Ruth

Day 29, Mar 4th, 2024

Text:  Ruth 1:4

Introduction-

A quick synopsis of the Book of Ruth. To start out, a woman by the name of Naomi packed up and moved from Judah to Moab due to a terrible famine that was affecting her family. She and her husband moved there with their two sons, who eventually took wives while living in Moab.

Tragically, Naomi lost her husband and two sons. Broken and empty, Naomi decided to move back to Bethlehem in Judah. Her daughter-in-law Ruth came with her since she had also lost her husband. Keep in mind that Ruth was a Moabite woman, and she was now moving to Judah as a foreigner. This was a big deal in their culture, but she was committed to Naomi as her daughter-in-law, and she wanted to follow the God of Israel.

While in Judah, God worked out an amazing plan for a man named Boaz to take Ruth as his wife, give her a child, and provide for her and Naomi. What’s remarkable about this plan was that Boaz was qualified as a “kinsman redeemer” to take her as his wife.

Life Lessons-

1. God uses “little” things to accomplish great plans.

What an amazing plan God had for a series of “little” things that all added up to important pieces in God’s big plan. God intended for Ruth to be a part of the story of the lineage of Jesus. So, He pulled together events such as the famine, Naomi’s relocation to Moab, their return to Bethlehem, Boaz’ bloodline, and many other events just to ensure that Ruth could be a part of His plan. And God does that same thing in our lives today!

2.  God has a Redeemer in place who can rescue us from the devastation of our own sin.

God has a Redeemer for our lives, too, and His name is Jesus. Boaz was a type (prophetic symbol) of Christ and His redemptive work in our lives today. You see, we are all desolate because of our sinful nature. We are empty, just as Naomi was empty and devastated after she had lost everything and returned to Judah. Our sin has rendered us empty and desolate spiritually.

But Jesus is willing to redeem us. He wants to rescue us from the penalty of our sin. And all we have to do to be rescued is to call on Him in faith and ask Him to save us (Romans 10:13). My hope is that you are one of His redeemed. If you are not, my hope is that you will call on Him right now and ask Him to save you once and for all from the consequences of your sins!

3. Loss is Hard

The book of Ruth starts with the life of Naomi. Naomi was from Bethlehem and moved to Moab with her husband Elimelek and two sons, Mahlon and Kilion. Naomi, later, lost her husband and she was left with her two sons. Her two sons found wives, Ruth and Orpah, but 10 years later, both sons died as well.

Talk about a hard time, right? It was then that Naomi decided to return back home to the land of Judah. Because Naomi had lost her husband and sons, she was moving back home to Bethlehem as a widow. Her heart and life had crumbled. This is a reminder that loss and change are hard and, unfortunately, it’s more common than we know. Many times, while dealing with grief we can feel lost or forgotten. Naomi knew all too well how that felt. 

Life applications

1. Divine Immigration 

When they had reached their new home, Ruth decided to get to work. “And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.” (Ruth 2:2) She was in a new town, with new people, and wanted to help take care of Naomi and herself. She decided to glean in a nearby field and follow the harvesters. 

Her work ethic did not go unnoticed as a foreman would speak about her labor to Boaz shortly after his notice of her: “She’s been at it steady ever since, from early morning until now, without so much as a break.” (Ruth 2:7 MSG)

2. Make a Move 

Naomi wanted Ruth to find a home where she can be provided for. Naomi believed Boaz to be the guardian-redeemer in her family line. She told Ruth to get dressed up in her best clothes and perfume and go to Boaz. Ruth did just that. She let Boaz know of her interest by lying at his feet after he had fallen asleep. 

When he woke up and asked what she was doing she stated, “I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family.” (Ruth 3:9) Talk about letting a man know you are interested, right?

3. Your decision Matters 

After Boaz purchased the land and acquired Ruth’s hand in marriage, they became pregnant with a son. This son was named Obed who later became the father of Jesse who later became the father of David who, as we know, is in the direct family line of Jesus Christ! How awesome to see how the braveness and commitment of a young woman would later meet a man that would help to bring the family lines of Jesus Christ into fruition. 

God also brought joy back to Naomi as she lovingly helped to take care of Obed! How awesome is our God that He can take such a dark and lonely season for Naomi and Ruth and turn it into joy, love, and prosperity! Never underestimate the power of your decisions, commitment, humility, and integrity!

Lesson of the Day

Keep Your Commitments

Ruth and Orpah were both given the blessing from Naomi to go back to their hometowns after their husbands had passed. Naomi knew she couldn’t provide the women with new husbands and she wanted them to take the obvious choice for “moving forward” for another marriage if it was God’s will. Orpah took the option but Ruth decided to stay with Naomi and head to Bethlehem together. 

“Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” (Ruth 1:16) How many times have we made choices to be in a place that we “think” will give us what we want? Ruth was brave in keeping her commitment to Naomi, staying with her instead of looking to her own interests.

Complied by: Mary Ekene Nkanka