Ruth: Goes to Bethlehem
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The narrative of Ruth's journey to Bethlehem is a significant episode in the biblical Book of Ruth, which is part of the Ketuvim, or Writings, in the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament in the Christian canon. This account is set during the time of the judges, a period marked by social and religious upheaval in Israel. Ruth, a Moabite woman, becomes a central figure in this narrative, illustrating themes of loyalty, faith, and divine providence.

Background

Ruth was the daughter-in-law of Naomi, an Israelite woman who had moved to Moab with her husband, Elimelech, and their two sons due to a famine in Bethlehem. After the deaths of Elimelech and his sons, Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem upon hearing that the LORD had provided food for His people. Ruth, despite being a Moabite and having the option to return to her own family, chose to accompany Naomi, demonstrating her steadfast loyalty and commitment.

Ruth's Declaration

Ruth's decision to go to Bethlehem is encapsulated in her profound declaration of loyalty to Naomi, which is one of the most memorable passages in the Book of Ruth. When Naomi urged her to return to her own people, Ruth replied:

"Do not urge me to leave you or to turn from following you. For where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me." (Ruth 1:16-17, BSB)

This declaration not only highlights Ruth's loyalty to Naomi but also signifies her conversion and commitment to the God of Israel, leaving behind her Moabite heritage and gods.

Arrival in Bethlehem

Ruth and Naomi's arrival in Bethlehem marks the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. The town was stirred by their return, and the women of Bethlehem exclaimed, "Can this be Naomi?" (Ruth 1:19, BSB). Naomi, whose name means "pleasant," expressed her bitterness over the hardships she had faced, asking to be called Mara, meaning "bitter."

Significance of the Harvest

Their arrival coincided with the beginning of the barley harvest, a detail that foreshadows the providential care that God would extend to them. Ruth's willingness to glean in the fields to provide for Naomi and herself demonstrates her industriousness and humility. It is during this time that she encounters Boaz, a relative of Elimelech, who plays a pivotal role in the unfolding of God's plan for Ruth and Naomi.

Theological Themes

Ruth's journey to Bethlehem is rich with theological significance. Her account exemplifies the virtues of loyalty, faithfulness, and the transformative power of God's grace. Ruth, a foreigner, becomes an integral part of the Israelite community and is ultimately included in the genealogy of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 1:5, BSB). This inclusion underscores the universal scope of God's redemptive plan and the breaking down of ethnic and cultural barriers.

Cultural and Historical Context

The account of Ruth takes place during a time when Israel was experiencing cycles of apostasy and renewal. The Moabites, descendants of Lot, were often in conflict with Israel, making Ruth's integration into the Israelite community all the more remarkable. Her account serves as a testament to the power of faith and the inclusivity of God's covenant community.

Ruth's journey to Bethlehem is a narrative that continues to inspire and teach about the virtues of loyalty, faith, and divine providence, illustrating how God works through ordinary people to fulfill His extraordinary purposes.
Nave's Topical Index
Ruth 1:19,22
So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi?
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Ruth
... It begins by telling us how a man of Bethlehem has been driven out of ... each other;
and Orpah kisses her mother-in- law, and goes back; but Ruth cleaves unto ...
/.../kingsley/the water of life and other sermons/sermon x ruth.htm

The Incarnation and Birth of Christ
... her marriage was celebrated; and in the streets of Bethlehem did Boaz and Ruth receive
a ... The very meanest of the family of God goes to Bethlehem for his ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the incarnation and birth of.htm

A Gentle Heroine, a Gentile Convert
... and weep and laugh, the gossips of Bethlehem talk over ... the conversation, nor follow
Orpah as she goes back to ... We rightly praise Ruth's vow, but we should not ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a gentle heroine a gentile.htm

The Earlier Hebrew Histories.
... us, after the death of Joshua, the narrative goes on to ... for ever." (Deuteronomy
23:3, 6.) But Ruth, the Moabitess ... of one of the chief men of Bethlehem, with the ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter iv the earlier hebrew.htm

Second visit to Nazareth - the Mission of the Twelve.
... Between obscure Bethlehem in the far south, and obscure ... Matthew goes far beyond that
Mission of the Twelve ... execution of which Naomi described to Ruth as those ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxvii second visit to.htm

The Exile --Continued.
... on the strength of the blood of Ruth the Moabitess ... as thinking of the happy home
at Bethlehem now deserted ... The king goes his way all unawares, and, as it would ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/vi the exilecontinued.htm

Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested ...
... Behold, now Boaz came from Bethlehem Unto his reapers, and ... And Naomi said unto Ruth,
my daughter, 'Tis good that ... then take good notice where He goes about to ...
/.../scriptural poems being several portions.htm

The Rival Empresses --Pulcheria and Eudocia
... The story goes that the old philosopher was so confident that ... of Moses, of Joshua,
Judges, and Ruth, and of ... From Bethlehem, where the Mother found shelter in a ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/x the rival empressespulcheria and.htm

And ii.
... consequences which the peaceful influence which goes forth from ... Everywhere, Bethlehem
itself appears as the residence of ... 12), and likewise of Boaz, Ruth 2:4. ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i and ii.htm

Appendix ix. List of Old Testament Passages Messianically Applied ...
... paraphrases the tower of Eder' (at Bethlehem) as the ... The Messianic interpretation
of Ruth 4:20 has already ... three measures of sufferings [6428] one goes to the ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix ix list of old.htm

Resources
What is the story of Ruth and Boaz? | GotQuestions.org

Why did the first kinsman redeemer refuse to marry Ruth? | GotQuestions.org

What can we learn from Ruth's loyalty to Naomi? | GotQuestions.org

Ruth: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Ruth

Ruth and Naomi

Ruth: Becomes an Ancestor of Jesus

Ruth: Gleaned in the Field of Boaz

Ruth: Goes to Bethlehem

Ruth: Her Devotion to Naomi

Ruth: Marries Boaz

Ruth: Receives Kindness from Boaz

Ruth: The Daughter-In-Law of Naomi

Ruth: Under Naomi's Instructions Claims from Boaz the Duty of a Kinsman

Related Terms

Na'omi (21 Occurrences)

Bo'az (24 Occurrences)

Elimelech (6 Occurrences)

Naomi (25 Occurrences)

Mother-in-law (16 Occurrences)

Glean (12 Occurrences)

Kin (18 Occurrences)

Moabitess (7 Occurrences)

Boaz (25 Occurrences)

Girls (27 Occurrences)

Kinsman (29 Occurrences)

Salmon (7 Occurrences)

Obed (13 Occurrences)

Mahlon (4 Occurrences)

Relative (33 Occurrences)

Reapers (15 Occurrences)

Daughter-in-law (16 Occurrences)

Maids (28 Occurrences)

Chilion (3 Occurrences)

Barley (35 Occurrences)

Beth-lehem (49 Occurrences)

Threshing-floor (36 Occurrences)

Maidens (40 Occurrences)

Begat (112 Occurrences)

Orpah (2 Occurrences)

Gleaning (10 Occurrences)

Grain-floor (27 Occurrences)

Furthermore (41 Occurrences)

Threshingfloor (18 Occurrences)

Pharez (11 Occurrences)

Sheaves (13 Occurrences)

Cleave (52 Occurrences)

Maintain (50 Occurrences)

Begot (119 Occurrences)

Deceased (8 Occurrences)

Perez (19 Occurrences)

Nurse (23 Occurrences)

Relation (86 Occurrences)

Bethlehem (49 Occurrences)

Jesse (45 Occurrences)

Threshing (57 Occurrences)

Kissed (26 Occurrences)

Kisseth (14 Occurrences)

Tonight (23 Occurrences)

To-night (15 Occurrences)

Acquire (18 Occurrences)

Oath (286 Occurrences)

Shoe (13 Occurrences)

Kiss (39 Occurrences)

Floor (69 Occurrences)

Shouldst (61 Occurrences)

Nursing (14 Occurrences)

Intreat (13 Occurrences)

Amminadab (14 Occurrences)

Skirt (16 Occurrences)

Notice (44 Occurrences)

Bought (66 Occurrences)

Moabite (13 Occurrences)

Fields (199 Occurrences)

Hezron (19 Occurrences)

Gods (310 Occurrences)

Lodge (64 Occurrences)

Witnesses (69 Occurrences)

Pick (37 Occurrences)

Voices (76 Occurrences)

Goest (79 Occurrences)

Parted (67 Occurrences)

Buy (71 Occurrences)

Finished (157 Occurrences)

Native (35 Occurrences)

Redeem (56 Occurrences)

Widow (71 Occurrences)

Maidservant (73 Occurrences)

Buying (12 Occurrences)

Kindred (41 Occurrences)

Turneth (249 Occurrences)

Kindly (57 Occurrences)

Relationships (1 Occurrence)

Ruth: Gleaned in the Field of Boaz
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