Biblical Overview and Historical and Cultural Background

The marriage of Boaz and Ruth, as recorded in the Book of Ruth, stands out as an extraordinary event against the backdrop of ancient Israelite society. This union occurred during the time of the judges, a period characterized by social and moral upheaval (Ruth 1:1). Ruth, a Moabite woman, and Boaz, a respected Israelite landowner, came together in a story that beautifully illustrates themes of redemption, loyalty, and God’s will.

Ruth’s Background and Commitment

Ruth’s journey begins in Moab, where she was born and raised. Moabites were often viewed with suspicion and hostility by the Israelites due to their historical conflicts and religious differences (Deuteronomy 23:3-6). Despite this, Ruth married an Israelite, Mahlon, and embraced his family. After Mahlon’s death, Ruth faced a pivotal choice: remain in Moab or follow her mother-in-law Naomi to Israel.

Ruth’s decision to accompany Naomi was driven by a profound commitment. She famously declared, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following 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. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May Jehovah do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you” (Ruth 1:16-17). This vow highlights Ruth’s loyalty and her adoption of Naomi’s faith in Jehovah, marking her transition from a Moabite identity to an Israelite one.

Boaz’s Character and Actions

Boaz enters the narrative as a man of standing in Bethlehem, described as “a worthy man” (Ruth 2:1). His character is evident in his interactions with Ruth and his treatment of his workers. When Ruth gleans in his fields, Boaz ensures her safety and provides for her needs, saying, “Jehovah be with you!” and commanding his workers to let her glean among the sheaves without reproach (Ruth 2:4-16).

Boaz’s actions towards Ruth are driven by more than just kindness. He acknowledges her reputation and the sacrifices she made for Naomi, saying, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. Jehovah repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by Jehovah, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!” (Ruth 2:11-12).

The Concept of the Kinsman-Redeemer

A key element in the story is the concept of the kinsman-redeemer, a practice outlined in the Mosaic Law. This role involved a relative stepping in to marry a widow to preserve the family line and property (Leviticus 25:25, Deuteronomy 25:5-10). Naomi identifies Boaz as a potential redeemer for Ruth, given his familial connection.

Following Naomi’s guidance, Ruth approaches Boaz at the threshing floor, a bold move indicating her request for protection and marriage (Ruth 3:1-9). Boaz’s response is respectful and honorable. He acknowledges Ruth’s virtue and expresses his willingness to fulfill the role of redeemer, but he also mentions a nearer kinsman who has the first right of redemption (Ruth 3:10-13).

Legal Proceedings and Marriage

Boaz takes immediate action to resolve the matter legally and honorably. He convenes a council at the city gate, a traditional place for legal transactions, and presents the case to the nearer kinsman (Ruth 4:1-4). When the nearer kinsman declines to redeem Ruth and Naomi’s property due to the potential impact on his own inheritance, Boaz declares his intention to redeem it himself, stating, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and to Mahlon. Also Ruth the Moabite, the widow of Mahlon, I have bought to be my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brothers and from the gate of his native place. You are witnesses this day” (Ruth 4:9-10).

Boaz’s public declaration and the acceptance of the elders and witnesses establish the legitimacy of the marriage. This act not only secures Ruth’s future but also ensures the preservation of Naomi’s family line, demonstrating Boaz’s integrity and commitment to the laws of Israel.

Theological and Redemptive Significance

The marriage of Boaz and Ruth carries profound theological and redemptive significance. Ruth, a Moabite woman, becomes an ancestor of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ. The genealogy at the end of the book highlights this connection: “Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez fathered Hezron, Hezron fathered Ram, Ram fathered Amminadab, Amminadab fathered Nahshon, Nahshon fathered Salmon, Salmon fathered Boaz, Boaz fathered Obed, Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered David” (Ruth 4:18-22).

This inclusion of a Gentile woman in the lineage of the Messiah underscores the universality of God’s redemptive plan. It illustrates that faith and loyalty to Jehovah transcend ethnic and cultural boundaries, welcoming all who seek refuge under His wings.

The Unlikely Marriage of Boaz and Ruth

Ruth Was an Excellent Woman

Years before the events that led to the marriage of Boaz and Ruth, famine struck Judah, prompting an Israelite family—Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their two sons Mahlon and Chilion—to move to Moab. In Moab, the sons married Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah. Tragedy struck when Elimelech and his sons died, leaving Naomi and her daughters-in-law widowed (Ruth 1:1-5).

Hearing that conditions in Israel had improved, Naomi decided to return to her homeland. On their journey, Naomi convinced Orpah to return to her people, but Ruth refused, expressing her loyalty with the heartfelt words: “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following 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. Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried. May Jehovah do so to me and more also if anything but death parts you and me” (Ruth 1:16-17). Ruth’s devotion impressed the people of Bethlehem, who praised her as “better to [Naomi] than seven sons” and described her as “an excellent woman” (Ruth 4:15; 3:11).

Upon their return to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest, Ruth sought Naomi’s permission to glean in the fields to provide for them. Ruth’s diligent work and care for Naomi quickly drew the attention and admiration of Boaz, a relative of Elimelech (Ruth 2:2-3).

A Protector and Benefactor

Boaz was a devout worshiper of Jehovah, evident in his greeting to his harvesters: “Jehovah be with you,” to which they responded, “Jehovah bless you” (Ruth 2:4). After observing Ruth’s hard work and learning of her loyalty to Naomi, Boaz granted her special gleaning privileges. He told her, “Listen, my daughter. Do not go away to glean in another field, and do not go on from this one; stay close by my young women. Keep your eyes on the field that they reap and go after them. I have commanded the young men not to touch you. When you are thirsty, go to the water jars and drink from what the young men have drawn” (Ruth 2:8-9).

Ruth, astonished by his kindness, bowed and asked, “How is it I have found favor in your eyes, when I am a foreigner?” Boaz replied, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and the land of your birth and came to a people that you did not know before. May Jehovah reward your work, and your wages be full from Jehovah, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge” (Ruth 2:10-12). Boaz’s commendation was sincere, reflecting his respect for Ruth’s character and actions.

Later, Boaz invited Ruth to join him and his workers for a meal, further extending his kindness. Ruth ate her fill and saved some food for Naomi. By the end of the day, Ruth had gleaned about 20 quarts of barley, a testament to her hard work and Boaz’s generosity (Ruth 2:14-17).

Finding a Resting-Place

Naomi, recognizing Boaz’s kindness and his role as a kinsman-redeemer, sought to secure a future for Ruth by arranging a request for repurchasing, in accordance with God’s Law (Leviticus 25:25; Deuteronomy 25:5-10). Naomi instructed Ruth in a bold plan: under the cover of darkness, Ruth would go to the threshing floor where Boaz slept, uncover his feet, and wait for him to wake (Ruth 3:1-4).

When Boaz awoke, Ruth’s symbolic action signified her request for protection and marriage. She asked him to “spread your garment over your servant because you are a kinsman-redeemer,” a gesture highlighting his duty as a kinsman-redeemer (Ruth 3:9). Boaz, moved by her request, reassured Ruth, “And now, my daughter, have no fear. I will do for you everything that you say, for everyone in the gate of my people knows that you are an excellent woman” (Ruth 3:11). He praised Ruth for her loving-kindness, acknowledging her unselfish willingness to marry an older man to honor her deceased husband’s name.

A Repurchaser Retracts

The next morning, Boaz approached a closer kinsman, referred to as “So-and-so,” to discuss the matter of repurchasing Naomi’s land. In the presence of the city’s elders, Boaz explained the situation, and initially, the kinsman agreed to redeem the land. However, when Boaz mentioned that the redemption included marrying Ruth, the Moabite widow, to preserve her husband’s lineage, the kinsman declined, fearing it would jeopardize his own inheritance (Ruth 4:1-6).

According to custom, the kinsman removed his sandal and handed it to Boaz as a symbol of transferring the redemption rights. Boaz then declared to the elders and witnesses, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and to Mahlon. Moreover, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, as a wife to restore the name of the dead man to his inheritance, so that the name of the dead man will not be cut off from among his brothers and from the city gate of his home. You are witnesses today.” (Ruth 4:9-10).

The people blessed Boaz, saying, “May Jehovah make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel: and may you prosper in Ephrathah and proclaim a name in Bethlehem. And may your house be like the house of Perez whom Tamar bore to Judah, through the offspring whom Jehovah will give you by this young woman” (Ruth 4:11-12). With their blessing, Boaz took Ruth as his wife, and she bore him a son named Obed. Ruth and Boaz thus became ancestors of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ (Ruth 4:13-17; Matthew 1:5-6, 16).

A Perfect Wage

Throughout the account, Boaz exemplifies outstanding qualities—action, authority, self-control, faith, and integrity. He is generous, kind, morally chaste, and fully obedient to Jehovah’s commandments. Ruth, in turn, stands out for her love for Jehovah, her loyalty to Naomi, her industriousness, and her humility. Described as “an excellent woman,” Ruth did not eat “the bread of laziness” and shared her hard-earned gleanings with Naomi, embodying the happiness that comes from giving (Proverbs 31:27, 31; Acts 20:35; 1 Timothy 5:4, 8).

Naomi is remembered by Jehovah, Ruth receives “a perfect wage” as an ancestress of Jesus Christ, and Boaz is blessed with “an excellent woman.” Their story provides timeless examples of faith, loyalty, and God’s will. Through their lives, we see the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan and the inclusiveness of His grace, welcoming all who seek refuge under His wings.

The story of Boaz and Ruth is a testament to God’s will, human loyalty, and the faithfulness of Jehovah. It shows how God works through ordinary people and events to fulfill His purposes. The unlikely marriage of Boaz and Ruth not only provides a beautiful narrative of love and redemption but also lays the groundwork for the coming of the ultimate Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Through this union, the book of Ruth highlights the inclusive nature of God’s grace and the far-reaching impact of faithful obedience to His commands.

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