The little story of Ruth is a welcome relief after reading the book of Judges. Almost all the judges about whom we have any personal details, save Deborah, seem flawed and broken despite their strength and leadership. God uses them for periods of deliverance and peace for His people, but they are painfully imperfect vessels for God’s saving work.
The closing chapters of Judges tell an even bleaker story in which the theme offered at chapter 17 verse 6, “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes,” is demonstrated in ugly stories of lawless action and idolatry.
So turning the page after Judges 21:25, a closing repetition of that “In those days…” saying, one coming fresh to the biblical story might expect more of the same sort of dark narrative, given the opening of Ruth, “In the days when the judges ruled…” But what follows is a refreshing picture of good and pious people doing what is right and caring for each other despite poverty and grief.
This triptych by Thomas Matthews Rooke tells the story of Ruth beautifully (read right to left, like reading Hebrew). Naomi’s Moabite daughter-in-law Ruth is devoted to Naomi and returns to Bethlehem with her after the deaths of Naomi’s husband and sons. Boaz meets Ruth as she gleans with the poor along the edges of his field. After legal obstacles to their marriage are overcome, Ruth gives birth to Obed, who is cherished by his grandmother Naomi. Obed in turn is to become the grandfather of David, the great king of Israel.
One of the key features of Ruth’s story is her foreignness. She is a Moabite. Moab was an enemy of Israel and refused them help and passage through their land during the journey from Egypt to Canaan. Now Moab in the person of Ruth is redeemed and brought into the history of God’s people. The welcomed stranger becomes part of the story of salvation.
Throughout Scripture we learn over and over that there really are no strangers to God’s kingdom. His borders stand open to all who wish to enter and receive His grace and love. We see that in Jesus’ dealings with people like the Roman centurion and the Syro-Phoenician woman and in Paul’s great mission to the Gentiles in Europe. May we see it still reflected in our own attitudes toward and dealings with those who are strangers to us.