Ruth shows how God is at work in the day to day activities of average people. All the characters face life's normal challenges (death, moving, lack of financial resources, familial responsibilities, etc.) and find God is weaving a story of redemption out of all the details.

In Ruth 3:6–9, Ruth takes Naomi's plan and tweaks it. Naomi has developed an elaborate scheme whereby Ruth can carefully approach Boaz and present herself as marriage material. Ruth follows the plan but adds that she expects Boaz, as Naomi's relative, to generously provide for Naomi.

Boaz understood Ruth's request and he commended her for her kindness, purity, reputation, and virtue. Further, Boaz promises to grant Ruth's request by introducing her to a closer relative or, if that relative would not marry her, by being a kinsman-redeemer himself.

Now that their physical needs are addressed, Naomi wants Ruth married to Boaz. Ruth wants Boaz to provide an heir for Naomi. Boaz is again impressed with Ruth's self-sacrifice and agrees (Ruth 3). After negotiating with a closer relative, Boaz marries Ruth and gives Naomi a son.

In one of the most famous lines in the Old Testament, Ruth tells Naomi, "Where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God" (1:16).

Boaz prays that Ruth will be blessed of the Lord because of this action. Boaz's interpretation is that her action in seeking marriage with Boaz is a better kindness to Naomi than the first kindness of gleaning in the fields on her behalf.

Book Summary Naomi, an Israelite, leaves her home during a famine. While away, in Moab, her husband and sons die. Naomi convinces one of her Moabite daughters-in-law to leave her and seek a new life. The other, Ruth, refuses, declaring her love and loyalty to Naomi.