickly initiated by gleaning in a nearby field.  A practice provided by God in the Law for the poor.  Leviticus 19:10 states, “Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner.”  A sign that Naomi must have discipled Ruth in the Law of her people.  In God’s sovereignty the writer notes, “As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz.”  This was the land of Naomi’s relative.  A good sign for an Israelite considering their deep devotion to family.

It can be humiliating to stoop to menial labor in a time of need, but we see Ruth as a model of behavior, “She came into the field and has remained here from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter.”  Maybe unknowingly, Ruth was representing a righteous woman, what it meant to be a daughter-in-law, a widow and a Moabite.  With each action we signal to the world to whom we are loyal and how one who believes as we do, behaves.

Chapter 3: Trusting godly advice 

Although God is sovereign we still need to act.  Ruth submits to Naomi who knew the culture of the land and followed her instructions.  The beauty of this partnership is that each was looking out for the other.  Ruth provided for their daily needs through her hard work and Naomi looked out for Ruth’s future by seeking out her kinsman redeemer - the nearest male relative who had the privilege or responsibility to act on behalf of a relative who was in trouble, danger, or need.

Naomi instructs Ruth in the following way after the work was done that day, “When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do.”  If we don’t understand the culture of the day, Ruth’s actions seem somewhat promiscuous and seen through the lens of modern times we may wonder if there was compromise in her character.  Knowing her behavior up to this point I am willing to give her the benefit of the doubt and trust that the culture provided for Naomi’s proactive plan.  A commentator notes that Ruth lay at Boaz’s feet, not by his side.  This episode also demonstrated that each actor in this drama was concerned for the other’s integrity and within the allowances of the culture’s best practices.

Chapter 4: Leaving the result to God

Now let’s wait and see what happens.  Naomi even says to Ruth, “Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today.”  She trusted Boaz and she trusted God.  The story concludes with Boaz negotiating with a nearer kinsman redeemer than he and we must admire the end result from the perspective of both.  The winner of the bargain would not only inherit the family’s land but also Ruth.  Land is one thing…but a woman along with the deal?  Boaz’s opponent stated, “Then I cannot redeem it because I might endanger my own estate.”  I think he meant, my wife would not appreciate the bonus included with the deal.

Boaz gladly accepted the responsibility of Ruth and Naomi’s land.  A good ending is always satisfying but a full view of the context reveals how God cares for his people and provides for all their needs.  Boaz was the son of Rahab the harlot of the defeated town of Jericho in the days of Joshua.  When Boaz marries Ruth, a Moabite, they have a child named Obed who becomes the father of Jesse who begets David.  Little did we know that when this story began that God was weaving, from many nations, the family line that would produce our Messiah.  As Paul Harvey, a radio commentator years ago used to say, “Now you know….the REST of the story.”

Let’s put this into practice

1. In a time of tragedy, to whom will you be devoted?
2. Does hard work and loyalty always pay off?  If not, is it still important?
3. Ruth sought to be a blessing to Naomi.  Are we a blessing to everyone with whom we come in contact?
4. How does our behavior and character bless previous and future generations?
5. Are we willing to do the right thing even if we don’t see the immediate outcome?
6. How well do we represent our people, our country or our company?
7. Are we willing like Ruth to do whatever it takes to make a living?
8. Have we ever had to obey rules that may seem foreign to us and have we exercised humility in their acceptance?
9. At the end of the day ask: “Who have I blessed?  What good work have I accomplished?  Is there anything left undone?”
10. Do you agree that values and ethics should supersede our socio-economic position?