This is the entire book of Ruth, put into a poem format. The divisions correspond to the sermons I preached on the Book of Ruth and each poem was given at the end of those particular verses. The small dash in the middle of each poem is where the Bible text ends and my own ending poetry begins. I hope you will enjoy this poetic journey through Ruth.
Be advised, this is NOT to be considered for doctrine and is not an attempt to change the word of God from its intent and meaning. Rather, it is a poem based on Ruth, nothing more.
Ruth 1:1-5
A Famine in the Land
Now it came to pass, as we understand
In the days when ruled the judges
That there was a famine in the land
Which brought about difficulties, toils, and trudges
And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah
To dwell in the country of Moab went
He and his wife and his two sons
Until the time of the famine was spent
The name of the man was Elimelech
The name of his wife was Naomi
And the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion
Ephrathites of Bethlehem, Judah, their place of residency
And to the country of Moab they went
And remained there in a new emplacement
Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died
And she was left, and her two sons
A husband and a father, they were denied
Now they took wives of the women of Moab
Orpah was the name of the one
And the name of the other Ruth
And they dwelt there about ten years under Moab’s sun
Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died
So the woman survived her two sons and her husband
Surely at this time, God’s plans had her mystified
————
We too live in a world of troubles, trials, and woes
And often things occur which make us question God
We shake our heads and take the path where it goes
And each step can be a painful, heartbreaking trod
But at the end of the miserable, weary path
We find that God was there all along guiding us
We thought that we were the objects of His wrath
But instead we were being molded to be like Jesus
His ways are far above ours, so let us in Him trust
Let us never let our faith fail as each day we live
He is tending to us, and all His ways are just
And so let us to Him all our praises give
Hallelujah and Amen…
——————————————————
Ruth 1:6-14
One Choice, Two Paths
Then she arose with her daughters-in-law
That she might from the country of Moab return
For she had heard in the country of Moab
Words which made her heart churn
That the Lord had visited His people by giving them bread
And so she prepared to move from Moab to Israel instead
Therefore she went out
From the place where she was on that day
And her two daughters-in-law with her
And off they went on the way
To the land of Judah to return
For her home her soul did yearn
And Naomi to her two daughters-in-law said
“Go, return each to her mother’s house I say affectionately
The Lord deal kindly with you my beloved
As you have dealt with the dead and with me
The Lord grant that you may find rest
Each in the house of her husband, may you be kept
So she kissed them, after them she blessed
And they lifted up their voices and wept
And they said to her through the streaming waters
“We will return with you to your people, surely
But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters
Why will you go with me?
Are there still sons in my womb
That they may be your husbands?
Save yourself from this gloom
Turn back, my daughters, go—
For I am too old to have a husband as you know
If I should say I have hope this day
If I should have a husband tonight, no longer alone
And should also bear sons, I pray
Would you wait for them till they were grown?
Would you restrain yourselves from having husbands too?
No, my daughters; this I cannot ask of you
For it grieves me very much for your sakes as you can see
That the hand of the Lord has gone out against me
Then they lifted up their voices
And wept again as if a dirge was sung
And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law
But Ruth to her tightly clung
————
In reality there was but one choice to make
Though down different paths it will lead
Will one cling to the God of Israel for heaven’s sake
Will they to His word pay heed?
If the answer is yes, the destiny is bright and sure
If the answer is no, there is no true hope at all
One must look to Jesus with a heart tender and pure
And on His glorious name each must call
Lord God, thank You for Jesus our Lord
Thank You for the chance to walk in His light
Help us all our days to hold to Your word
Until You bring us home to the land of delight
Until that day we will praise our Lord Jesus
Who has done such marvelous things for us
Hallelujah and Amen…
——————————————————
Ruth 1:15-22
Your People, My People; Your God, My God
And she said, “Look, as you can see
Your sister-in-law Orpah has gone back
To her people and to her gods
Return after your sister-in-law, don’t be slack
But Ruth said in words heartfelt and true
“Entreat me not to leave, please don’t do so
Or to turn back from following after you
For wherever you go, I too will go
And wherever you lodge, I will lodge too
Your people shall my people be
And your God, my God, it is true
I shall not ever leave you, this you shall see
Where you die, I will die, may it be so
And there will I be buried, I speak plainly
The Lord do so to me, and more also
If anything but death parts you and me
When she saw that she was determined to go along
She stopped speaking; her determination strong
Now the two of them went
Until they came to Bethlehem
When finally the miles were spent
And it happened, when they had come to Bethlehem
That all the city was excited because of them
And the women said, “Is this Naomi?”
She was a different woman, they could plainly see
But she said to them just the same
“Do not call me anymore Naomi
Instead now Mara is my name
For the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me
I went out full many years before
And emptily has the Lord has returned me to my door
Why do you call me Naomi
Since the Lord has testified against me
And the Almighty me He has afflicted
I have been tried by His trial and convicted
So Naomi returned along with Ruth
The Moabitess her daughter-in-law with her
Who returned from the country of Moab
Their future unknown and unsure
Now they came to Bethlehem the town
At the beginning of the barley harvest
There they together settled down
As the Bible story does attest
————
Lord, help us to see Your hand in all things
As directing our lives not for evil, but for good
Help us to accept everything that our life brings
And to honor you at all times as we should
Yes, troubles come our way, but there are always blessings too
And both the troubles and the blessings are being used by You
For our good and for Your glory
Everything comes as a part of Your plan for us
This is the message we find in Your gospel story
And it is all because of our Lord Jesus
Yes, thank You Lord for such kind and attentive care for us
And thank You for our blessed Redeemer, our Lord Jesus
Hallelujah and Amen…
——————————————————
Ruth 2:1-7
The Lord be With You and the Lord Bless You
There was a relative of the husband of Naomi
A man of great wealth and fame
Of Elimelech’s family
Boaz was his name
So Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi
“Please let me go to the field
And glean heads of grain after him
In whose sight I may find favor; who grace to me will yield
And she said to her, “Go, my daughter
It’s hot out there; please take plenty of water
Then she left, and went and gleaned
After the reapers, in the field
And she happened to come, it seemed
To a place where grace to her one would yield
To the part of the field belonging to Boaz, came she
To the field of Boaz who was of Elimelech’s family
Now behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem
And said to the reapers, “The Lord be with you!”
“The Lord bless you!” they answered him
Yes, the Lord bless you too!
Then Boaz said to his servant
Who was in charge of those who reaped
“Whose young woman is this?”
When he saw her, maybe his heart leaped
So the servant who was in charge
Of the reapers answered and said
“It is the young Moabite woman
Who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab
Now she lives here instead
‘Please let me glean and gather after the reapers, she said
Among the sheaves, was her request, to me this she pled
So she came and has continued
From morning until now
Though she rested a little in the house
She has worked steadily as her strength does allow
————
Though a foreigner to the land of Israel
Ruth has proven to be a humble, diligent soul
And though her state is lowly as the words do tell
It is apparent that she knows the Lord is in control
Oh if we could learn from her such a lesson!
To be faithful and diligent in our duties whatever they may be
Then we wouldn’t spend our time fretting and a’guessin’
What God has in store for us, instead we’d trust implicitly
We’d trust that He has every step of our life
Properly planned and carefully selected
Even the times of trials and strife
Can be times which are used to get our walk corrected
So let’s be like Ruth and hand our fate to the Lord
Trusting that He has it all under control
And let us continue to read, and love, and cherish His word
Let it nourish us and feed our hungry soul
For in this there is a great reward indeed
As we cling to Him and wait upon His return
May that day come soon and come with lightning speed
For this is what our longing hearts should yearn
Thank You O God for the hope which is instilled in us
Thank You O God for our Lord and Savior, our precious Jesus
Hallelujah and Amen…
——————————————————
Ruth 2:8-16
Bread and Grace in the Field of Boaz
Then Boaz said to Ruth
“You will listen, my daughter, will you not?
Do not go to glean in another field
Nor go from here, not from this spot
But stay close by my young women here
You will be safe and shall have no fear
Let your eyes be on the field which they reap
And go after them, this you shall do
Have I not commanded
The young men not to touch you?
And when you are thirsty
Go to the vessels and drink the water
From what the young men have drawn
Do this too, won’t you my daughter?
So she fell on her face
Bowed down to the ground, and to him said
“Why have I found in your eyes this grace?
Such wondrous favor and not sternness instead?
That you should take notice of me
Since I am a foreigner, and thus unworthy
And Boaz answered and said to her
“It has been fully reported to me
All that you have done for your mother-in-law
Since the death of your husband, that calamity
And how you have left your father and your mother
And the land of your birth also
And have come to a people, yes another
Whom you did not before know
The Lord repay your work
And a full reward be given you too
By the Lord God of Israel
Under whose wings for refuge have come you
Then she said, “Let me find favor in your sight my lord
For you have comforted me
And have spoken to your maidservant a kindly word
Though I am not like one of your maidservants, but unworthy
Now Boaz said to her at mealtime
“Come here, and eat of the bread
And dip your piece of bread in the vinegar
Come, and feel free as I have said
So she sat beside the reapers
And parched grain to her he passed
And she ate and was satisfied
And kept some back, feeling full at last
And when she rose up to glean
Boaz commanded his young men, saying
“Let her glean even among the sheaves
And do not reproach her, this to you I am relaying
Also let grain from the bundles
Fall purposely for her from your hand
Leave it that she may glean
And do not rebuke her, this please understand
————
Boaz’ care for Ruth is but a mere reflection
Of Jesus’ care for us, gentiles by birth
In Him there is a spiritual reconnection
So that now we have new and eternal worth
Thank You O God for the wondrous love You have lavished up us
And for the surety of life for eternal days
For You have sent us Your Son, our Lord Jesus
And so to You we extend all of our praise!
Yes! Now and forever hear our praise, O God
From our hearts and souls as in Your presence we trod
Hallelujah and Amen…
——————————————————
Ruth 2:17-23
Gleaning Through the Harvest Season
So she gleaned until evening
Out there in the field
And beat out what she had gleaned
And about an ephah of barley her effort did yield
Then she took it up and into the city she went
And her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned
The effort for which her day was spent
So she brought out and gave to her from her pack
After she had been satisfied what she had kept back
And her mother-in-law said to her
“Where have you gleaned today?
And where did you work?
The one who took notice of you, blessed be he I say
So she told her mother-in-law, probably elated
With these words she did say
With whom she had worked, and she stated
The man’s name is Boaz with whom I worked today
Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law
“Blessed be he of the Lord, yes a blessing upon his head
Who has not forsaken His kindness
Both to the living and the dead!
And Naomi said to her as she spoke
“This man is a relation of ours
One of our close relatives is this bloke
Ruth the Moabitess said then
“He also said to me, I do attest
‘You shall stay close by my young men
Until they have finished all my harvest
And Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law then
“It is good, my daughter, as he revealed
That you go out with his young women
And that people do not meet you in any other field
So close by the young women of Boaz she did stay
To glean, until the end of barley harvest did draw
And the wheat harvest too, yes all the way
And she dwelt with her mother-in-law
————
Though the work was hard, hot, and tiring
Ruth continued with it day by day
Her example to us should be all the more inspiring
Knowing that God used her efforts in such a wondrous way
In the end her deeds and life have been given
As sure examples to follow for each one of us
To be humble, dedicated, and loyal in this life we are livin’
And as we anticipate the coming of our Lord Jesus
As surely as Ruth will receive her just due
So the same is true for us as we bring glory to God
In Christ there is the certainty of reward for me and you
For all we do in His name while on this path we trod
Thank You heavenly Father for your kind hand upon each of us
Thank You for the greatest gift of all, our Lord and Savior Jesus
Hallelujah and Amen…
——————————————————
Ruth 3:1-5
Go Down to the Threshing Floor
Then Naomi, her mother-in-law, to her said
“My daughter, shall I not seek security for you
That it may be well with you and not difficult instead?
I will give instruction on what you are to do
Now Boaz, whose young women you were with
Is he not our relative whom we know?
In fact, he is winnowing barley tonight
At the threshing floor. Yes! It is so
Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself also
Put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor
But do not make the man yourself to know
Until he has finished eating and drinking, and is ready to snore
Then it shall be, when he lies down for his rest so sweet
That you shall notice the place where he lies too
And you shall go in, uncover his feet
And lie down; and he will tell you what you should do
And she said to her, “All that you say to me I will do
Ruth’s actions showed a daughter-in-law both faithful and true
————
Like Ruth we are to submit ourselves to the Lord
And to walk before Him in the Spirit and in righteousness
To learn how we can, we should attend to His word
And in doing so, our souls He will bless
Yes, God has given this wondrous treasure to us
In hopes that we will daily seek His face
And to fellowship with Him through our Lord Jesus
Living in His blessings and showered with His grace
Thank You, O God, for all You have done for us
Yes, heavenly Father, we thank You through Your Son
Our Lord, our Savior, our Redeemer, Jesus
Hallelujah and Amen…
——————————————————
Ruth 3:6-13
Midnight at the Threshing Floor
So she went down to the threshing floor
And did according to all
That her mother-in-law instructed her
At the time of nightfall
And after Boaz had eaten and drunk
And his heart was cheerful as well
He went to lie down at the end
Of the heap of grain to sleep for a spell
And she came softly, uncovered his feet
And lay down under the corner of his sheet
Now it happened at midnight
That the man was startled, to be sure
And turned himself; and there, ending his fright
A woman was lying at his feet; hard to figure
And he said, “Who are you? Tell me this thing
So she answered, “I am your maidservant Ruth
Take your maidservant under your wing
For you are a close relative, this is the truth
“Blessed are you of the Lord, My daughter!, he said
For you have shown more kindness at the end
Than at the beginning, instead
In that after young men you did not go
Whether poor or rich, you did not do so
And now, my daughter, do not fear
I will do for you all that was requested by you
For all the people of my town here
Know that you are a woman of virtue
Now it is true that I am a close relative, one cannot deny
However, there is a relative closer than I
Stay this night, and in the morning light
It shall be that if he will perform the task
Of a close relative for you, as is right
Good; let him do it, for this is what you ask
But if he does not want to perform the duty for you
Then I will perform the duty for you, it is true
As the Lord lives! Lie down until morning
Until the day dawns anew
————
Ruth has sought a kinsman to redeem
And she has found a man willing to do so
Whether it will be Boaz or another it would seem
That the new day the truth will show
We too have a Kinsman willing to redeem each of us
H is near to us because He is also a Man
And yet none other than the Lord God, Jesus
Such is the wisdom of God’s glorious plan
Let us come to Him and let Him His garment spread
Willingly over each one of us
For He is Christ the Lord, our Savior and our Head
He is the Incarnate Word – our glorious Jesus
Hallelujah and Amen…
——————————————————
Ruth 3:14-18
Shesh Seorim – Six Measures of Barley
So she lay at his feet until morning
And she arose before one could tell another by name
Then he said, “Do not let it be known, as a gentle warning
That the woman to the threshing floor came
Also he said, “Bring the shawl that is on you and hold it
And when she held it, he measured six of barley
And laid it on her, this gift he did submit
Then she went into the city at that hour so early
When she came to her mother-in-law at the dawning of the sun
She said, “Is that you, my daughter?”
Then she told her all that the man for her had done
And she showed what she had brought her
And she said, “These six measures of barley he gave to me
For he said, ‘Do not go to your mother-in-law with hands that are empty
Then she said, “Sit still, my daughter
Until you know how the matter will turn out, I pray
For the man will not rest
Until he has concluded the matter this day
————
Like Ruth whose time for rest will come soon
We have a time of rest from our labors as well
Which is graciously granted to us by an act of faith
And with that we enter our rest as the Bible does tell
In Christ the hope of the seventh day is here
His victory over the devil ensures that we may so partake
Of this marvelous gift so precious and dear
Granted to us through a decision we make
Call on Christ Jesus and your labors will end
In Him there is an eternal blessing marvelous and grand
In His presence eternal life we will spend
As He sits on the throne at His Father’s right hand
Hallelujah and Amen…
——————————————————
Ruth 4:1-6
To Perpetuate the Name of Elimelech
Now Boaz up to the gate went
And there he sat down
And behold, the close relative, the gent
Of whom Boaz had spoken came by the gate of Bethlehem town
So Boaz said, “Come aside, friend, sit down here.”
So he came aside and sat down kind of near
And he took ten men there
Of the elders of the town
And said, “Sit down here.”
And so they also sat down
Then he said to the close relative, there at hand
“Naomi, who has come back to Israel
From the country of Moab, sold the piece of land
Which belonged to our brother Elimelech who in death fell
And I thought to inform you, saying
‘Buy it back, for such is your right
In the presence of the inhabitants, I am praying
And the elders of my people, yes in their sight
If you will redeem it, redeem it
But if you will not redeem it, then tell me
That I may know, for I admit
There is no one but you to redeem it, as you can see
And I am next after you
And he said, “I will redeem it
This I will do
Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the field
From the hand of Naomi, as you have said
You must also buy it from Ruth the Moabitess
Yes, from the wife of the dead
That the name of the dead through his inheritance will be perpetuated
This is what the law requires, just as I have stated
And the close relative said
“I cannot for myself it redeem
Lest I ruin my own inheritance
This won’t work out, it would seem
You redeem for yourself my right of redemption
For I cannot redeem it, I appeal to the law’s exemption
————
In the requirements of the law there is no hope
No man can meet its demands perfectly
It reflects God’s standards, far beyond the scope
Of our hopeless state, beyond all our ability
And yet for God all things are possible, we know
And so He stepped out of heaven’s glory
And united with human flesh in order to bestow
The good news found in the gospel story
Yes, Christ took on the likeness of a man
And in this appearance to the cross He went
Being obedient to the law to fulfill the plan
From heaven to earth on this mission He was sent
He alone can redeem man who fell so long ago
In His grace and mercy, He came to dwell among us
Fulfilling the plan when to the cross He did go
All hail the Lamb of God, our precious Lord, Jesus
Hallelujah and Amen…
——————————————————
Ruth 4:7-12
I Eschew This Shoe
Now this was the custom in former times
In Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging
To confirm anything in those climes
Including even a marriage arranging
One man took off his sandal
And gave it to the other
And this was a confirmation in Israel
Of a matter between one another
Therefore the close relative to Boaz said
“Buy it for yourself.”
So he took off his sandal and gave it to Boaz instead
And Boaz said to the elders and all the people
“You are witnesses that I have bought this day
All that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s
From the hand of Naomi it has now come my way
Moreover, Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon
As my wife, I have acquired
To perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance
Today this has transpired
That the name of the dead may not be cut off
From among his brethren in any such way
And from his position at the gate
You are witnesses this day
And all the people who were at the gate, and the elders, said
“We are witnesses here in Bethlehem, the House of Bread
The Lord make the woman who is coming to your house
Like Rachel and Leah, the two of them
Who built the house of Israel
And may you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem
May your house be like the house of Perez
Whom Tamar bore to Judah in days gone by
Because of the offspring which the Lord will give you
From this young woman, now apple of your eye
————
There in that same town of Bethlehem as we know
Came the Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus
He came without pomp or a flashy show
Instead He came and looked like any of us
The stories that we see in the Bible’s pages
Are given to show us hints of Him
God has marked out His plan for the ages
And done it in places like the town of Bethlehem
In these stories we can relate so well
Because they can fit the lives of any of us
Such is the masterful way the Bible does tell
Of the marvelous workings of God in Jesus
And so we thank You O God as we live out our days
Reading Your word and giving You all of our praise
Hallelujah and Amen…
——————————————————
Ruth 4:13-17
And They Called His Name Obed
So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife
And when into her he went
The Lord gave her conception, a new life
And she bore a son when her months were spent
Then the women said to Naomi
“Blessed be the Lord, who has not this day left you
Without a close relative
And may in Israel his name be famous too
And may he be to you of life a restorer
And of your old age a nourisher
For your daughter-in-law, who loves you
Who has borne him, she is better than seven sons, it’s true
Then Naomi took the child
Who seemed the lifting of her curse
And laid him on her bosom in a manner mild
And to him she became a nurse
Also the neighbor women to him a name they gave
Saying, “There is born to Naomi a son
And they called his name Obed, meaning a servant or a slave
He is the father of Jesse, the father of David
In Israel, he became a very great one
————
From sadness and heartache too great to be measured
Came joy and blessing more than could be thought
In Naomi’s lap was placed a son that she treasured
A son through whom her redemption was bought
In the marvelous way God directs our lives’ events
Even the worst of times will be forgotten memories
Some day the difficulties that we face will all make sense
We’ll understand why we faced such great adversities
Until then we need to trust God, giving to Him our cares
And hold fast to the promises of His word
In that treasure to us He gladly shares
The story of redemption centered on our Lord
Yes, it is all about our Lord Jesus
He who has done all things wondrously
And has promised to always care for us
Hallelujah and Amen…
——————————————————
Ruth 4:18-22
The Generations of Perez
Now this is the genealogy of Perez:
It is listed as follows, just as the Bible sez
Perez begot Hezron; Hezron begot Ram next
And Ram begot Amminadab, so says the text
After that Amminadab begot Nahshon, as the Bible so relates
And Nahshon begot Salmon, telling us names but no dates
Salmon begot Boaz, and Boaz begot Obed
Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David
————
These are the generations which are found in Ruth
And they are carefully placed here for us to learn
They show us glorious things and reveal deep truth
And knowing their meaning should make our hearts yearn
Some glorious day, we will be raptured out of here
We will be in the presence of our wondrous Lord
And shortly afterward purified Israel will shout and cheer
When Christ returns to them, so says the Word
And we have it all laid out before us
Here in detail in the Bible’s pages
All of it pointing to our Lord Jesus
The plan of redemption for all peoples and all ages
Hallelujah to our great Lord and our King!
Hallelujah, let us rejoice and to Him make noise and sing!
Hallelujah and Amen…