The Hebrew word for the woman of “noble” character, cited in Proverbs 31 is “chayil” and it means to do valiantly, with the power, strength, wealth, and resources of an army. Many women in Scripture are virtuous or chayil women. One, a nearly destitute woman, during the times the Judges ruled Israel is Ruth, the Moabitess.

The Book of Ruth is an intricate picture of the Messiah and His Bride. The mystery of Ruth, a foreigner, being joined into the Covenant family of Israel, is a great story of redemption and restoration. Boaz, Ruth’s kinsman redeemer, was a mighty man of wealth/chayil, who sought a chayil woman to be by his side.  Ruth, along with her mother-in-law, Naomi, returned to the land of Boaz, to the town Bethlehem (meaning the House of Bread),  and Ruth was known, by the people of the city as an eshet chayil, or virtuous woman.

Ruth determined to be a woman of valor, long before she met Boaz. Ruth’s decision was made, independent of the bonds of marriage. She was a widow, who chose to love and cleave to Naomi, her people, and to her God. Ruth’s words, ring throughout history, as a call to all those who are strangers to the Covenant, to come and join in the promises given to Israel. “And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for where you go, I will go; and where you lodge, I will lodge: your people shall be my people, and your God, my God…” (Ruth 1:16-18).

As a result of following after the blessing, being faithful to her extended family, and being in covenant with the God of Israel, Ruth was remarried. This time, to the well respected wealthy man, Boaz, from a town in Judah. The wedding guests who witnessed the blessed event had this to say, “The LORD make the woman that is come into your house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily/chayil in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem” (Ruth 4:11).

Ruth joined the God of Israel, along the road to Zion, when she made a confession of faith, as she walked by the way with Naomi. At her marriage to Boaz, the community recognized her, as a woman of chayil strength. No longer known as a stranger to the Covenant and a forbidden Moabite, Ruth became so connected in the community of faith, that she is now identified with Leah and Rachel, as a mother to Israel.

Choosing life, the valiant/chayil way, makes a woman a bride of honor. “A virtuous/chayil woman is a crown to her husband” (Prov.12:4). The arrival of Ruth into Boaz’s home increased his wealth and his military might, as Ruth joined him as his bride. Her strength of character and trusting faith gave her the witness needed to be accepted into the House of Judah. She is the picture of the woman who is “far above rubies” (Prov. 31:10).

Ruth understood the need to choose the ways of God. She knew that she could press in and take hold of His promises. She grabbed a hold of the tallit of her Kinsman Redeemer and He delivered her. Ruth learned that “through God we shall do valiantly/chayil” (Ps. 60:12). Do not let anyone dissuade you from the path to Zion. Don’t let anyone tell you, that the Torah is only for the Jews. Or that the Gentiles will never have a place in the Torah honoring community of faith. Look at Ruth, from the most rejected people group to a complete grafted in believer, by her Kinsman Redeemer. Boaz is a picture of Messiah Yeshua, showing tender mercy/rachem and grace/chesed on those desire a relationship with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Returning to and accepting the Covenant is what the marriage of Shavuot is all about. It is the season of the Torah being written on our hearts by the finger of God. When Torah, the Ketubah of Adonai, is written on your heart, no man can take it away, and nothing can keep you from your Beloved Bridegroom, Yeshua the Messiah.