Ruth's Journey
Ruth 1–4 · the time of the judges
From the fields of Moab to the fields of Bethlehem – a short journey with great theological depth. The foreign woman who chooses the Lord's people and becomes the ancestress of David and of Jesus (Ruth 1–4).
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Ruth’s Journey on map
Ruth 1–4 · the time of the judges
From the fields of Moab to the fields of Bethlehem – a short journey with great theological depth. The foreign woman who chooses the Lord's people and becomes the ancestress of David and of Jesus (Ruth 1–4).
Trip stops (8)
1
Bethlehem (departure)
Ruth 1:1-2
Famine in Judah. Elimelech takes his wife Naomi and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, and goes to the land of Moab.
2
Moab
Ruth 1:3-5
Ten years in Moab. The sons marry Moabite women – Orpah and Ruth. Elimelech dies, then both sons. Naomi is left alone with two daughters-in-law.
3
The road to Judah (the parting of the ways)
Ruth 1:6-18
Naomi wants to send her daughters-in-law home. Orpah kisses her goodbye and turns back. Ruth clings to her: "Where you go I will go. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God."
4
Bethlehem (arrival)
Ruth 1:19-22
The two women arrive at the beginning of the barley harvest. The whole town is stirred. Naomi says: "Do not call me Naomi ('pleasant') – call me Mara ('bitter'), for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me."
5
The fields of Boaz
Ruth 2:1-23
Ruth gleans after the reapers – "as it happened" in the field of Boaz. He is a relative of Elimelech. "Stay here in my field," he says. "I have been told all that you have done for your mother-in-law."
6
The threshing floor of Boaz
Ruth 3:1-18
Naomi sends Ruth to the threshing floor at night. Ruth lies down at Boaz's feet and asks him to spread the corner of his garment over her – the duty of the kinsman-redeemer. Boaz is moved: "You are a woman of worth."
7
The gate of Bethlehem
Ruth 4:1-12
At the town gate Boaz negotiates with the nearer kinsman, who gives up his right. Boaz buys Elimelech's land and takes Ruth as his wife. The elders bless him: "May the Lord give you offspring by this young woman, like Perez, whom Tamar bore."
8
Bethlehem (Obed is born)
Ruth 4:13-22
Ruth gives birth to a son, Obed. The neighbour women congratulate Naomi: "Your daughter-in-law who loves you is more to you than seven sons." Obed becomes the father of Jesse, the father of David.