God Could Use You…Just Look at Ruth!

The Bible starts out by telling us of a severe famine in Israel. And because of this, a man named Elimelech moved his wife, Naomi, and their two sons to the neighboring, but not so friendly, country of Moab. Moab was one of the nations that oppressed Israel during the period of the judges, so there was a hostility between the two nations. After settling in Moab, Elimelech died. Naomi was left with her two sons, who married Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth. Ten years later, both sons died. This left Naomi alone without a husband and without her sons.

Naomi heard that Judah (the northern part of Israel) was being blessed again with good crops, and decided to travel back. With her two daughters-in-law by her side, she set out for Judah. Starting the journey, Naomi turned to her daughters-in-law and told them that they should go back to their parents’ homes and start new families…because they were still young, but Naomi said she was too old and it was of no use to stay with her. Orpah kissed Naomi goodbye, but Ruth replied,

“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!” When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she said nothing more. Ruth 1: 16-18

So they both continued on their travels to Judah. The story of Ruth teaches us that God’s living presence in a relationship overcomes differences that might otherwise create division and disharmony. To make a long story short…Ruth ends up marrying Boaz, who is the Family Redeemer. They have a child, who turns out to be the father of King David. This story is amazing- you must read it for yourself, or maybe you’ll find a jewel in it if should read it again. To some, the book of Ruth may be just a nice story. But the events recorded in Ruth were part of God’s preparations for the births of David and of Jesus, the promised Messiah… Salvation through the Jews. Just as Ruth was unaware of this larger purpose in her life, we won’t know the full purpose and importance of our lives until we are able to look back from the perspective of eternity. 

Live in faithfulness to God, knowing that the significance of your life will extend beyond your lifetime. The rewards will outweigh any sacrifice you may have made!!!