photo by Sixteen Miles Out

“Hey everyone! I’m Emily Cox and this is Love Notes: Timeline Edition. Today we’re traveling back to Ancient Israel during the reign of the judges to interview Ruth and Boaz, the great-grandparents of King David.”

(to Ruth and Boaz) welcome to the show”

Boaz: “The Lord be with you.”

Emily: “And with you. I’m really looking forward to hearing your love story today! As I understand, you both come from really different backgrounds, right?”

Boaz: “Yes. From my earliest memories I was taught about the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, even though many of my fellow Israelites had forgotten him. I grew up in Israel, but Ruth grew up in Moab.”

Emily: “I take it Moab is a lot different than Israel?”

Ruth: “For sure. Israel is Yahweh’s chosen nation, a group of people in covenant with him. Moab is a nation of pagans – the people there worship wood and stone instead of the God who made those things.”

Emily: “How sad. So how did you move from worshiping wood in Moab to worshiping the One True God in Israel?”

Ruth: “Believe it or not, it started with a famine.”

Boaz: “Yes. Without that famine, Ruth and I never would have met.”

Emily: “Really? Tell me more.”

Boaz: “Well, as I mentioned before, Israel had turned away from God, and my neighbors were acting like pagans even though they knew better. Our covenant relationship with Yahweh included blessing when we followed him and judgement when we turned away. Israel chose the cup of disobedience, and so he sent a famine on the land. During that famine, my relative Elimelech relocated his family to Moab, hoping to find a better situation there.”

Emily: “I see. But what does this have to do with Ruth?”

Ruth: “Elimelech was my father in law. When Elimilech and his wife Naomi came to Moab, they brought their sons with them, and their sons took me and my sister Orpah as wives. But as the years went past, Elimelech died, and so did our husbands. Naomi didn’t have much reason to stay in Moab at that point, and when she heard the famine in Israel was over, she packed up to go home. That’s when I decided to go with her.”

Emily: “Why do you think you made that decision, Ruth?”

Ruth: “I couldn’t bear to part with Naomi – she had really become like a mother to me. I had already lost my first husband, and I didn’t want to lose her too. Besides, I came to realize that the gods of Moab weren’t gods at all. I wanted Naomi’s people to be my people, and her God to be my God.”

Emily: “That’s so wonderful to hear how you came to know Yahweh. I also really want to hear more about how you met Boaz.”

Ruth: “Well, we met in a barley field! Based on the Mosaic law, reapers in Israel leave behind some of the grain for the poor. Naomi and I were relieved to be in Bethlehem, and we had each other, but we were definitely poor – that’s how I ended up gleaning in a field that belonged to Boaz, a kinsman of Elimelech’s. It seems that I just happened to choose that field. At the time I didn’t even know who it belonged to..now I see that hand of Yahweh guiding my steps.”

Emily: “That’s amazing. And now you’re married. How did that happen?”

Ruth (laughing): “It happened fast. And it was Naomi’s idea.”

Emily: “Really? How is that?”

Ruth: “One day during the time I was gleaning in Boaz’s field, Naomi suggested that I should ask him to spread his garment over me. That was another way of asking him to cover me with his protection through the covenant of marriage.”¹

Emily: “And you asked him?”

Ruth: “I did..”

Emily: “Wow, Ruth. You asked Boaz to marry you?”

Ruth: “You could see it that way. But Boaz is the first one who took action through the abundant kindness and provision he demonstrated toward me and Naomi – more than we could ask or think. I was asking him to continue his kindness and provision towards us through fulfilling the role of a Kinsman-Redeemer.”

Emily: “A Kinsman-Redeemer..could someone explain that term to our audience?”

Boaz: “Sure. Basically, it’s what it sounds like. A Kinsman Redeemer is a relative who redeems or buys back his family and their property to carry on the family legacy.”

Emily: “Ok. Thanks for explaining that. Now back to the proposal. How did you respond, Boaz? Were you surprised?”

Boaz: “Yeah, I definitely wasn’t expecting that, especially since I’m a bit older than Ruth. I felt quite honored, though.”

Emily: “Did you say ‘yes’ right away?”

Boaz: “I would have liked to, but it turns out that Elimelech had another nearer relative than me, and according to the law it was his duty to serve as the Kinsman-Redeemer. So I told Ruth to wait.”

Emily: “Hm, okay. Ruth, what were you thinking at this point?”

Ruth: “I was disappointed. I thought, ‘this wasn’t part of the plan!’ *laughing* But I knew that the Lord would continue to care for me and Naomi as he had in the past. And he was working everything out for the good of his people. He still is.”

Emily: “It’s so true. But what happened with the other Kinsman-Redeemer?”

Ruth: “Long story short, he refused to fulfill his role, so Boaz stepped in.”

Boaz: “He really missed out.”

Ruth: “Thank you, dear.”

Emily: “Wow, Ruth and Boaz, you have shared such an encouraging story with us today. Your lives really testify to God’s mercy and wisdom in guiding our path. He really does bring beauty out of ashes.”

Ruth: “Absolutely. When I Ieft Moab, I could never have imagined the times of refreshing the Lord would bring to me and Naomi. All I knew was that her God was my God – the only true God.”

Emily: “That’s a good place to start! Now, before we close, I’m going to ask two questions I usually ask on this podcast. I’ll start with you, Boaz. What is one thing you love about Ruth?”

Boaz: “Her kindness. I’m so blessed by the care and consideration she shows to everyone around her.”

Emily: “What a sweet testimony. What about you, Ruth? What is one thing you love about Boaz?”

Ruth: “One thing. Hm. There are so many things I love about Boaz..I guess I would say I love the way he reflects the covenant grace of Yahweh in his interactions with the people around him. As his wife, I experience that most intimately, but his attitude toward others is also one of grace. The widows, the orphans, the sojourners, the poor, the sick, the weak – they all know they can trust him. Boaz reflects the character of God towards his people, like sunlight shining on the sea of Galilee.”

Emily: “Wow. Thanks for sharing that, Ruth. I’ve really enjoyed talking to both of you today and tracing the story of God’s grace in your love story.”

Ruth: “Thanks for having this conversation with us.”

Emily: “It’s been my pleasure! (to audience) And thanks for listening, everyone. Join us next time for more Love Notes!”

Read More – The Book of Ruth in The Holy Bible.

1. Works Referenced in Love Notes: Timeline Edition –

John Macarthur Study Bible, Reformation Heritage Study Bible

Note: “Love Notes: Timeline Edition” portrays fictional interviews with real historical figures. It strives for historical accuracy but also may include creative license within the parameters of known facts.