The blessing extended to Ruth the Moabitess when she clave to Naomi is a beautiful example of the way the Lord has reached out in grace to the Gentile nations today. No covenant was ever made with her or her people. Naomi was even reluctant to take her back to the land of Bethlehem-Judah when she decided to return. There was, however, the allowance for the strangers. Ruth had no claim to blessing, but when she said, “Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee,” her mother-in-law took her along. This was the means of blessing to them both. Naomi was too old to have children and Ruth as a Moabitess was not allowed in the congregation.
The necessity for food obligated Naomi to send Ruth out in the fields to glean. The family of Elimelech had given up their land when they left Bethlehem-Judah, so now they must resort to gleaning in the fields of someone else. Boaz proved to be a compassionate man who made special allowances and gave extra portions to Ruth because of her need. Later Naomi sent Ruth to Boaz, with the claim that he was to raise up a seed to the dead. This was an even greater act of dependence on the graciousness of Boaz. Boaz proceeded to help them, after the nearer kinsman refused to do so because of Ruth. He (Boaz) bought all that had belonged to Elimelech’s family, and also Ruth the wife of Mahlon he purchased to be his wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance. When the child was born, Naomi took the child and laid it in her bosom and became nurse unto it. If Ruth had made any claim to the child it would have spoiled the inheritance of the child. She followed through with her words, “Thy people shall be my people, and thy God, my God,” and there she died. She shall have her portion when Christ comes.
What an example Ruth is of one who trusted in promises made to another family, continued steadfastly in pursuit of them, and found them through a good man — Boaz! How thankful we can be that our Lord Jesus Christ has become a kinsman-redeemer to us who have no claim to blessing through the covenants of God. He alone of His own desire sold all that He had to buy the pearl of great price.
D. C. Buchanan