Ruth The Moabite

When people read the book of Ruth, many begin to think that Ruth must be an Israelite. I mean after all, why would God name a book of the Bible written to and about the Israelites after the name of a heathen?

Ruth 1:1 KJVS

Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Beth–lehem–judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.

One of the first pieces of evidence we get, is the time in which the events took place. Ruth took place during the time when “the judges ruled” but what significance does that bear?

Judges 17:6 KJV

In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

During the time of the judges we had no king. Meaning the tribes were more or less self governed. As a result, we had less order and structure. And with less order and structure laws we’re not always enforced the way they should have been.

Ruth 1:1-2 KJVS

Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Beth–lehem–judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. [2] And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Beth–lehem–judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.

This information lets us know that Elimelech, Naomi and their two sons were Israelites.

Ruth 1:4 KJVS

And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.

But the two sons Mahlon and Chilion decided to marry women not just in the region or land of Moab but of the people; the very daughters of Moab.

Ruth 1:6-8 KJVS

Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread. [7] Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah. [8] And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.

Naomi’s sons and husband are all dead now. And with her receiving news that the famine was passed she decided to leave the land of Moab and begin to return back to the land of Judah. Back to the land of her people. But informed her two daughter in laws to go back to their people. If in fact their people were the same, she would have simply have said something to the degree of, “let us now return back unto the land of our fathers.” But the distinction is being made so one would understand clearly the difference.

Ruth 1:9-10 KJVS

The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept. [10] And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.

Naomi’s daughter in laws understood that they were not the same people. They were not all Israelites. And they knew this could be goodbye but both wanted to stay with Naomi and be joined into her and her people back in her land.

Ruth 1:11-13 KJVS

And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? [12] Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons; [13] Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.

But she had to explain to them that there was no intrinsic benefit to them as young women still of child bearing age to stay with her. She has no more sons and is very old in age and highly unlikely she will marry again and generally past the age of child bearing. And if by some chance The Most High blesses her womb that she bear children, would they even wait for them to reach the age of maturity to marry them to validate staying with her? Even if just to fulfill the law pertaining to the duty of a brother? So naturally it would be best that she return unto her people so she may remarry and start a family.

Ruth 1:14-15 KJVS

And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her. [15] And she 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, Intreat 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:

Ruth was in a place where she really did not want to leave Naomi. Orpah was convinced by Naomi over time to leave and decided to hearken to her words and go back to her people and her Gods of her people. Now if they were the same people, why would Naomi allow that? She would have corrected her on those three accounts. 1. Why are you going to marry a heathen as an Israelite woman? 2. The famine is over, why stay in the land of Moab? 3. Why would you be going to serve other Gods outside of The Most High? But none of these things were brought up and on the contrary the opposite was proposed to Orpah because Naomi understood that Ruth and Orpah were not her people. They were Moabites. And they had every right to go back to their people and their customs at that point.

Ruth 1:16 KJVS

[16] And Ruth said, Intreat 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:

This is why Ruth continued to plead with Naomi and how we begin to understand the basis as to why she became worthy to receive a book named after her as a heathen. As well as confirmation that she was a heathen; “thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:” She understood what Naomi was saying and still wanted to be joined to Naomi and her people and to serve the God of Israel sincerely. Whatever it took and whatever came with it she was of a ready mind to entirely submit to the best of her ability. This is the mindset The Most High would like the other nations to have. To desire to be joined into us as Israel and serve our God of their own desire and in sincerity and in truth. And if you read the whole book of Ruth you will understand the mindset and spirit she had that serves as a model and example of the spirit the other nations should possess toward us and The Most High. Now, there would be no need to make this kind of request if she was in fact an Israelite. Regardless of tribe, this is prior to the New Testament and prior to King Solomon’s reign. The kingdom wasn’t split at this time so we weren’t two nations of people or a divided kingdom yet. And going precept upon precept as we have been doing, is what substantiates and brings us to a sound conclusion that Ruth was in fact of the seed of Moab.

Ruth 1:22 KJVS

So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Beth–lehem in the beginning of barley harvest.

Ruth 2:10-11 KJVS

Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger? [11] And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.