Bible character overview - Ruth
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Time to read 4 min
Introduction:
Welcome to an insightful character overview of Ruth. Here you'll learn about who Ruth was, what she did, and her strengths and weaknesses. Also, we have provided questions related to the story of Ruth to provoke thought. They can also be used for personal/small-group studies.
Who was Ruth from the Bible?
Key facts
- When: roughly around 1200 - 1000 B.C
- Where: Moab
- Name meaning: ‘friend’ or ‘friendship’
Glimpse: Ruth marries into a Jewish family but soon all the males die. She is left with just her mother-in-law and her sister-in-law but is committed to her mother-in-law, Naomi. She takes on her culture and is loyal to the end. She births a son by whom Naomi is comforted after the loss of her son and husband.
Ruth and Naomi
As a Gentile, Ruth was despised by many Jews. However, unlike most Gentiles, she fully embraced Jewish culture, adopting their laws and traditions and worshiping the one true God. Ruth married Mahlon, the son of a Jewish woman named Naomi. Tragically, both Mahlon and his brother, along with their father Elimelech, died, leaving Naomi with only her daughters-in-law, including Ruth.
Questions
→ What is your story about coming to faith?
→ What difficult events have you faced in your life? How has God helped you through those?
'Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home. May the Lord show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me. May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.”'
Loyalty of Ruth
Naomi eventually felt compelled to return to Judah and urged her daughters-in-law to return to their own families. Although they were reluctant to leave her, Naomi reminded them that she had no more sons for them to marry, and there was nothing left for them with her. Upon hearing this, Orpah, the other daughter-in-law, departed. However, Ruth chose to stay with Naomi and went with her to Bethlehem.
Ruth’s declaration of loyalty is captured in Ruth 1:16-17:
"But Ruth said: 'Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever 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. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me.'".
Questions
→ What is true friendship?
→ Why do you think Ruth was so committed to Naomi?
“Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.”
Line of David
While gleaning in the fields one day, Ruth caught the attention of a man named Boaz. Boaz was impressed by her dedication to Naomi and her hard work. After some time, Naomi decided to sell a piece of land that belonged to her late husband, Elimelech. Boaz purchased the land and, as part of the transaction, he also took Ruth as his wife.
Boaz and Ruth married, and she soon became pregnant. The women of the community praised Naomi, saying:
"Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel! And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him." (Ruth 4:14-15)
The child born to Boaz and Ruth was named Obed, who would later become the grandfather of King David.
Questions
→ Do you think God can use anyone as a part of his plan?
→ Why do you think God used Ruth?
'Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him. The women living there said, “Naomi has a son!” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.'
Strengths:
- Loyalty: Ruth stayed loyal to Naomi even when she was told to leave for her own good. Not only that, she followed all her traditions and worshipped her same God
Weaknesses:
- N/A
Conclusion
Ruth was loyal beyond measure and is an example of the importance of being committed to those who are close to you. Ruth ends up being the great-grandmother of the mighty King David and therefore a great ancestor of Jesus. Anyone can be used by God, you just have to obey and commit yourself to Him.
''For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life''
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