As I have been scaling through the characters of the Bible each one has a story like no other. God gave us notable examples to follow and learn from in all walks and chapters of our lives. They all show us qualities that we too have the potential to exhibit. Some qualities are good and some bad. Today we will look at Ruth. She was a woman known for her loyalty. I want to focus on what was behind her loyalty. I believe it was her selfless mindset. Nothing in the book of Ruth was done for herself. Each account of her life indicated her desire to love and serve others.
In Ruth chapter 1, the stage is set. We find Naomi a widow of Elimelech in Moab. They had traveled to Moab because of a famine in Bethlehemjudah. Their two sons married women from Moab. It wasn’t long before they also died and left Naomi with two widowed daughters-in-law.
Ruth 1:3-5 “ And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.”
The famine was now over, and Naomi wanted to return to her homeland. Ruth and Orpha felt they needed to go with her to take care of her. Naomi insisted they return to their family. Orpha returned but Ruth would not. In Ruth 1:14-17 we find a beautiful show of love and support for their mother-in-law. They were young and Naomi wanted them to find a husband and have a family of their own. Ruth refused to leave her and in verses 16-17 we find the famous words “whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.”
Ruth 1:14-17 “And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law; but Ruth clave unto her. And she said, Behold, thy sister-in-law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister-in-law. And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.”
Ruth takes on the role of protecting and providing for her mother-in-law. When they came to Bethlehem it was the beginning of the barley harvest. Naomi had found lodging among her relatives and now Ruth was in the fields reaping the left-over grain from the harvest. Naomi had told Ruth to go to the fields of Boaz because he was a near kinsman. It was a custom to allow those who had no means of support to glean the leftover grain from the harvest. The beautiful story of selflessness continues as she takes care of Naomi.
Ruth 2:1-3 “And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz. And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter. And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.”
Boaz came one day from Bethlehem and saw Ruth in the field. He inquired of his servants who she was. After they tell him she is Naomi’s daughter-in-law, he tells them to leave a little extra for her and tells her not to glean in any other field. He would make sure plenty was left for her. She was introduced to God by her deceased husband and his family. However, when she put her faith in God, He began to work things out for her future. In a brief time, she married Boaz and was in the linage of King David and ultimately the King of Kings, Jesus.
The princess was one of the most selfless women of the Bible. She was a picture of humility and kindness. This is evidenced by her obeying her mother-in-law. Nothing negative is written about her even though she weathered some exceedingly difficult circumstances. Boaz loves her and redeems her by marrying her. She has a son by him and allows Naomi to nurse him and treat him as a son. Ruth never stops taking care of Naomi. Her commitment to Naomi was until Naomi’s death. God honored Ruth’s loyalty and selfless life by allowing her to be the great grandmother of David who was 14 generations from Jesus. This princess who was not a Jew, but a hated Moabite by the Jews is placed in the linage of Christ. God honored her faith, her loyalty, humility, strength, kindness, and her selfless life to follow the God of Israel.
Oh, what a great example God gave us to pattern after when He gave us Ruth.
