This Bible story includes all the ingredients of a modern day romance novel. Ladies in distress are rescued by the hero providing for a happy ever after ending. But, more than that, we see ordinary people holding fast to their faith in God through the hard times and receiving their reward in the end.

The Main Characters

Naomi(lady in distress)      She was a Jewish woman living in a strange land. Her faith was evident enough in her life to cause her Moabite daughter-in-law to choose to worship the true God of Israel. You will remember from Ruth Chapter One how Naomi suffered the death of her husband and sons. Beaten down by circumstances and facing a life of loneliness and poverty, she was understandably bitter but never ceased to acknowledge God as Lord of her life.

Ruth (lady in distress)      This new convert to the Jewish faith, after suffering the death of her husband, gave up the security of her homeland, to care for her mother-in-law. After following Naomi to a strange land, she assumed the role of a servant and gleaned for food in the fields. As is common everywhere, people were watching and word traveled fast concerning this newcomer. However, through her devotion, hard work and obedience to the wise advice of her mother-in-law Ruth gained the respect of the townspeople.

Ruth 3:11

… everyone in town knows you are an honorable woman.

Boaz –Kinsman Redeemer- Hero      We meet Boaz in chapter two while Ruth is gathering food in his field. This successful businessman, loved and respected by his workers, is the romantic hero of the story

Ruth 2:4

While she was there, Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters. “The Lord be with you!” he said. “The Lord bless you!” the harvesters replied.

He is a man of integrity, kindness and generosity, going far beyond the law that God gave to Moses concerning care of the poor. –

Leviticus 19:9-10

“When you harvest your crops, do not harvest the grain along the edges of your fields, and do not pick up what the harvesters drop. 10 It is the same with your grape crop—do not strip every last bunch of grapes from the vines, and do not pick up the grapes that fall to the ground. Leave them for the poor and the foreigners who live among you, for I, the LORD, am your God.

Noticing Ruth gathering in his field and upon hearing of her hard work, Boaz instructs his men to pull out extra stalks of grain for her to gather and to offer her protection. He continues to show her kindness and respect throughout the story.
Read about their happy ending in The Happy Ending -
God Rewards Faithfulness.

If Ruth's story interests you, you will love this novella by Francine Rivers. Share in the sadness, struggles and the joy in UNSHAKEN. You won't be able to put it down.