Ruth The Matriarch

Biography

Ruth, also known as Ruth the Matriarch, was an Old Testament figure and the subject of the Book of Ruth in the Bible. She was born into a pagan family but later married a Jewish man named Mahlon. Unfortunately, Ruth's husband and her father-in-law passed away, leaving her and her mother-in-law, Naomi, widowed and facing a life of destitution. In their dire circumstances, Naomi urged Ruth and her sister-in-law, Orpah, to return to their own people and find new husbands. While Orpah heeded Naomi's advice and departed, Ruth made a remarkable declaration. She chose to accompany Naomi to Israel, declaring that the people of God would now be her people and their God her God. Ruth's unwavering loyalty and devotion to her mother-in-law demonstrated her deep faith and commitment. Upon their arrival in Israel, Ruth began gleaning fields to sustain herself and Naomi. Gleaning involved collecting leftover crops after the harvest, a practice that provided sustenance for the poor and destitute. Ruth happened to find herself gleaning in the field owned by Boaz, a wealthy and respected man from Bethlehem. Boaz noticed Ruth's exceptional character and kindness towards her mother-in-law. He identified her as a virtuous woman and showed her kindness in return. Impressed by her loyalty and faith, Boaz eventually took Ruth as his wife. Their union became blessed, and Ruth conceived a child. Their son, Obed, fathered Jesse, and Jesse became the father of David, who would later become the renowned King David of Israel. This divine lineage is considered particularly significant as it is traced further down the family tree to Jesus Christ, making Ruth an ancestor of the Messiah. Ruth's story serves as a beautiful testament to her faithfulness, loyalty, and trust in God. Despite her pagan origins, she demonstrated a remarkable willingness to forsake her previous life for a new beginning among God's chosen people. Ruth is often symbolically represented as a woman gleaning a well-harvested field of grain, symbolizing her humility, hard work, and reliance on God's provision. Her story also exemplifies the biblical themes of loyalty, love, and redemption. Although Ruth is not attributed with any specific patronages, her story holds a profound significance in Christian theology. Her incredible journey and the lineage of Jesus that descended from her make Ruth a highly esteemed figure within the faith. Ruth's feast day is celebrated on November 1st, although it should be noted that she was canonized and venerated as a saint before the formal process of canonization existed within the Church. Ruth's status as a saint predates the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, and she remains widely respected and admired for her faith and devotion to God.