This Sunday Pastor Byron spoke on the book of Ruth. As we continue our series on Heroines of the Faith, Ruth is a major player in the area. Ruth was a Moabite woman who married an Israelite and became widowed. Having nothing left where she was when her husband died and in a good relationship with her mother-in-law, Naomi, Ruth decided to follow Naomi back to Israel. From there, as they say, the rest is history. Though Pastor Byron’s sermon points are a bit different, I’d like to bring out three things that Ruth’s life embodies. The three things Ruth’s narrative embodies are all things we can do when our current situation(s) offer no opportunities to grow and benefit. With a pursuit of Jesus and His ways, the following are things we can do to partner with Him in changing our lives.
Ruth Was Willing to Do Something Different
How many times do we find ourselves stuck in a rut? Perhaps it is a job that offers no chance of advancement or challenges our personal growth. Maybe it is a circle of friends that keeps us stagnant, always critical of our attempts to succeed and better ourselves. Or maybe it’s just the realization that we watch way too much TV and have gained an unhealthy amount of weight.
Whatever the rut, Ruth exemplifies a way out. Ruth was a Moabite, married to an Israelite, living in Moab, along with her mother-in-law, Naomi. When Ruth’s husband died, Ruth and Naomi were in Moab with no male support or protection (things were different back then). Naomi decided to return to Israel, a land where she had family connections and better social support as a widow compared to the non-Israelite nations. Naomi invites Ruth.
Ruth finds herself at a crossroads of decisions. She can stay in Moab, with no means of financial support and try to marry a Moabite male who would have a widow (a.k.a. non-virgin). Or she could follow Naomi to Israel, a land that had better support for widows, and be close to Naomi. Ruth chooses the later, saying to Naomi, “Where you go, I will go. Your God will be my God.”
Ruth was in a situation where things were not stellar. She grew up in Moab. She knew the ins and outs of the country’s regard for widows. She found something different with her Israelite husband and mother-in-law. What she tasted was much sweeter than what Moab had to offer. So the question was whether Ruth was willing to leave everything she had known for something different.
For most people, a familiar misery is more comfortable than an unfamiliar pleasure. Like the saying says, “The devil you know is better than the devil you don’t.” Ruth took that chance. She knew what Moab had to offer and didn’t like it. She took a chance with Naomi. In the narrative, there is another widow from Naomi’s other son who decided to stay with the Devil she knew–it was more comfortable.
Are we willing to do something different if we are in a situation that keeps us down? Are we willing to take a risky leap and change jobs, move, change friends? Are we willing to do what it takes to better ourselves as we pursue God and the Kingdom of Heaven? Will we “count the cost” of living a better life in Christ and be completely transformed in everything from lifestyle to work to relationships?
Ruth Followed the Wisdom of Naomi
Naomi advised Ruth regarding a couple major themes in Ruth. First is survival skills for widows in Israel. Unlike the other nations, Israel made concessions for the poor and widowed by forbidding farmers from harvesting the edges of their fields. Naomi guided Ruth to the field of a kinsman named Boaz. He was a righteous man, and followed the law. Second, Naomi advised Ruth in getting Boaz’s attention–more on that in the next section.
My first trip out of the country landed me in central Europe. I was placed in a land where I barely knew anyone (few loose connections), where the language was completely unfamiliar, and where I simply didn’t have tools for even basic conversation. I had to follow the wisdom of my American co-workers who had experience in the country. Had I not followed their wisdom, I would have made the trip much harder on myself-as I later found out in the solo part of my travels. Having someone who knows the ways of things makes a huge difference in both thriving and integrating into a different culture.
Thriving and integrating are not limited to foreign interactions. There are plenty of classes, cultures, sub-groups, and cliques here in the states. As explained in J. D. Vance’s memoir “Hillbilly Elegy,” simply going from rural rust belt American culture to a university with college graduates is a major change. Even in state universities, the mindset, values, and language is completely different. Since there is such a diverse gamut of culture, values, and opportunity here in the USA, one need not go to a foreign land to learn this lesson from Ruth.
There are experienced people in any social setting whose wisdom you can learn from. In working for the kingdom of heaven, this is absolutely imperative, especially if you feel you are called to minister in a people group/culture different from your own (this includes middle class people ministering to the poor in their towns and counties). They’re not going to see the world the same way you do. Learning from the wisdom of someone who knows a culture’s values, principles, and ways is the only real way to develop legitimate relationships with the people. Learn from the wisdom of others, that’s what Ruth did with Naomi.
Ruth Placed Herself In a Position To Be Noticed
As the author of Ecclesiastes puts it, “Time and Chance happen to everyone.” Hard work and diligence is not the secret to success in everything. They are essential components, yes, but another important factor is who you know (or can get noticed by). Nearly all major job offers come from a personal contact, rather than an algorithm. In terms of the Christian faith, this principle is just as pertinent. The advantage is we have God arranging our paths to cross with pertinent people. However, in the faith arena, there are things we can do to partner with God by creating an environment where we can be more easily noticed.
Following Naomi’s advice, Ruth placed herself in positions to be noticed by Boaz. I would be remiss not to mention that Namoi knows how things work in Israel, and definitely played that to the advantage of both Ruth and herself. Naomi knew about the “Kinsman Redeemer” law in Israel. Naomi knew Boaz was the next of kin in terms of widowhood. Naomi knew Ruth was a beautiful foreign woman. By Naomi’s knowledge of Israelite ways, Ruth was able to position herself in a way to be noticed by Boaz. First, she was able to get noticed while collecting grain. Had it not been for Naomi’s prompting, it is likely Ruth, a foreigner, would have gleaned the fields after all the other poor and widowed late in the evening. However, Naomi guided her to collect the grains when there was a better likelihood of Boaz noticing her.
Boaz taking note of Ruth led to him leaving extra grain for her. As Ruth reported the exchanges with Naomi, Naomi guided Ruth to be more noticeable, until it was eventually clear that Boaz was willing to marry Ruth. From there, Ruth and Boaz gave birth to Obed, who fathered Jesse, who fathered David, King of Isreal.
So those are three practical things we can take away from the book of Ruth. A willingness to do something different can change our lives in amazing ways, especially when we do it for the kingdom of heaven, following the call of God on our lives. Following the wisdom of others is imperative if we are going to take ground for the kingdom of heaven. It’s not our job to reinvent the wheel, but rather to push the cart further down the path. Thirdly, we will see more advances in our kingdom work when we create an environment where we can be noticed. Note: This is not a self-promotion tactic or something reminiscent of the Pharisee’s prayers in public. It is more akin to not hiding our “candle under a bushel.” It was Naomi’s place to be noticed by Boaz, as he was the next of kin. She did it by winning his heart instead of manipulating the laws. So it is a Christian’s place to work for the kingdom of heaven so that the world can see our good deeds and notice them-”and glorify our Father in heaven.”
So those are the reflections of Ruth. Did this post inspire or challenge you? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. If you like what you read and want more, don’t forget to subscribe with your email.