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TITLE: A Virtuous Woman | Previous Challenge Entry
By Dot Hannah
04/22/15
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A Virtuous Woman

Life had dealt devastating blows, and she thought she would never recover. The sharp eyes of the older woman were filled with sadness as she applied herself ardently to the task of sending her two daughter-in-laws home. Like a great flaming rose the sun was setting, and Moab was scarcely out of sight when she discovered them following closely behind. Barely had she ceased to speak when both began to weep uncontrollably. As she tried to convince them to turn back, their sobs only continued and increased in volume.

“I have nothing else for you,” said Naomi, as she stood, heart racing and body trembling. “I am a walking dead woman, empty and hopeless. My husband and two sons are dead. I went away full, but the Lord is bringing me back home empty.” Four times she urgently said, “Go back.” Frightened, Orpah heard no hope in Naomi’s words. She understood Naomi would have no more sons who could become her husband. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law and resolved to go away, but Ruth clung to her. (Ruth 1:14) She said, “You are different from all the women I know. You have a relationship with a God who is alive. You need me, and I need you. I’m going to stand by your side. Your people shall be my people, and your God shall be my God.” Ruth had counted the cost and chose to love her mother-in-law and live by faith.

Pursuing their way for some time along the narrow roads, in the checkered sunshine, they arrived in Bethlehem, and everyone in town exclaimed, “Can this be Naomi?” “Don’t call me Naomi, call me Mara. The Almighty has made my life very bitter,” said Naomi. (Ruth 1:20) Cheerful and self-giving, Ruth said, “Let me go out into the fields and gather behind the harvesters any grain that is left over.” “Go ahead, my daughter,” said Naomi. It turned out she entered a field which belonged to a relative of Naomi’s husband. His name was Boaz. When he saw Ruth, he asked his harvesters who she was. “She is the Moabite who came back with Naomi,” they replied. He instructed his harvesters to leave handfuls on purpose for her.

Returning home with an abundance of grain, Naomi asked, “Where did you work today? Blessed be the man who took notice of you.” Ruth replied, “The name of the man I worked with today is Boaz.” “The Lord bless him for his stunning kindness, exclaimed Naomi. This man is our close relative; he is one of our kinsman redeemers. His quiet, good nature and reputation are much celebrated. No need to feel any apprehension for he will take good care of you.” Both Ruth and Naomi counted their blessings and praised God.

Naomi encouraged Ruth to go to Boaz in the middle of the night and lie at his feet. She made it known that she wanted him to cover her, a symbolic way of expressing a desire for marriage. Boaz had already shown an interest in Ruth with his kindness, and when she came gently requesting the mantle which was covering him to cover her feet, she melted his heart. She was letting him know she wanted his shelter and protection, that is, to be the role of kinsman redeemer. Since Boaz was not first in line, it was his legal response to offer the nearer kinsman the opportunity to redeem Ruth. He refused, and Boaz was free and clear to marry her.

Boaz took Ruth to be his wife, she conceived and gave birth to a son. She later became the great grandmother of King David, thus, Jesus was also her descendant. She and Naomi counted their blessings with exuberance. “Praise be to the Lord who has not left me without a kinsman- redeemer and sustained me in my old age,” said Naomi. The women in the town proclaimed, “Your daughter-in-law loves you and is better to you than seven sons.” (Ruth 4:14, 15) Naomi cradled the baby in her arms as the fragrance of blossoms, borne in by the breeze of an open window, filtered in. Her empty arms were now full. She was no longer Mara, but Naomi again. There were so many blessings to count.

Boaz is an Old Testament picture of our Kinsman Redeemer, Jesus. He voluntarily redeemed us with His precious blood and includes us in His eternal inheritance. We, too, have many blessings to count.

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