Passages About Marriage: The 5 Devotions of Ruth.

Passages About Marriage: A Covenant of Protection and Commitment.

1. Ruth 1:16-17

Scripture:
“But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.’”

Loyalty Rooted in Marriage:

Take a moment to think of the loyalty that Ruth had, and showed for her deceased husband. By remaining with Naomi after her husband’s death she was blessed beyond anything she could have possibly understood at the time. 

The covenantal love she had for her husband transcended his death and to this day honors the commitments made when two become one.

A Model for Marital Commitment:

Ruth’s words, “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay, is the very definition of the loyalty that marriage calls for. She was determined to stay with Naomi, even when it meant leaving her homeland and facing an uncertain future. 

Her selflessness came from God and God alone, her tenderness to her deceased husband’s mother worth more than gold, that kind of loyalty is rare these days, because only a few seek the Lord to receive it.

Faithfulness to God and Family:

Ruth was a Moabite, a people who traditionally worshiped their own gods. Yet, she declared to her mother-in-law, “Your God will be my God.” This statement reveals a deeper dimension of loyalty in marriage—being spiritually united with her mother-in-law and choosing to trust in the Lord together, even loss.

A Legacy of Loyalty:

The Lord chose Ruth to play an extraordinary role in His plan for the salvation of humanity—she became the great-grandmother of King David and was included in the lineage of Jesus Christ!

 Her faithfulness and loyalty in marriage had far-reaching implications—not only for her husband, her mother-in-law, and Boaz, but also for you, me, and all of humanity.

2. Ruth 2:11-12

Scripture:
“Boaz replied, ‘I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.’”

Sacrificial Love and Loyalty

Boaz was a single man, filled with the Spirit and strong in the Lord. When he heard of Ruth’s selflessness and how she had blessed her mother-in-law, he saw love in her heart, and recognized her as a good woman, a woman of true virtue. 

Who can find a woman like Ruth?

Commitment to a New Life:

Through her commitment to her deceased husband Ruth willingly embraced a new land and people and that is an example of the commitment we are called to in marriage. Spouses leave behind individual lives to build a unified future together, embracing new challenges and responsibilities as one.

Faith in God’s Plan:

Boaz acknowledges that Ruth trusted in the Lord for her refuge. May all of us have such faith as we trust. Placing our faith in God within a marriage and seeking His guidance and provision stands us on the rock, giving us a firm place to plant our feet as He guides us along the best pathway for our lives.

3. Ruth 3:9

Scripture:
“‘Who are you?’ he asked. ‘I am your servant Ruth,’ she said. ‘Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family.’”

Symbol of Protection and Commitment:

Ruth’s request for Boaz to “spread the corner of your garment over me” was a plea for protection, care, and commitment. In marriage, we are called to provide emotional, physical, and spiritual security—remaining steadfast and providing  an unwavering commitment beyond measure. 

Covenantal Relationship:

The act of spreading a garment was a cultural expression of entering into a covenant. Much like  the covenant of marriage, where spouses pledge loyalty and faithfulness to each other under God’s blessing.

Redeeming Love:

Boaz, as the guardian-redeemer, shows selfless love and responsibility, showing the kind of care and commitment that reflects Christ’s love for His church. In marriage, we are called to show this same kind of sacrificial and caring love to each other.

Unity and Shared Purpose:

Ruth’s heart yearned for a relationship grounded in shared faith and mutual respect. In marriage, this unity of purpose strengthens the bond, ensuring both partners honor God and build a life together.

4. Ruth 4:13

Scripture:
“So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When he made love to her, the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.”

The Covenant of Marriage:

“So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife” This moment in time shows us the sanctity of marriage as a covenant. It reflects the commitment and unity that blesses and keeps us in a godly marriage.

God’s Blessing on the Union:

“The Lord enabled her to conceive” shows that the Lord had a plan for Ruth’s life, a plan that she could not have imagined, a plan that still blesses us to this day. He also has a plan for your life, and your marriage.

Intimacy in Marriage:

“When he made love to her” shows the role of physical intimacy as a natural and important part of marriage. Their union led to the birth of a son, who became part of the lineage of King David and ultimately Jesus Christ. A God-centered marriage can influence future generations in ways yet unseen.

5. Ruth 4:14-15

Scripture:
“The women said to Naomi: ‘Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.’”

God’s Provision Through Marriage:

“Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer.” God uses marriage as a way to care, protection, and stabilize, both within the family and for the community.

Renewal and Sustenance in Relationships:

“He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age.” A God-centered marriage will be a source of ongoing support and encouragement.

The Blessing of Love and Loyalty:

“For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons.” Ruth’s love and loyalty to Naomi shows how love within a family—rooted in the commitment of marriage—can surpass cultural expectations and bring extraordinary blessings.

Legacy and Generational Impact:

“Has given him birth.” The birth of a child from Ruth and Boaz’s union demonstrates how marriage creates a legacy that can bless future generations, showing the importance of a marriage built on faith and love.

Questions:

1. What is the best Bible verse for marriage?

“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”

There are many great passages about marriage, but Genesis 2:24 is one of the best because it truly captures the heart of what marriage is all about—leaving behind your old life, fully committing to your spouse, and becoming one in love, purpose, and faith. This verse, along with other passages about marriage, reminds us that marriage isn’t just a contract—it’s a deep, lifelong bond designed by God to bring two people together in unity and devotion.

2. What do scriptures say about marriage?

The Bible has a lot to say about marriage, offering wisdom, guidance, and encouragement for couples. Here are some key themes found in passages about marriage:

• Ephesians 5:25 – “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
  • Husbands are called to love their wives sacrificially, just as Jesus loves us.
• Ephesians 5:33 – “However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”
  • A strong marriage thrives on love and respect from both partners.

• Proverbs 5:18-19 – “May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.”
  • Marriage should be a joyful and committed relationship that lasts a lifetime.
• Hebrews 13:4 – “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure.”
  • Faithfulness in marriage is essential for building trust and keeping the relationship strong.

3. What Proverbs passages are about marriage?

• Proverbs 5:18-19 – “May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer—may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love.”
  • This passage encourages husbands to remain passionate and committed to their wives, finding joy in their lifelong union.
• Proverbs 12:4 – “A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.”
  • A faithful and godly wife brings honor to her husband, while dishonor weakens a marriage.
• Proverbs 20:6-7 – “Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find? The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.”
  • Faithfulness and integrity in marriage don’t just bless the couple, but also their family and future generations.

4. What is the spiritual verse for marriage?

A powerful spiritual verse for marriage is Ecclesiastes 4:12:

“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

This verse reminds us that marriage is strongest when it includes God as the third strand. A husband and wife can support each other, but when God is at the center of their relationship, their bond becomes unbreakable. It’s a beautiful picture of a faith-filled, spiritually grounded marriage that stands firm through life’s challenges.