The Example of Ruth

A story of Ruth has a many-fold purpose. It brings to light a great link in the lineage which descends to Jesus Christ; it emphatically portrays the overruling of God in the affairs of certain people. It reveals many enlightening details of the traditions and social decorum of the day and affords vivid glimpses into the prevailing applications of the Mosaic Law during Ruth’s time. These interesting phrases of ‘Ruth’ are all ample subjects for individual study but we wish here to glean a further contribution om these four brief chapters — a study of the lovely character of Ruth.

The Bible abounds in lessons applicable to every day of life, and the lessons of Ruth provide some wonderful examples. Let us consider the word ‘example.’ good example of righteous behavior equal the most eloquent exhortation. What made Ruth, a Moabitess idol worshiper, so intent and determined to serve the God of Israel? The answer lies the steadfastness of Naomi who through years of sorrow and disappointment retained an unfeigned love and faith in Jehovah.

“Turn again, my daughters: why will go with me?” Naomi faced the re­turn to Israel without husband or sons alone and aged, yet with complete regard for others and absolute unselfishness she bade her daughters-in-law return to their own land and avoid the hard journey back to Bethlehem. But her faithfulness and high character had made its impression on Ruth, “Entreat me not to leave thee . . for whither thou goest will go; and where thou lodgest I will lodge; thy people shall be my people and thy God my God. . .”. What beautiful words! The constancy of Naomi through the years of exile in a heathen land was now being repaid.

Was Ruth’s decision easy? Is it a right thing to leave home, parents, and religion for a different environment and an adopted faith? We may answer by comparing the problem with a similar one today. Such occurrences happen frequently within the household when a brother or sister attempts to bring in one of another belief. The decision is indeed difficult and often involves family animosity and permanent schisms. For guidance let us turn to the example of Ruth — the case is very fitting because like us she became an adopted Jew.

“He that loveth the father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and we that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”

Ruth’s faith was strong, decisive, and unwavering. Both Ruth and Naomi re­turned empty to Bethlehem: Ruth without family or country and Naomi bereft of loved ones and faced with the pos­sible loss of her inheritance through Elimelech, her deceased husband. In addition, they were faced with poverty and the immediate need for food and shelter for their sustenance. “Is this Naomi?” cried the Bethlehemites upon seeing Naomi after ten year’s absence. The toll of her sufferings in Moab apparently had taken visible effect upon her until she was barely recognizable by her own countrymen. Indeed, women of less substance might well have thrown up their hands in desperation and turned from the Lord in abject disappointment for their continual burdensome trials. But there was no self pity here, no regret, no murmuring, no desire by Ruth to return to an easier life in Moab. She had adopted Zion’s God and her love was toward His people and by this conviction she fully trusted in God’s help. In this Ruth displayed confidence — a confidence which is necessary and in which we can inalienably trust if we display a similar faith.

Soon Ruth attracted the attention of Boaz. She was asked to glean only in his fields and was given consideration and shown every courtesy by the young men who worked for Boaz. Why was Boaz so kind? Probably because he recognized in Ruth one of the most admirable characteristics a young woman can exhibit; care and love for a widowed mother and in this case a widowed mother-in-law.

Ruth was not impetuous. She did not try to solve all her problems single han­dedly. She realized that God would direct her footsteps; she had only to move her feet. A similar solution applies to the young people in the Truth who contemplate marriage. They should consider the serious step prayerfully. Will the union be pleasing in the Lord’s sight? Will it be one in which they can devote their entire living to the service of the Lord? There is often the urge to rush headlong against all odds into a hasty marriage, one in which we might barely fulfill our obligations as brethren of Christ. Let us wait upon the Lord’s will always and permit Him to direct out steps. Married or unmarried, our goal is salvation, not the gratification of mere temporal desires.

From what is revealed of Ruth’s character we discover a willingness to wholly and meekly submit to the vicissitudes meted out by God, with unwavering faith and unquestioning trust. As we know, her staunch faith was not unrewarded. Said Jesus, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: . . . To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne.”