Ruth: From Dead-Ends To Fresh Starts

“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.