Last week while studying, in the background on the television was an old movie about the biblical characters in the book of Ruth. The movie, “The Story of Ruth” was released in 1960, starring Elana Eden as Ruth, and Stuart Whitman as Boaz. The movie is described as an adaptation of the biblical story of Ruth, and that “The film explores themes of tolerance, acceptance, love, and faith.”
Do I suggest you watch the movie? No, not at all. It is only a loose adaptation. Certainly not as ridiculous as the more recent Hollywood treatment of Noah, as an example, but no effort was made for “The Story of Ruth” to be an accurate representation of God’s word. Hollywood does not do a good job of following the Bible, something that should be obvious to all.
In the film, Ruth is described as a priestess of the idol Chemoth, and that her departure from Moab was seen as sufficiently treasonous that a scheme to bear false witness against her via two spies was hatched. The plot is convoluted with Ruth and Boaz having an initial love/hate relationship, and the nearer relation to Naomi desperately wanting to take Ruth as his wife to further his influence and wealth. Only in the end, when the relative is seen to be a fraud is there the resolution of Boaz and Ruth marrying. I guess the biblical narrative was too mundane and conflict free to sustain a Hollywood treatment.
Of course, the purpose of the Bible is to reveal God’s will, not to entertain. This short book has much to commend it, and despite a lack of conflict between the characters, it is a joyous read. Best of all, it is totally true! Set in the days of the judges (1:1), it tells the story of love. The love of Naomi, of Orpah, of Boaz and of Ruth.
Naomi was a Jewess, the wife of Elimelech and mother of two sons, Mahlon and Chilion. The family was of the tribe of Judah who left Bethlehem to travel to Moab during a time of famine. The sons married Moabite women (Orpah and Ruth). The men in the family have no significant part to play in the narrative other than giving Naomi a reason to return following the death of all three. All of this is revealed in verses 1-5.
Consider what we can learn from the other individuals in the narrative:
Orpah. Orpah loved her in-laws. The text indicates (1:10) her initial intent to travel to the land of Judah with her mother-in-law, even though her husband had died. It was at the behest of Naomi (1:11-13) that Orpah returned to her own home, and we know nothing more of her.
Naomi. It is difficult to know the full extent of her devastation at the loss of Elimelech and her sons. There are verses that show the depth of her mourning (1:12, 20-21), but she never lost her faith in the Lord. “Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, ‘Blessed be he of the Lord, who has not forsaken His kindness to the living and the dead” (2:20). Interestingly, the book ends with a celebration of Naomi at the marriage of Ruth and Boaz, and the birth of their child Obed. “Also the neighbor women gave him a name saying, ‘There is a son born to Naomi’” (4:17).
The majority of the book revolves around Ruth and Boaz, and the examples of kindness and love they showed not only to one another, but to others as well.
Ruth. One of the most beautiful passages in all of scripture relates the sentiments of Ruth at Naomi’s suggestion she return to her own people. “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 I will be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me” (1:16-17).
This loving and humble spirit possessed Ruth throughout all the circumstances of her life. It was that same spirit that caused her obedience to her mother-in-law’s instructions, her chaste and respectful treatment of Boaz, and her acceptance of Jehovah as God.
Boaz. Boaz is a righteous example of what it means to be a man. He was generous, accepting and law abiding. He had a significant sense of duty and family, and despite his wealth, had a humble spirit. All of this can be seen in the way he treated Naomi, Ruth, and his kinsmen; as well as the demonstration of his regard for the laws and customs of his people. This was not characteristic of the times, as God revealed in the book of Judges (17:6; 21:25), “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
Yes, the book of Ruth is a love story. But it is not a “Hollywood romance.” It is a story of how faithful servants of God treat one another. It is a historical narrative from God that is eminently applicable to our own lives.
God put Ruth the Moabitess in His scheme of redemption. Jesus Christ is a direct descendent of David, through Jesse, Obed and his father Boaz (4:21-22; cf. Matthew 1:1-17). We are thankful for the story of the young Moabite woman who adopted (and was adopted by, 3:11; 4:11-12, 15) the Jewish people and Jehovah God.
