Ruth is the third mother in the Gospel of Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus. The book of Ruth is set in the time of the Judges. A dark time for the people of Israel. This time period in the life of the Israelites begs the question, “Where will our help come from?” Ruth shows us the *hesed*love of God for his people. From the series, "Jesus' Family Tree" at Church of the Apostles.
Ruth 2:11-17, Ruth 4:13-17
Matthew 1:1-6; 16
Ruth is a Moabite, a people who have been condemned by the God of Israel. Ruth is an outsider to the people and story of God’s People.
The Hebrew word for “widow” can be translated, “One who is unable to speak.” This people group was one of the most vulnerable in the time of the Old Testament.
When we read the word “Kindness” at the beginning of Ruth it is the Hebrew word hesed. It is more than just kindness. It is a fierce love that rises up and defends. This love is the center point of God’s relationship to his people.
Because of Ruth and Naomi’s vulnerability, Ruth begins to glean the leftover grain from the fields around her home.
Boaz is a wealthy relative of Naomi. Boaz is probably either married, or a widow at this point. He is a man of faith in a time of faithlessness.
The Bible tells a different and better love story than we usually ascribe to this story.
The line, “under whose wings you have come to take refuge,” is calling on the imagery of God’s hesed love for his people. And sits at the center of Ruth and Boaz’s story.
Boaz prefigures the Gospel in his protective, defensive love of Ruth.
Ruth does not act out of a desire to save only herself. She is acting to save Naomi and Elimelek’s family. She is being bold and sacrificial in her invitation to Boaz.
Ruth mothers Obed, who fathers, David, who is a light in Israel’s dark time.
Ruth’s story still speaks to us today. Her mother in law, like a lot of us, often feel like we are forgotten or abandoned by God. And like Naomi, we are invited to look for God’s hesed love in ways that we don’t expect.
And like Ruth, those who are on the margins can image God to those in the majority, if we welcome them the hesed we have been given.