07/16/2026
On July 16th, the Church commemorates Ruth the Moabitess of the Biblical Book of Ruth. Ruth was a pagan who married into a Hebrew family. Although she had been raised pagan, her confession of faith in the God of Israel is one of the most striking in the Bible. After the deaths of Elimelech (Naomi’s husband) and their sons, Ruth accompanied her mother-in-law Naomi back to Israel from Moab. Ruth worked tirelessly to provide for herself and her mother-in-law by gleaning in the fields of Boaz, a relative of Elimelech. However, the women could not redeem Elimelech’s land on their own. Boaz agreed to be their “redeemer” and redeem the land for them, but also took Ruth as his wife in order to continue Elimelech’s line. After their marriage, Ruth conceived and gave birth to Obed, who continued the line of the Messiah. From Obed’s line were born both King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ. “Ruth’s kindness and selfless loyalty toward Naomi and her faith in Naomi’s God have long endeared her to the faithful and redounded to God’s praise for His merciful choice of one so unexpected.” (p. 530)
Let us pray: “Faithful God, You promised to preserve Your people and save Your inheritance, using unlikely and unexpected vessels in extending the genealogy that would bring about the birth of Your blessed Son. Give us the loyalty of Ruth and her trust in the one true God, that we, too, might honor You through our submission and respect and be counted among Your chosen people, by the grace of Jesus Christ, our Lord, and the Holy Spirit, who reign together with You, now and forever.” Amen.
Prayer quoted from and description adapted from “Treasury of Daily Prayer,” pg. 530.
Image: “Ruth im Feld des Boaz” by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld. Public Domain.
