THE AFFLICTION OF NAOMI
Ruth 1:1-22, (16)
The book of Ruth shows how God used three people to achieve his purpose. These three people had character and were true to God. It also tells the story of how God’s grace was given during a challenging time. We can see that Naomi used her life as a witness for God and it touch others.
The story of Ruth happens at some point during the time of the judges. These were dull days for Israel, when "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (Judges 17:6, 21:25). Regardless, during those dim and fiendish occasions, there were still some who followed God. Naomi and Ruth are an excellent image of reliability, fellowship, and responsibility, both to God and to one another.
Moab was the land east of the Dead Sea. It was one of the countries that persecuted Israel during the time of the judges (Judges 3:12). The famine must have been serious in Israel for Elimelech to move his family there. Regardless of whether Israel had effectively crushed Moab, there still would have been strains between them.
Cordial relations with the Moabites were dissuaded (Deuteronomy 23:6) yet not illegal since the Moabites lived outside the Promised Land. Getting married to a Canaanite, nonetheless, was against God's law (Deuteronomy 7:1-4). Moabites were not permitted to come to the Tabernacle to worship, since they had not allowed the Israelites to go through their territory during the Exodus from Egypt (Deuteronomy 23:3-4).
There was barely anything more terrible than being a widow in the old world. Widows were exploited or overlooked. They were quite often stricken with poverty. God's Law, subsequently, gave that the closest relative of the dead spouse, the requirement of caring for the widow; yet Naomi had no family members in Moab, and she could not say whether any of her family members were as yet alive in Israel.
Indeed, even in her frantic circumstance, Naomi had a magnanimous disposition. Even though she had chosen to go back to Israel, she urged Ruth and Orpah to remain in Moab and begin their lives once again, despite the fact that this would mean difficulty for herself. Like Naomi, we should think about the necessities of others and not only ourselves. As Naomi found out, when we act unselfishly, others are urged to follow our model.
Naomi's remark here alludes to the levirate marriage, the commitment of a dead man's sibling to provide for his widow (Deuteronomy 25:5-10). This law kept the widow from poverty and gave a way for the family name of the dead spouse to proceed.
Naomi, nonetheless, had no other male children for Ruth or Orpah to wed, so she urged them to stay in their country and to remarry. Orpah concurred, which was her right. Yet, Ruth was prepared to surrender the chance of safety and kids to accompany and assist Naomi.
Ruth was a Moabitess, yet that did not prevent her from revering the genuine God, nor did it prevent God from approving of her love and piling incredible gifts upon her. The Jews were by all account not the only individuals that God adored. God picked the Jews to be individuals through whom the remainder of the world would come to know him. This was satisfied when Jesus Christ was brought into the world as a Jew. Through him, the entire world can come to know God. Acts 10:35 says that "in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him." God acknowledges all who love him. Regardless of race, sex, or ethnicity, God can and does work through all people. Ruth is an ideal illustration of God's fairness.
Although Ruth was from a nation that was frequently loathed by Israel, she was honored due to her unwaveringness. She turned into an extraordinary great-grandmother of King David and an immediate precursor of Jesus. Nobody should feel excluded to serve God in view of race, sex, or national origin. He can utilize each situation to further his Kingdom.
Naomi had encountered extreme difficulties. She had left Israel wedded and secure; she returned bereft and poor. Naomi changed her name to communicate the harshness and torment that she felt. Naomi was not dismissing God by straightforwardly communicating her aggravation. In any case, she appears to have neglected to focus on the huge assets that she had in her relationship with Ruth and with God. (Job 6:4; Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5)
At the point when we face unpleasant occasions, God invites our fair petitions, yet we are to be mindful so as not to disregard the adoration, strength, and assets that he gives in our current connections. Furthermore, do not permit harshness and frustration to frazzle us to the positive chances that could enter our lives. (James 4:8)
Since Israel's environment is very moderate, there are two harvest times every year, in the spring and in the fall. The harvest of barley occurred in the spring, and it was during this season of bounty and hope that Ruth and Naomi went back to Bethlehem. Bethlehem was a cultivating local area, and because it was the harvest time, there was a lot of extra grain in the fields.
Bethlehem is around five miles southwest of Jerusalem. The town was encircled by lavish fields and olive forests. Its harvests were bountiful. Naomi and Ruth's re-visitation of Bethlehem was essential for God's arrangement, for it is here where David was born (1 Samuel 16:1); and, as prophesied by the prophet Micah (Micah 5:2), Jesus Christ would likewise be brought into the world there. This move, at that point, was more than simply advantageous for Ruth and Naomi, it prompted the satisfaction of Scripture.
THE ACTIVITY OF RUTH
Ruth 2:1-23
In this chapter, we see the activity of Ruth. What did she do when she came to a new land and what was her purpose?
She Gleaned:
When the barley and wheat were fit to be collected, gatherers were employed to chop down the stalks and tie them into packs. Israelite law directed that the corners of the fields were not to be reaped. Likewise, any grain that was dropped was to be left for the gleaners, those destitute individuals who gathered it for their food (Leviticus 19:9, 23:22). The reason for this law was to take care of poor people and keep the proprietors from hoarding. This law filled in as a sort of government assistance program in Israel. Since she was a widow without any method for maintaining herself, Ruth went into the fields to gather the grain.
Ruth made her home in an unfamiliar land. Rather than relying upon Naomi or trusting that favorable luck will occur, she stepped up to the plate. She was not terrified of conceding her need or endeavoring to supply it. When Ruth went out to the fields, God provided for her. During the times that we are waiting for God to move, he might be waiting for us to venture out, in taking the first step, to exhibit exactly how significant our need is.
She Tarried:
Ruth's undertaking, however modest, tiring, and demeaning, was done steadfastly. What is our disposition when the assignment that we have been performing is not to our actual potential? The job needing to be done might be everything that could be done, or it could be the work that God needs us to do. Or then again as for Ruth's situation, it very well might be a trial of our temperament that can open new opportunities.
In addition to the fact that Ruth took the initiative to work, she buckled down. There are times when challenging work with little reprieve is our main choice. Boaz saw Ruth's diligent effort. Had she viewed herself as excessively glad or humiliated to work, she would have botched the chance of meeting Boaz, completely changing her, and turning into the precursor of a king and the Messiah.
She Fell on Her Face:
Outsiders or foreigners were not always heartily invited in Israel, however Boaz readily welcomed Ruth, since she had gained notoriety for giving grace and liberality to other people. Boaz was so dazzled with Ruth that he let her follow straightforwardly behind his harvesters to get the choicest grain that was dropped.
Ruth's previous activities were a report card by which others would appraise her. Her great reputation was her most significant resource. It came because of her persistent effort, her solid moral personage, and her affectability, generosity, and dedication to Naomi. A decent reputation is based upon God-respecting character and generosity toward others.
Ruth's life showed honorable characteristics: she was persevering, cherishing, kind, dedicated, and courageous. These characteristics acquired for her a good reputation, however simply because she showed them reliably in all aspects of her life. Any place Ruth went or whatever she did, her character continued as before. Our reputation is shaped by individuals who watch us at work, around town, at home, or at church. A good reputation occurs by reliably demonstrating the characteristics that we have confidence in, regardless of the group of individuals or environmental factors that we are in.
She Sat, She Ate, She Rose:
The characters in the book of Ruth are exemplary instances of good individuals in real life. Boaz went a long way past the plan of the gleaners' law in showing his graciousness and generosity. In addition to the fact that he let Ruth gather in his field, he additionally advised his laborers to let a portion of the grain fall deliberately in her way. Out of his plenitude, he accommodated the poor. How frequently do we go past the acknowledged examples of accommodating those less fortunate? We ought to accomplish more than what is required with regards to helping other people.
She Gleaned:
Naomi had felt a bit bitter (1:20-21), however her confidence in God was as yet alive, and she praise God for Boaz's graciousness to Ruth. In her distresses, she actually confided in God and recognized God's integrity. We might have a harsh outlook on a circumstance; however, we should never surrender to despair about God's work in our lives. Today is consistently another chance for encountering God's consideration.
She Kept Fast:
Although Ruth might not have consistently perceived God's direction in her life, he had been with her at all times. She went to gather and coincidentally ended up in the field possessed by Boaz who incidentally turned out to be a direct relation. This was something other than a simple coincident. As we approach our everyday assignments, God is working in our lives in manners that we may not take note of. We should not close the entryway on what God can do. For the Christian, situations do not “just happen” by karma or occurrence. We should have faith that God is coordinating our lives to fulfill his plans.
