Why should women read Ruth?
When it seemed that their circumstances could not be more devastating, two impoverished and desolate women found themselves to be the objects of God’s sovereign care. The book highlights sacrificial love within human relationships, between a mother-in-law and a daughter-in-law and between an honorable man and a virtuous woman in courtship. But the greatest display of selfless love in the book of Ruth is the foreshadowing of the coming Kinsman-Redeemer, Jesus Christ, who would give up Himself to rescue His Bride.
Biblical Womanhood- Dating
While we may not find cultural terms such as dating or courtship in the Bible, God has given us “everything required for life and godliness” (2Pt 1:3), including timeless principles for God-honoring dating relationships. Boaz and Ruth beautifully depict the dynamic of pre-marital romance between a man and a woman. Boaz was an honorable man (2:1) who acted with integrity and respected authority (3:11-13; 4:1-10). He protected Ruth’s reputation from potential harm (2:9), guarded her honor (3:14) and provided for her overall well-being (2:8,14-16). Boaz respectfully pursued Ruth for the purpose of marriage and was capable of providing for a wife. Ruth was a virtuous woman who was concerned for the needs of others (2:2-3), hardworking and submissive (2:23; 3:5), and committed to her family (1:16-17). While Ruth made herself available to Boaz, she did not initiate their romantic relationship (3:1-11). Further, she received and followed the counsel of an older, godly woman (3:5). Both Ruth and Boaz were known for their noble character and devotion to God (2:1; 3:11), the ideal prerequisite for a potential spouse.