Naomi has lost her husband and two sons in Moab so she decides to return to her homeland. However, she does not lose her daughter-in-law even after Naomi repeatedly encouraged Ruth to return to her mother’s house.
Ruth's reply was and still is so powerful. “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.”
Ruth exhibits the traits described in the Proverbs 31 woman. She gave Naomi space to grieve while she gleaned fields from early morning till evening. Her focus was on serving Naomi not herself. What a wonderful lesson for us all!
Her character and work ethic received the attention of Boaz, the owner of the field and a relative of Naomi. Layer by layer, Naomi works through her grief and becomes a matchmaker. What a beautiful love story evolves out of heart-brokeness!
Boaz’s mom was Rahab, who had also, like Ruth, left pagan life to follow YHWH. He is drawn to this young woman who is an outsider, like himself, when he sees who she gladly gleans for her mother-in-law.
R uth refused to return to her parent’s abode,
U nbelievable work ethic, she carried the load-
T rusted God wholeheartedly, she never feared,
H umbly followed Namomi’s instructions no matter how weird!
Won’t you journey with us back to the turbulent time of Judges as we recap the amazing book of Ruth! Let’s strive to absorb the lessons that can be gleaned from this selfless servant-minded young widow!