Dec 05 2008
Ruth the Romantic
A few weeks ago, my friend Shannon told me how disappointed she was after studying the book of Ruth with her small group. She said she’d always thought that it was a romantic story, but now she just thought it was a legal issue lacking passion. So being the good friend I try to be, I promised to re-write the story for her in a way that was romantic.
As I started my research and read the book again, I became so convinced of its natural and original romance, that I felt like there was no way I could improve on the story! Here is what I found (you may want a Bible handy):
RUTH:
She gave up the prospect of being a wife and mother again, to adopt a new culture and faith, and take care of her mother in law. (Ruth 1:16-17)
All she had to do was accept the grace and blessings Boaz wanted to give her during the harvest (sounds a lot like the gospel, right?) (Ruth 2:23)
Naomi wanted to set Ruth and Boaz up, and so Ruth got all dolled up to look her very best, and spent the night at his feet, hoping he would love her enough to let her stay and not cause a scandal (Ruth 3:3-14)
BOAZ:
Before he knew who she was, he was attracted to her. He noticed her among all the girls in his field, and asked about her. (Ruth 2:5-6)
He didn’t want her to go anywhere else to work. He was generous in providing for her and was very protective of her. (Ruth 2:8-22)
He was impressed by Ruth’s character (Ruth 2:11-12, 3:11)
Can you imagine?! Here he has already demonstrated the kind of man he was, and the kind of husband he would be - the kind who would take care of his wife and family.
When Naomi sent Ruth to him, he listened to her and was generous to her. (Ruth 3:15)
Boaz wanted to marry Ruth, but since they were both noble characters, he had to be shrewed in his interactions with the closer kinsman and do things according to the law. That’s why he mentioned the land first. (Ruth 4:2-4).
I think he knew the kinsman would want the land but not the woman, because if he took the woman, he would have to take the name of her first husband. The land wouldn’t be his to take credit for, it would be Ruth’s husband’s. The kinsman didn’t love Ruth, he just wanted wealth and power. This comes out when Boaz reminds him that it’s a package deal and he changes his mind. (Ruth 4:4-6)
Can’t you hear the giddiness in Boaz’s voice when he announces what he has gained? (Ruth 4:9-10)
He took the property so he could get the girl, rather than the other way around. He had a lot of property anyway, and he was endangering his estate just as much as the other kinsman was. But he didn’t care - he gave up his own name, own power and wealth, to have Ruth as his wife. WOW! That is totally romantic…
So I couldn’t improve on the story… I am so in awe of this woman who was willing to give up everything - even romance - to follow God, and this man who gave her love and security and safety, and who used his wisdom and strength of character to win her in the end.
