“Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons.” Ruth 1:3-4.
The name Bethlehem means, “House of Bread.” But because of the famine, there was no bread in the town of Bethlehem. So a man called Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, crossed the Jordan into the land of Moab in search of greener pasture. They integrate themselves into the community, taking wives from the Moabites for their sons. After a while, Elimelech died. His two sons also died without leaving any child behind. The dreams the family had of starting a new life turned into nightmares. The three men left behind three widows. Ruth was of child-bearing age, but in ten years of marriage to Naomi’s son, she never had a child. Mahlon was her husband. The dreams of Naomi seeing her grandchildren were gone. Later, she received word that the famine in Bethlehem, Judah, had ended, and she decided to return home. Having lost all she had in Moab, Naomi wanted to go back to her land and people. She set out with her two daughters-in-law. Their love for Naomi must have run deep to be willing to go with her to a new and strange country. But on the way, Naomi decides that it would be better for her two daughters-in-law to return to their country. Perhaps they may find new husbands and start a family. Orpah return to Moab, but Ruth could not be moved. She loved Naomi dearly and would do all she could to care for her.
Ten years after leaving Bethlehem, Judah, Naomi returns home with Ruth. They arrived in the season of harvest, but could not partake in it because they were not there in the times of sowing. So to survive, Ruth would go to the fields and gather grains and corn that the harvesters had missed. She was willing to do this because it would meet their needs. In ancient Israel, the poor were allowed to glean whatever produce was left or dropped after the harvesters went through the fields. Deuteronomy 24.19. Ruth and Naomi were on welfare.
“So she fell on her face, bowed down to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?” Ruth 2:10.
One day, while she was gathering grains, the owner of the fields, a man named Boaz, noticed her. In Hebrew the word “notice” means to “acknowledge with honor, to understand.” Boaz acknowledged and took an interest in Ruth. He made sure that she and Naomi had plenty to eat. Boaz didn’t simply notice Ruth, he understood and honored her. He cared for Ruth and sent her to work in a field full of young women to ensure that the young men didn’t molest her.
The young widow must have felt that her past and status, made her less desirable than the young virgins in town. Yet, Boaz paid special attention to her. He believed Ruth was more than her past. Boaz does all he can to ensure that Ruth is well taken care of and remain safe.
“………” And he said, “I will redeem it.” Ruth 4:4.
According to the Jewish laws and customs at that time, if a woman's husband died, it would take a relative (or kinsman) of her husband to marry her and give her a chance. Being an elderly woman, Naomi recognized what was going on between Boaz and her daughter-in-law. So she counselled Ruth on what to do. Ruth followed her advice, and soon Ruth and Boaz were married. God had provided Ruth with a redeemer that would give her a second chance.
“For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth;” Job 19:25.
Are you at a place where your life is at a dead-end? Maybe you feel like the future is hopeless. Perhaps you are going through seasons of pain that has left you feeling empty. Be encouraged by the story of Ruth, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
There is so much we can learn from the story of Ruth and apply in our own lives today.
1. Ruth was determined. She was determined to do what she set out to do. Naomi did all she could to make her leave. Ruth 1:14:18. Yet she refused.
Let us ask God for the grace to be determined in whatever we want to accomplish.
2. She was not too proud to get her hands dirty. Ruth stayed busy. She worked from dawn to dusk without complaint. Ruth was a very diligent young woman. She went out to the fields to harvest food both for herself and Naomi. She didn’t sit and wait for help to come to her and Naomi, even though they were poor. Proverbs 10:4; Colossians 3:23; Proverbs 12:11.
3. Ruth was loyal. Her fierce loyalty to her mother-in-law caught the eye of Boaz. He felt great respect for Ruth and sought to reward her kindness. Genuine loyalty never ends!
As believers, we are to be loyal to the people that God has put in our lives. Proverbs 21:21.
4. Work on your character. Despite her pain, Ruth was kind and of noble character. Ruth 3:11. She was a blessing not only to Boaz but to everyone she came in contact with.
We need to be more like God in our actions and words. Are you pursuing godly character? Your true character is revealed in the darkest of hours. Proverbs 12:4.
5. Ruth was selfless and kind. Her love compelled her to sacrifice all of herself for the welfare of Naomi. Ask God to open our eyes to the needs of others. When we share His amazing love, even in tiny drops, it spreads around the globe.
6. Ruth was courageous. Based on the advice of Naomi, Ruth presented herself at the feet of Boaz on the threshing floor to ask for his protection as her kinsman-redeemer. Ruth 3:9. She risked being rejected and ridiculed. Yet she was bold in following Naomi’s counsel. She was obedient in the face of fear. And her obedience was rewarded. Throughout the Bible, God commands us to fear not, to be of good cheer, and to have courage. Psalm 56:3-4.
7. She was joyful. Ruth could have been angry, bitter and full of self-pity. But rather she was hopeful. By all accounts, she had every reason to feel sad, but she didn’t. Instead, she remained at the side of her mother-in-law, persevering through hardship to eventually become a woman of great loyalty. Even with things falling apart, she chose to rejoice. The future may look bleak, but her heart blooms with joy. Difficulties couldn't dictate her joy.
The Bible commands us to rejoice always. You can keep a bright outlook amid hardship!
8. Ruth was a woman of faith. She showed great faith in God. She believed that God was who He said He was. She had faith that God would provide for her and her mother-in-law. Ruth believed that He would take care of her. John 7:38.
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4
The book of Ruth begins with tragedy which should have ruined Ruth’s life but ends with joy. There was laughter once again in the lives of both Naomi and Ruth. Boaz married Ruth, and they gave birth to Obed, who became the grandfather of King David.
YOUR FUTURE IS IN CHRIST:
“Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” Matthew 6:26.
Despite her past, Ruth boldly moved forward and looked to the future. She was a young widow and far removed from her home. Ruth was a Moabite. (You may recall that the Moabites came from the act of incest between Lot and his older daughter. Genesis 19:30-38.) So the children of Israel saw the Moabite as inferior. Many would have treated her as inferior but God loves us equally. No matter what your past or sin is, redemption is a gift from God and available to you today. No matter where you come from or what you have been through, God has a plan for your redemption. So don’t look to your past. Look to God and trust that He has a plan for you.
Everyone desires a secure future! To overcome the fear of the future we need to know God. Believe Him. The plans He has for our lives may not be easy. It may involve hardship, but we should not be afraid. Pray diligently. Lay your burdens at His feet. Keep reading and meditating on the Word of God. Refuse to panic. Give thanks to God always. Those who trust in Him are safe and secure. Trust God's directives and His guidance. Believe in His promise for your future. No matter how hard the future might be, He will use it for your good. However, If you are not saved you need to make the decision today. Say this prayer: O God, I come to You today. I know I am a sinner. I believe that Jesus died on the cross to save me and He resurrected on the third day. I repent of my sins and forsake them. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Savior and surrender my life to Him today. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God. Amen.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Father, help me to be intentionally thankful.
2. Thank You, Lord, for the work You’re doing in me, in Jesus’ name.
3. O Lord, help me to trust in You, in Jesus’ name.
4. Lead me, Father, and make Your path clear and I will follow it, in Jesus' name.
