by Richard Ellis

Created on: June 02, 2009   Last Updated: August 29, 2009

The Book of Ruth contains not one, but three great love stories:

The central love story is one of romantic love which develops between a Jewish man, Boaz, and a gentile woman, the Moabite, Ruth.

The second love story is one of familial love which arises between Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi.

But a third and greater love story may also be implied: That of Christ's agape love and redemptive grace. The parallels are unmistakable: A Jew named Boaz, (the kinsman-redeemer), reflects Christ (the saving redeemer of all men), and the Gentile Ruth, (unable to save herself), reflects lost sinners of the world (unable to save themselves).

The story begins in Bethlehem in the days of the judges when famine was in that land. Because of this famine, a man named Elimelech sojourned with his wife Naomi, and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion to the country of Moab where there was plenty. While living in Moab Elimelech died. The two sons married Moabite women; Chilion married Orpah and Mahlon married Ruth. Each of the sons died, without heirs, leaving Naomi with no husband or sons to support her and her two widowed daughters-in-law.

At this point Naomi decided to go back to Bethlehem because she had heard that "the LORD had visited His people in giving them bread." (Ruth 1:6) As she was returning, she advised Orpah and Ruth to each return to their mother's house. After some discussion on the matter, Orpah returned to her own people, but Ruth insisted on staying with Naomi.

As mentioned a the beginning of this article, this is not just a love story between the man Boaz and the woman Ruth. It is also the story of Naomi's love and faithfulness to Ruth and Ruth's Love and faithfulness To Naomi, as can better be seen through reading the actual scripture:

"And she [Naomi] said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law. [16] And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: [17] Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. [18] When she saw that she was steadfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her." (Ruth 1:15-18)

This is one of the greatest testaments of love in the Bible. Parts of it are well known in the world today and are often used in wedding

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