Opening: The Tale of Two Sons
Let me tell you a story about a man with two sons. This man owned a large vineyard and asked his sons to work in the field one day.
The first son, filled with a sense of independence and self-confidence, said, “No, I don’t feel like it today,” but later he regretted his decision and went out to work.
The second son, eager to please, said, “Yes, father, I will go,” but never followed through.
When the father returned at the end of the day, only the first son had obeyed and completed the task.
The question Jesus posed to His listeners after telling this story was: “Which of the two did the will of the father?” The answer is clear: it was the son who, despite his initial hesitation, obeyed in the end.
Obedience, it turns out, is not about grand promises or superficial gestures. It is about action. It’s about aligning our hearts and our steps with God's will, even when it's difficult, inconvenient, or unclear. In the story of Ruth, we see the profound impact of quiet, consistent obedience.
Introduction to Ruth
The Book of Ruth is one of the most beautiful and powerful stories in the Bible, a story of loyalty, love, and redemption. But one of the most profound themes in the book is obedience.
Ruth, a Moabite woman, lived in a time when obedience was often misunderstood or ignored.
Yet, through her obedience, we see the unfolding of God's providential plan—a plan that not only impacted her life but also played a pivotal role in the history of Israel and the coming of Jesus Christ.
Ruth’s story teaches us that obedience to God is not merely about following rules but is about aligning our lives with His purpose and trusting Him even when we cannot see the full picture.
It shows us that sometimes, the most profound acts of obedience come in the form of simple, everyday decisions that ultimately shape our destiny.
Ruth’s Obedience in the Face of Adversity
The story of Ruth begins with tragedy.
Naomi, Ruth's mother-in-law, loses her husband and both of her sons. In the midst of this loss, Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem, her homeland, and she urges her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, to stay behind in Moab and start new lives.
Orpah reluctantly obeys Naomi's advice and stays in Moab. Ruth, however, chooses a different path.
In one of the most poignant moments in Scripture, Ruth replies to Naomi, saying:
"Do not urge me to leave you or to turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God." (Ruth 1:16)
Ruth's obedience is not blind. She is not obeying out of compulsion but out of love and loyalty.
She understands the cost—leaving her homeland, her family, and her gods behind. She is walking into the unknown with no assurance of security or happiness.
But in doing so, Ruth demonstrates that true obedience is not about self-interest. It's about trust, love, and surrender to a higher purpose.
The Blessings of Obedience
Ruth’s obedience leads her to Bethlehem, where she meets Boaz, a wealthy and kind man who is impressed by her loyalty and hard work.
She does not demand blessings; instead, she faithfully works in Boaz's field, gleaning leftover grain to provide for Naomi. Little does she know that her obedience in the small, humble task of gleaning will open the door to God’s abundant provision.
Boaz, recognizing Ruth's character, speaks blessings over her. In Ruth 2:12, he says, "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."
Ruth’s obedience brings her under the wings of God's protection and provision.
What’s remarkable is that Ruth’s blessings do not come because she seeks them, but because she seeks to do the right thing. Her obedience is rewarded in ways that she could not have imagined.
Ruth marries Boaz, and they have a son named Obed, who becomes the grandfather of King David, placing Ruth in the direct lineage of Jesus Christ.
The Power of Small Acts of Obedience
Ruth’s story teaches us that small acts of obedience can have monumental impacts.
Often, we may feel that our obedience is insignificant. We may think that the little sacrifices we make or the small steps of faith we take are unnoticed by God.
But Ruth’s life shows us that God uses even the smallest acts of obedience to bring about His purposes.
When Ruth chose to stay with Naomi, she had no idea that her decision would impact generations to come.
She did not know that her obedience would place her in the lineage of the Messiah. She was simply doing what she believed was right—being faithful to the commitments she had made, even when it was hard.
This is the power of obedience.
It aligns us with God's will, and when we are in alignment with Him, He uses even the smallest actions to bring about His plans for our lives and the world.
Lessons from Ruth’s Obedience
What can we learn from Ruth’s story of obedience? There are several key lessons:
1. Obedience Requires Trust
Ruth trusted in Naomi’s God even though she didn’t fully know Him yet. She trusted that God would provide for them, even in the face of uncertainty.
Obedience requires that same level of trust today—trusting that God’s ways are higher than our ways, and His plans are better than our plans.
2. Obedience Often Involves Sacrifice
Ruth gave up everything—her homeland, her family, her culture—to follow Naomi and serve God.
Obedience often calls us to make sacrifices, but those sacrifices are never in vain when they are made in service to God.
3. Obedience Brings Blessings
Ruth’s obedience brought her into the lineage of Jesus Christ. While we may not always see immediate rewards for our obedience, God promises that He will honor those who follow Him.
The blessings of obedience are often far greater than anything we could imagine.
4. Obedience Impacts Others
Ruth’s obedience didn’t just affect her own life—it impacted Naomi, Boaz, and future generations.
Our obedience has the potential to influence and bless those around us, sometimes in ways we can’t foresee.
Conclusion: Will You Obey?
Ruth’s story calls us to examine our own lives.
Are we living in obedience to God’s will? Are we willing to trust Him, even when the path ahead is unclear? Are we willing to make sacrifices for the sake of obedience, trusting that God will reward our faithfulness in ways we may not yet understand?
In the end, like the son who said “no” but then went to work in the vineyard, true obedience is measured not by our words but by our actions.
Ruth’s life shows us the power of quiet, faithful obedience—obedience that may begin with small, unnoticed acts but can ultimately change the course of history.
Let us commit ourselves to walking in obedience to God, trusting that He will lead us, provide for us, and use our obedience for His glory.
