The Book of Ruth centres on the concept of marriage vows. But another prevailing theme in the book is that of motherhood. Naomi, a mother of two sons is rendered childless in Moab. Her plight is somewhat alleviated by the presence of Ruth, a daughter through marriage. However, the complete relief arrives in the form of Obed, the child born to Ruth from Boaz, for the purpose of restoring the house of Elimelech. In truth, the redemption belongs to Naomi and not Ruth because Ruth, the foreigner was never in need of redemption. Mahlon's death opened before her the path to return to her own people in her own land. Ruth had nonetheless chosen her marriage vows to take care of the mother who did not birth her. With the birth of Obed, Ruth continued to be the wife of Boaz. The difference that occurred was in the life of Naomi who no longer remained childless.
Ruth 4:13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son.
The book of Ruth recognizes that children are a gift from God. Naomi's barrenness is also identified as proof of God's chastisement pronounced against her. That statement is however one born of grief and not enlightenment. Naomi, whose name means pleasant, in the absence of her husband and sons, chooses to call herself Mara or bitter. She is not spiritually drawn to determining the cause of her punishment but is more focused on the aftermath of it.
Ruth 1:21 I went away full, and the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the LORD has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?"
When back in her country Naomi refuses to initially reach out to her kinsmen in the hope of being redeemed. She acknowledges that she is too old to have a husband. The loss of a husband does not overwhelm her as much as the loss of her sons. Her daughters-in-law are a reminder to her of that loss and that is a primary reason that Naomi chooses to send them back to their people before making the journey towards Israel.
Ruth 1:12-13 Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have a husband also tonight, and should also bear sons; Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.
Ruth and Naomi arrived in Israel at the time of the barley harvest and for the next three months (i.e. till the wheat harvest) Ruth acted as the provider to the family while Naomi mourned her loss. After three months, by the time that Ruth had won enough favour in the eyes of Boaz, Naomi allowed herself to hope for a redemption that may have not come otherwise to her. Naomi was incapable of bearing a child to carry forth Elimelech's name but Ruth was. Even when Boaz places the condition before the other kinsman regarding Naomi's property Ruth is mentioned in an association with the property being sold by Naomi. Ruth's future is inexplicably entangled with Naomi's and thus the child born to Ruth is in effect a child born to further Naomi's family.
Ruth 4:17 And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
Naomi is not mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus. But Obed finds prominent mention. Naomi's motherhood found an outlet in Obed. That didn't need a justification by law or inheritance.
