The Life of Ruth.
“Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.”
– Ruth 1:16
How many books have you read where a side character becomes the hero? I only ask because that is Ruth’s story. This young Moabite woman (a non-Israelite) goes from the supporting cast to the lead role, and teaches us a few things along the way.
Ruth
Ruth’s Actions.
Our story begins when Elimelech (from Bethlehem) leaves his home in Judah and travels to Moab. There wasn’t any food in his hometown, so he thought his fortunes would be better elsewhere. He takes his wife, Naomi, and their sons, Mahlon and Kilion.
Both of Elimelech’s sons marry Moabite women. Then Elimelech dies. Ten years later, Mahlon dies. So does Kilion. The end.
Hold up, crops are doing better in Judah, so Naomi takes her two widowed daughters-in-law back towards Judah. Unexpectedly, she then tells them, “Go back to your mothers’ homes. And may the LORD reward you for your kindness to your husbands and to me (Ruth 1:8).” Naomi hopes they can remarry and have a better life than she had. Perhaps this was also a subtle test.
Orpah, Naomi’s first daughter-in-law, says a tearful goodbye. Naomi now turns to Ruth. But Ruth won’t leave.
Ruth declares, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us (Ruth 1:16-17)!”
Ruth’s Attitude.
Ruth’s defining attribute, in my eyes, is loyalty. Ruth refused to give up on her family. She’d been grafted into a new family through marriage, and she wouldn’t turn from them. Ruth didn’t give up on the people she loved.
When Naomi and Ruth arrive in Bethlehem, they’re poor. Ruth, ever resourceful, offers to “…go out into the harvest fields to pick up the stalks of grain left behind by anyone who is kind enough to let me do it (Ruth 2:2).”
Ruth goes into Boaz’s field. (Boaz is distantly related to Naomi’s husband, Elimelech.) I’m sure things weren’t ideal. Ruth had to work in the sun all day long. Surely this wasn’t how she’d envisioned her life ten years ago. If she believed in God at this point, she was probably doubting Him.
I want to pause here and insert a testimony from one of my fellow Camp Staff and Lifeguards that talks about God meeting us in our fears and doubts.
A Camp Staff testimony…
“This summer, I was able to learn a lot about God through my devotions, which before camp had been dry like never before. I felt so drained and so unspiritual going up to camp. But the LORD was so good to me, and when I asked Him to reveal Himself to me, He did, and gave me devotions that not only grew me closer to Him, but that also allowed me to take what I learned into my everyday life. He also answered many prayers. One day I prayed during Staff Training for Him to show Himself to me after I confessed fears over the waterpark set up, and He responded with the verse Psalm 29:3: ‘The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters.’ Through this verse, which I memorized right away, He gave me strength and helped me to learn a valuable lesson about trusting the One who is able to do infinitely more than I can.”
Ruth’s Affliction.
Her love for Naomi and loyalty to her mother-in-law leads Ruth to persevere. Not long after, Boaz notices her work ethic. This isn’t a promise, but generally, good work gets noticed. We have this misconceived notion that the only way to get what we want is by acting like a know-it-all or asking for handouts. I believe we set ourselves up much better by establishing a godly example and working hard. Ruth soon gets a reputation as a virtuous woman.
Boaz sees this. He allows Ruth to pick up the leftovers after his harvesters, he tells his men not to treat her roughly, and he allows Ruth to gather more than normal. He even lets her eat with him and his harvesters.
Ruth’s Answer.
Then things get interesting. Naomi mentions, “…It’s time that I found a permanent home for you, so that you will be provided for. Now do as I tell you – take a bath and put on perfume and dress in your nicest clothes. Then go to the threshing floor, but don’t let Boaz see you until he has finished eating and drinking. Be sure to notice where he lies down; then go and uncover his feet and lie down there. He will tell you what to do (Ruth 3:1b, 3-4).”
No, the story doesn’t “get weird” from this point on. When Boaz wakes up and sees Ruth, she explains that as her kin through Elimelech, he has the right to become her Family Redeemer by marrying her.
Boaz joyfully says he would…except there is another man more closely related.
Ruth’s Aftermath.
The tale reaches its zenith as Boaz meets with the closest of kin. He tells him that if this man agrees to redeem the family, he’ll get all of Elimelech’s property. Oh…and he has to marry the young Moabite, Ruth. The next of kin isn’t very happy about this last part, so Boaz offers a convenient solution: he’ll marry Ruth and take the land. He gives Boaz his sandal to seal the deal, and Ruth and Boaz are married. Later, they have a son named Obed.
Ruth’s loyalty to her family, her mother-in-law, and Boaz leads to a better future than she could have imagined. Her faithfulness allowed her to play a part in God’s grand story.
Our Application.
I’ll circle back to the word that defines Ruth’s life: loyalty. Ruth chose not to give up on her family. She cared for them even when it was hard. Ruth looked out for others’ interests. She was selfless.
Family isn’t always easy. A lot of the time it can be hard. But in those times we need to remain loyal. It will be a challenge, and yet, God has given us our families for a purpose. Don’t give up on them. Stay as true to your family as God is in inviting you to be part of His. Try to be as faithful as Ruth.
Speaking as much to myself as to you, the most important relationships we have should be with those whom God has called us to spend our lives with: family (whether immediate or through blood).
Here’s today’s reflection question.
Where in your family/friend circles is God asking you to stay loyal?
Where does He want you to practice faithfulness?
Next week, we’ll learn about Ruth’s great-grandson. I think Proverbs 3:3 sums up her life well…
“Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.”
I’d love to hear from you!