Ruth, Day 1
There Is a Redeemer
“The Decision To Follow” — Chapter 1
Background
The book is named for its central character, a Moabite woman who married the son of a Judaean couple living in Moab. After the death of her husband, Ruth moved to Judah with her mother-in-law, Naomi, instead of remaining with her own people. Ruth then became the wife of Boaz, a wealthy kinsman of her former husband, and bore Obed, who, according to the final verses of the book, was the grandfather of David. This attempt to make Ruth an ancestor of David is considered a late addition to a book that itself must be dated in the late 5th or 4th century BC. Its author apparently wrote the story to correct the particularism that characterized Judaism after the Babylonian exile and the rebuilding of the temple of Jerusalem (516 BC). The author who added the genealogy of David (4:17 – 22) carried the correction one step farther by making David the great-grandson of a foreign woman (from the editors of Encyclopedia Britannica).
Ruth Chapter 1
The author tells us that there was a Hebrew man named Elimelech from Judah who settled with his family in Moab (pagan territory). His wife’s name was Naomi. Elimelech and Naomi had 2 sons both of whom married Moabite women (Orpah and Ruth). Ten years pass and Elimelech and the 2 sons had died. This left Naomi a widow along with her widowed daughters-in-law. Naomi found out that God had attended to His people in Judah by providing food.
So, she decided to return to her people in Judah. She encouraged her daughters-in-law to stay with their people (Moabites) and settle with their new husbands and their gods. After much persuasion, Orpah agreed and stayed in Moab. Ruth convinced Naomi that she would go with Naomi to Judah and live as a Hebrew and worship the Hebrew God. When they arrived in Bethlehem of Judah, they were welcomed by Naomi’s relatives. Naomi shared with her relatives how God dealt with her with the loss of the men in her life. She asked to be called “Mara,” which means “bitter” — because of the loss of her husband and 2 sons. The time of the year that they arrived in Bethlehem was the barley harvest season.
Insight
It is apparent to me that Naomi’s Hebrew heritage and spiritual testimony had such an effect on Ruth that she was convinced to leave her pagan background, family, and gods. She was willing to follow Naomi to the land that worshiped the true God. She had no idea what her future had in store for her but her faith in Naomi’s God was a life decision that she was willing to follow.
Application
There are other instances in the Bible where individuals chose to leave their past and move forward to a new life because they were convinced that they were pursuing and following the direction of God. Abraham is one. The 12 disciples did it also. That is what Ruth did. God put in Ruth’s head and heart the peace of understanding and she followed His call.
God does not only speak to us in redirecting our life with the location of our home. He leads us through the details of our daily walk with Him. Are we listening to His call and guidance when He is speaking to us? Are we in tune with His plan for our life? Remember, God is always listening when we speak to Him in prayer. Are we listening to Him when He is speaking and guiding us?
Blessings from Carlton Ringer