Category: Ruth & Boaz

If you thought the book of Ruth was dramatic, wait until you see the movie’s second half. Love, faith, and legacy take center stage, and the sparks between Ruth and Boaz? Let’s just say the screenwriters turned up the heat. While the biblical account keeps things subtle, the film leans into the romance—cue longing glances, grape stomping, and a few heart-thumping obstacles.

In scripture, Ruth and Boaz’s budding relationship is paused by a legal technicality: another relative has first dibs on redeeming Ruth. In the movie, it’s not a family formality but a fiery antagonist named Syrus, whose threats and shady dealings keep Ruth at arm’s length. Whether it’s a distant cousin or a dangerous manager, love has hurdles—but in both versions, love wins. Ruth and Boaz tie the knot, and the audience breathes a collective sigh of relief.

Now, let’s talk drama. The movie throws in a barn fire that threatens Boaz’s prized wine. It looks like disaster, but somehow—miraculously—the wine isn’t ruined. It’s better. God’s work at his best! Then Syrus storms into Naomi’s house, threatening Ruth. But Naomi isn’t having it. She grabs a shotgun (yes, really), and the police arrive just in time to haul Syrus away. With the villain out of the picture and the wine saved, Ruth and Boaz finally get their moment.

Back in the book of Ruth, Boaz plays it cool and honorable. He meets with the other relative, lays out the facts, and they seal the deal with a sandal exchange. Strange by today’s standards, but totally legit back then. With the path cleared, Ruth and Boaz marry—and this time, there’s a baby.

Here’s where the legacy kicks in. The movie ends with Ruth becoming a successful singer and co-owner of R&B Winery. It’s a modern twist, but it skips a major biblical milestone: Ruth becomes the mother of Obed, grandfather of King David, and ancestor of Jesus Christ. Talk about a legacy. Ruth and Boaz weren’t just a love story—they were part of God’s redemptive plan for the world.

So whether you’re watching the drama unfold on screen or reading the quiet power of scripture, the themes remain: love that overcomes, faith that endures, and a legacy that echoes through eternity.

Want to dig deeper? Download the study and explore Ruth chapters 3 and 4 with us. Let’s uncover the beauty of this story—one sandal, one vineyard, and one divine thread at a time.

Tyler Perry has officially gone biblical—and I was all in! His new Netflix film Ruth & Boaz takes a bold swing at reimagining one of the most beloved stories in scripture, and while it doesn’t stick to the biblical script word-for-word, it still delivers a compelling tale that’s worth watching. If you’ve seen it, I hope it sparked your curiosity to dive into the actual book of Ruth. Spoiler alert: it’s only four chapters long, but it packs a punch. The book of Ruth is only 4 chapters long, but it is packed with some great themes that are relevant to our everyday lives. It starts with loss and grief and moves into the power of hard work! Then in the second part of the movie and book of Ruth you will see the themes of love, faith and legacy.

I have broken the attached study guide into four sessions covering all of these topics. First let’s start out talking about the loss and grief that Naomi is feeling. Naomi loses her husband and two sons—heartbreak stacked on heartbreak. In the movie, the tragedy unfolds through a carjacking. In scripture, the details are left out, but the emotional weight is the same. Naomi decides to return home—Israel in the Bible, Tennessee in the movie—and she tells Ruth to stay behind. Ruth, of course, isn’t having it. She’s loyal, fierce, and full of faith. She clings to Naomi like a lifeline and sets out on a new journey.

Now here’s where things get interesting. Ruth rolls up her sleeves and gets to work. In the Bible, she’s gleaning grain in Boaz’s field. In the movie, she’s harvesting grapes. Either way, she’s hustling. And Boaz? He notices. Cue the slow burn romance.

But Perry adds a twist—Ruth’s got pipes. She’s a singer tangled up in a toxic contract with a manipulative manager. That’s part of why she leaves her old life behind. The Bible doesn’t mention karaoke nights or viral videos, but the movie uses those modern beats to show Ruth’s courage and her desire for something more.

One standout scene? Ruth belts out a song at a bar with her friend Lena, and Boaz is there to catch the moment. Sparks fly. But fame has its price, and that karaoke clip ends up in the wrong hands. Trouble’s brewing.

So yes, the movie takes creative liberties. But the heart of Ruth’s story—grief, grit, loyalty, and love—is still pulsing underneath. That’s why I’ve broken the study guide into four sessions, starting with the themes of loss and hard work from Ruth chapters 1 and 2.

Ready to dig deeper? Download the study and explore how this ancient story still speaks today—even when it’s dressed up in modern drama and a killer soundtrack.

More on love, faith, and legacy coming soon in part two.