The book of Ruth in the Old Testament is no ordinary book. Ruth is amazing. She is strong. She has courage, and she is filled with hope.It's not like the other stories in the Bible. I wanted to take some time to write about why I love it so much. When I first read the story of Ruth a couple months ago, I remember feeling so overwhelmed with how I would react in what she had been through.
The book of Ruth starts off with a brief genealogy of Ruth's mother in law, Naomi. Quick back story to understand the concept of the book. Naomi marries a man, Elimelek, together they bare two sons. Though we aren't exactly told when Naomi's husband dies, we do know that their sons both marry Moabite women. As if that isn't hard enough on Naomi, after about ten years, both of Naomi's sons die (chapter 1: 4-5). Naomi leaves for Bethlehem with her two daughter-in-laws. On the way Naomi tells both women to return to their families in Moab. Both women weep at the thought of leaving her. When I read that I remember thinking, I don't think I would want to leave my mother-in-law, mostly because at that point you have built a relationship with her, and leaving her behind would mean that I am leaving my late husband too. As she kissed the two women goodbye, Oprah left, but Ruth stayed behind. Ruth said to Naomi "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God" (1:16).
I want to focus in on that verse.The way Ruth responds to Naomi is the same way God responds to us. He is our God and he will NEVER leave us or turn away from us. The dedication she shows towards Naomi is incredible. She doesn't want to leave her, I'm guessing because she respects her and she wants to make sure she's safe. Once Naomi realizes how stubborn Ruth is being she quits telling her to go back to her homeland and they continue the journey to Bethlehem. If you wouldn't stay with your mother-in-law to prove your loyalty to your husband and his family, then you should re-evaluate your situation. I know for a fact 100% that I would go with my husbands mother (to be clear I am not married yet, I am just putting it from a perspective as if I were). Anyway, once they arrive in Bethlehem Naomi insists on changing her name to Mara. We see that she says "because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the Lord, has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted me" (1: 20-21). Continue on towards the middle of the book when Ruth goes out into the field and begins working for a man named Boaz. Who turns out to be a relative of Elimelek. Boaz sees her and how hard she works and treats her properly. Not like any other field worker of the time.
Boaz shows Ruth a lot of respect. He says "Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the women. I have told the men not to lay a hand on you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled" (2:9). I think this is incredible because at the time to show that kind of respect to someone that works for you is very rare.
Ruth continues to work in the field for Boaz with respect from the other women and men who work for him. Each day she comes back to stay with Naomi. Naomi would ask her to do things, and she would obey her requests without questioning. The more I study the book of Ruth, I realize how much respect she has for Naomi. She is so brave and tough throughout the death of her husband, and I like to think that the only reason she obeys Naomi is because it is the Lord working through her. We see Ruth obey Naomi in chapter 3, verses 3-4 "wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don't let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. when he lies down, note the place where he is lying (okay that seems a little bit creepy in today's world, but it was a different time). Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do". With what Naomi told her, she did it.
Continue reading and we see that Boaz marries Ruth and they bare a child who they then give to Naomi to raise.
The story of Ruth is No Ordinary Book, because it talks about a woman who struggles yet listens to the voice of God. A woman who goes through so many struggles and trials in life, yet continues to live her life trusting in God. Ruth is amazing. She is strong. She has courage, and she is filled with hope.
Know what? You can be those things too! I strive to remind myself of those things when I feel like I am struggling or when I feel like God has abandoned me. If God is there for Ruth and Naomi, that means He will be there for me too, and that in itself is such an encouragement. Anyways, I encourage you to go read through the Book of Ruth and see for yourself just how inspiring the book is.
Bible Translation is from the NIV Bible on the Holy Bible (YouVersion) Bible App.
Photo from: https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/5-lessons-women-can-learn-from-ruth.html
The book of Ruth starts off with a brief genealogy of Ruth's mother in law, Naomi. Quick back story to understand the concept of the book. Naomi marries a man, Elimelek, together they bare two sons. Though we aren't exactly told when Naomi's husband dies, we do know that their sons both marry Moabite women. As if that isn't hard enough on Naomi, after about ten years, both of Naomi's sons die (chapter 1: 4-5). Naomi leaves for Bethlehem with her two daughter-in-laws. On the way Naomi tells both women to return to their families in Moab. Both women weep at the thought of leaving her. When I read that I remember thinking, I don't think I would want to leave my mother-in-law, mostly because at that point you have built a relationship with her, and leaving her behind would mean that I am leaving my late husband too. As she kissed the two women goodbye, Oprah left, but Ruth stayed behind. Ruth said to Naomi "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God" (1:16).
I want to focus in on that verse.The way Ruth responds to Naomi is the same way God responds to us. He is our God and he will NEVER leave us or turn away from us. The dedication she shows towards Naomi is incredible. She doesn't want to leave her, I'm guessing because she respects her and she wants to make sure she's safe. Once Naomi realizes how stubborn Ruth is being she quits telling her to go back to her homeland and they continue the journey to Bethlehem. If you wouldn't stay with your mother-in-law to prove your loyalty to your husband and his family, then you should re-evaluate your situation. I know for a fact 100% that I would go with my husbands mother (to be clear I am not married yet, I am just putting it from a perspective as if I were). Anyway, once they arrive in Bethlehem Naomi insists on changing her name to Mara. We see that she says "because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the Lord, has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted me" (1: 20-21). Continue on towards the middle of the book when Ruth goes out into the field and begins working for a man named Boaz. Who turns out to be a relative of Elimelek. Boaz sees her and how hard she works and treats her properly. Not like any other field worker of the time.
Boaz shows Ruth a lot of respect. He says "Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the women. I have told the men not to lay a hand on you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled" (2:9). I think this is incredible because at the time to show that kind of respect to someone that works for you is very rare.
Ruth continues to work in the field for Boaz with respect from the other women and men who work for him. Each day she comes back to stay with Naomi. Naomi would ask her to do things, and she would obey her requests without questioning. The more I study the book of Ruth, I realize how much respect she has for Naomi. She is so brave and tough throughout the death of her husband, and I like to think that the only reason she obeys Naomi is because it is the Lord working through her. We see Ruth obey Naomi in chapter 3, verses 3-4 "wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don't let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. when he lies down, note the place where he is lying (okay that seems a little bit creepy in today's world, but it was a different time). Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do". With what Naomi told her, she did it.
Continue reading and we see that Boaz marries Ruth and they bare a child who they then give to Naomi to raise.
The story of Ruth is No Ordinary Book, because it talks about a woman who struggles yet listens to the voice of God. A woman who goes through so many struggles and trials in life, yet continues to live her life trusting in God. Ruth is amazing. She is strong. She has courage, and she is filled with hope.
Know what? You can be those things too! I strive to remind myself of those things when I feel like I am struggling or when I feel like God has abandoned me. If God is there for Ruth and Naomi, that means He will be there for me too, and that in itself is such an encouragement. Anyways, I encourage you to go read through the Book of Ruth and see for yourself just how inspiring the book is.
Bible Translation is from the NIV Bible on the Holy Bible (YouVersion) Bible App.
Photo from: https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/5-lessons-women-can-learn-from-ruth.html
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