Shortly after Ruth, the Moabitess, became a widow, her mother in law – Naomi, a widow for many years, wanted to return home to Bethlehem in Judah, her home country. It saddened her that both her sons were dead and that she had no hope of grandchildren. Ruth, her daughter in law, refused to let her go to Bethlehem by herself and said – ‘where you go I go, where you stay I stay, your people shall be my people and your God shall be my God.’ 

Ruth’s mind was made up, and she went with Naomi. They travelling on foot as people did 3000 years ago. They arrived destitute and poor. Then Ruth said to Naomi, ‘Let me go pick up grain after the reapers among the sheaves in the field because we need bread to survive.’

Naomi had family in Judah, on her deceased husband’s side. He was a mighty man of wealth and his name was Boaz. When Ruth went to pick up grain, she found herself in Boaz’s field. He saw her and inquired after her. He then approached her and said to her ‘pick not grain in another field, neither go from here but stay with these young maidens of mine. Keep your eyes on the field and go with them. I’ve commanded the young men that they shall not touch you and when you are thirsty go to the vessels and drink of that which the young men have drawn.’

Then she bowed herself down and said to him, ‘Why have I found grace in your eyes that you should take knowledge of me, a stranger.’

The story then weaves circumstances between Ruth and Boaz. The Jewish law commands the next of kin to marry the widow of a deceased brother for the prospect of children, in this case grandchildren for Naomi.  Boaz clearly adores Ruth and marries her. Soon, Naomi becomes a grandmother. Ruth request is answered beyond her wildest dreams.

Prayer is like that.