The book of Ruth gives a glimpse into the life of an Israelites family during the period of the judges. This family later became very important to Israel, because one of Ruth's great-grandchildren was King David.
In addition to Ruth, the other main character in the book is Naomi,
who lived in Bethlehem with her husband and two sons. But the crops failed, and the family moved to the country of Moab. Naomi's husband died, and her sons married Moabite women. Ruth was one of those women.
After Naomi's two sons died in Moab, she decided to return to Bethlehem. Naomi told her two daughters-in-law to stay in Moab and find new husbands. But Ruth refused to stay and instead went to Bethlehem with her. The rest of the book tells how Ruth married a rich relative named Boaz.
According to the law, Moabites were not allowed to become Israelites. But this book tells how Ruth became completely loyal and faithful to the Lord and was allowed to join the people of Israel.. She told Naomi:
I will go where you go, I will live where you live;
Your people will be my people,
your God will be my God.
I will die where you die and be buried beside you.
May the Lord punish me if we are ever separated,
even by death! (1.16b,17)
Here are 5 Lessons from The Book of Ruth
Loyalty to Others
1 # Short Commentary & Lesson From Ruth 1.6-18
Ruth determined to be loyal to her mother-in-law, even when Naomi released her from the responsibility. Although she understood that the future with Naomi might be hard and that staying in Moab would be easier, Ruth made a commitment to go with her mother-in-law.
We rarely see such commitment nowadays, Instead, we live in a society whose philosophy could be summed up by the motto, "Look out for Number One."
Yer it is Ruth's commitment that the LORD requires of us. He wants us to commit ourselves to obeying him, even though we do not know what the future holds. This is also the type of loyalty God expects us to show in our families, and to a limited extent, in our church and business relationships.
Generosity in Action
2 # Short Commentary & Lesson From Ruth 2.4-16
Boaz was impressed with Ruth because she was a hard worker, but he was even more touched by her brave and unselfish actions toward Naomi. Boaz saw in Ruth qualities we should all want in ourselves: a good reputation matched with good actions.
Like Ruth, Boaz demonstrated a kind and loyal heart through his response to the needs of others. His prayer that the LORD would bless Ruh was partially answered through his own actions. Not only did Boaz allow Ruth to pick up grain, he instructed his servants to make it easier for her. As we fight the temptation to be selfish with our possessions and talents, we should realize that our acts of kindness may be the answer to someone else's prayers.
An Unusual Marriage Proposal
3 # Short Commentary & Lesson From Ruth 3.1-13
Boaz was obviously surprised to awaken and find Ruth lying at his feet in the middle of the night. Ruth's actions, though unusual by our standards, were not meant as a sexual advance, they were not considered immoral or indecent within that culture.
By lying at Boaz's feet, Ruth was acknowledging his right to marry her. The law demanded that when a married man died before his wife had children, the closest available relative should marry the widow so the family name could be carried on.
Boaz's willingness to accept, cover, and protect Ruth in marriage is an illustration of the way Jesus accepts us, covers our sin, and brings us into his family.
From Tragedy to Triumph
4 # Short Commentary & Lesson From Ruth 4.1-13
When the closest relative refused to buy Elimelech's land and marry Ruth, Boaz quickly announced that he would do both. Ruth's loyalty to Naomi was being greatly rewarded. She was now to have a fine, godly husband. Naomi, too, was blessed as a result of Ruth's faithfulness-she soon had a grandson!
When we obey God's direction in our lives, the path ahead may look rough and rocky. But we can be assured that, like Ruth, our obedience and loyalty will be rewarded by God some day, and those around us will be blessed as well.
A Life of Significance
5 # Short Commentary & Lesson From Ruth 4.14-22
A wonderful change had taken place in Ruth's life - even more so than she knew at the time. When she left Moab with her mother-in-law, Ruth may have thought she was doomed to a life of poverty and obscurity. But because of the LORD'S goodness to her, she became the great-grandmother of David, from whose family Jesus Christ was eventually born.
No matter how grim things may seem right now, we can find comfort in knowing that God is in control. His plans for our lives are always much greater than we can imagine, and all of us are significant in his eyes.
Promises For Us
Can you imagine losing everything you have? In Florida, a hurricane can turn a community with semitropical vegetation into a scene from a war zone. Drifts on insulation, shards of plywood, farming, and aluminum siding litter rows of foundations lining streets blocked by utility poles and overturned vehicles.
In California, a major earthquake can leave a city fractured and helpless. Broken buildings aren't habitable. Highways and streets are buckled and split. Gas and water mains snap. Fires are fed by a gas blaze next to hydrants that can't be reached by firemen because the streets are impassable.
The book of Ruth is a tale of two women who had lost everything. Naomi lost her home and family because of famine and death. Ruth gave up her life in Moab to accompany Naomi. In despair, Naomi claimed that God hated her but she was wrong. The loyalty of Ruth paved the way for the loyalty of God to show itself to Naomi.
Do you ever feel like you are losing everything? Ruth is an important part of the Bible to read when you do. God is on your side. He will show his commitment to your through people like Ruth.
For Consideration
- At what points in your life do you tend to feel wiped out and deserted by God and people?
- What have you ever sacrificed to help a person in deep need?
- Who do you know that are loyal people like Ruth?
