S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

Ruth was "of the women of Moab" but was genetically linked to Israel through Lot, the nephew of Abraham (Genesis 11:31). Ruth had married the son of an Israelite family while they were living in Mo...

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July 01 2013 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What should we learn from the life of Ruth?

The book of Ruth teaches lessons about loyalty, faithfulness, and God's redemptive plan working through ordinary people. Key takeaways include that God can bring hope even from the most devastating circumstances, His grace extends to all people, regardless of their background, and individuals can be used for His purposes through obedience, hard work, and selfless love. The story also highlights the importance of kindness, humility, and service in leadership and provides a model for navigating grief and loss. 

Principles of Ruth:

1: Ruth's loyalty to Naomi: By choosing to stay with her mother-in-law and provide for her, Ruth demonstrated a deep and sacrificial loyalty that transcended cultural and familial bonds.

2: God's work in ordinary lives: The book shows that God is active and weaving a redemptive story through the everyday activities and challenges of average people. 

3: Hope in difficult times: The story begins with loss and tragedy but ends with redemption, demonstrating that hope can arise even in the most devastating situations. 

4: Grace for all: God's choice to include Ruth, a Moabite, in the lineage of King David and Jesus shows His grace is for all people and that He uses "unlikely" people to accomplish His purposes. 

5: Humility and service: Ruth's humble and selfless service in the fields earned her respect and favour, highlighting that authentic leadership involves serving others with kindness. 

6: Navigating grief: The story of Naomi and Ruth illustrates different responses to grief, showing that there is no single "right" way to grieve and that people can find comfort in various ways, such as through service to others or reconnecting with family roots. 

6: Faith and Commitment Amidst Uncertainty: Ruth made a conscious decision to follow the God of Israel, even though it meant an uncertain and potentially dangerous future as a foreigner and a poor widow. Her story teaches us to cling to hope in God and put faith into action, trusting that He will provide, even when the future is unclear.

7: Diligence and Hard Work: Instead of wallowing in self-pity or waiting to be rescued, Ruth immediately took initiative to provide for herself and Naomi by gleaning in the fields, an act of humble, physically demanding labour. Her strong work ethic and integrity were noticed by others, which ultimately led to divine favour and changed the course of her life.

7: Redemption and Inclusivity: As a Moabite, a person from a nation historically at odds with Israel and excluded from their assembly, Ruth's inclusion into the lineage of King David and ultimately Jesus Christ emphasises God's global mercy and desire to redeem all people regardless of their background or status.

8: God's Providence in Ordinary Life: The story of Ruth contains no grand miracles, but highlights God's hand working in everyday events. It demonstrates meticulous divine providence, showing that even in times of suffering, loss, and apparent silence from God, He is present and actively weaving together the details of our lives for a greater redemptive purpose.

This delightful record is undoubtedly beneficial, helping lovers of righteousness to build strong faith. All the principals in this exciting drama showed outstanding faith in God, and they "had witness borne to them through their faith." Heb. 11:39

And, they became fine examples for us today.

The life of Ruth encourages us to respond to God's grace with faithful obedience, sacrificial love, and a willingness to trust in His plan, no matter our circumstances.

5 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report