Jewish tradition tells us that Ruth was the daughter of Eglon, king of Moab. According to the Midrash, her beauty was outstanding “as that of a young girl,” even though she was about 40 years of age. Her character was impeccable, and humility and modesty were among her greatest virtues.

We also learn from the Jewish tradition that Boaz was from the city of Bethlehem in Judah and was believed to be much older than Ruth. According to the rabbis, Boaz was about 80 years of age when he married Ruth. He is believed to have been a widower with no children at the time of their marriage.

Deuteronomy 25:7–10 records a ceremony known as Chalitzah, which is performed for a man who refuses to fulfil his obligation of Levirate marriage. When Ruth went to Boaz, lay at his feet during the night, and uncovered his feet (3:4, 7), it is believed that she was reminding him of his responsibility as a kinsman-redeemer to fulfil his obligation to marry her. The uncovering of his feet is believed to be an allusion to the Chalitzah ceremony.

A portrait of the Messiah and His gracious love is clearly seen in the lives of Ruth and Boaz. It is truly a picture of His love for you and me. Just as Boaz willingly redeemed and restored Ruth to her full inheritance, so Jesus the Messiah wants to do the same for you.

And we can also meditate on the fact that the book of Ruth is always read in the synagogues on Shavuot (or Feast of Weeks or Feast of Firstfruits) showing that it is much more than a beautiful love story: The Law was given to Moses at Sinai on Shavuot and we also reflect on Pentecost. Like everywhere in the Word of God, the deep treasures of God are hidden all over in every book of the Bible. md

Source: Mark Robinson, former Western States Director for The Friends of Israel
https://israelmyglory.org/article/ruth-and-boaz-the-story-of-the-kinsman-redeemer/

Source: My Jewish Learning, Herbert N Bronstein
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/the-story-of-the-book-of-ruth/

Additional scriptures for further study: Leviticus 23:9-22; Ruth 1:16; Psalm 37:23; Joel 2:28-29; Matthew 6:36-38; Acts 2; Ephesians 3; Hebrew 6:15-20.