Ruth and the Kindness of God: Seven Lamp Posts to Guide You Home

During the time of judges of ancient Israel, before the monarchy in that nation, Elimelech and his family journeyed to Moab, to escape the famine in Bethlehem. After the death of this patriarch, his sons married Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth. Then, after ten years, the sons died too. The two widowed daughters-in-law remained with Naomi, the widow of Elimelech.

Consumed with sorrow, Naomi decided to return to Judah, but discouraged the younger widows from accompanying her. Ruth clung to her mother-in-law, vowing to make Naomi's God her God. Her sister-in-law returned to her family and her gods. Now in a foreign land, Ruth was determined to care for her aging adopted mother. By divine providence, the Moabite heroine met Boaz, a distant relative of Elimelech. He showered her with kindness and generosity. The Moabitess reciprocated these virtues and the love interest.

What follows is one of the most moving love stories in history, which draws attention to the greater Kinsman-Redeemer from the line of Boaz. The God-Man, Jesus Christ, was born from the line of Ruth's great-grandson, king David. He personifies divine kindness. He purchased a bride for Himself and with His own blood rescued people from the destitution of sin (Titus 2:14).