Our story unfolds a bit more today. What did we learn about Ruth today? She is devoted, and she loves deeply. Ruth didn’t want Naomi, her mother-in-law to go back to Judah alone. Ruth wasn’t thinking about her own needs or own future. She was being selfless and wanted to support Naomi. Afterall, Naomi had lost a husband and two sons and was all alone in the world.
To have a character like Ruth, to be more concerned about helping others before helping yourself sounds like something I’d like to aspire to. How about you? I know for our business, I tend to be more focused on helping others, sometimes forgetting my own needs. God looks at our hearts. He knows our desires.
If there is any confusion here in the text, it is my understanding that when one brother dies, by law, an unmarried brother should step up and marry the widow, taking his brother’s place. An interesting law, but it explains why Naomi was offering to have more sons so the widows would have a husband. However, waiting for those young men to grow up could mean the women would have to turn down other suitable opportunities. Naomi was only being thoughtful for her daughters-in-law.
Don’t you love Ruth’s determined response – “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.” As I said, selfless. Ruth was really stepping outside her comfort zone to follow Naomi into a land of unknowns. Would you have been so bold and determined?
God looked at Ruth’s heart. He saw such focused devotion. If Ruth could love Naomi like this, she would certainly be able to love God with her whole heart and being. The sacrifice Ruth made that day was about to shape her future. The trust she put in Naomi’s God was fantastic. Her bold statement, “your God will be my God.” What a testimony.
Have you done something so bold in your life? Have you stepped out of your comfort zone and walked into a new situation with blind faith trusting only on God? You may need to think on this one for a bit, or perhaps something flew instantly into your mind.
Are you ready for God to use you in a new way? Ask him.
Let’s pray. Father God, I thank you for this reminder of having a determined faith. I pray for the boldness of Ruth to step into the unknown. Guide my steps and bring me to the people who need to hear from you. Open my mouth and may your words pass over my lips. You are my God, and I love you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
