The story of Ruth, and the experiences of faith she endured, present a brilliant and exemplary legacy of commitment to God, His people and the interests of His kingdom, one that is not only worthy of note but also worthy of emulation.
Ruth got connected with the people of God through a series of very unusual circumstances, yet after she had witnessed the work of God in her mother-in law she made a decision to permanently cast in her lot with His people, regardless of cost or the outcome.
Her faith and her resulting legacy were not based on the here and now, nor was it based upon any of those material benefits or promises which too many in our day base their relationship with God upon. It was a faith that loved and appreciated God for who He is, not for what He has, and this made the world of difference when it came crunch time for decision making.
Sooner or later, our own decisions to follow Christ will be tested to demonstrate what it has been built upon, whether it is a faith of convenience where the benefits, material blessings, and promises of health are the top motivating factors, or whether we serve God because of who He is and what He has done for us through Christ.
Even though God has promised His people material benefits and protection from enemies and diseases, it’s what Christ did for us on Calvary that should be of the most importance to us. To save us from sin, and to restore His image in us, should be the source of our deepest gratitude and thanksgiving.
Thus, Ruth’s understanding of God was not material based, but spiritual, and because of this, God could, and would trust her with all the temporal blessings of life, because her priorities and her focus, were in the right direction.
The story begins with the departure of Naomi and her family from her native land, because of a famine that was taking its toll on the inhabitants. They had migrated to the land of the Moabites for economic reasons but while there a series of very unfortunate losses took hold of the family.
Naomi, her husband, and their two sons had come to dwell with the Moabites, most likely temporarily, so as to wait out the famine that had gripped their homeland. But Naomi’s husband died, and she was left alone with her two sons who then had become united with the Moabites through marriage. Let’s read:
Ruth 1:1 Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem-Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.
2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion. And they came into the country of Moab and continued there.
3 And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.
Even though it is not God’s ideal will for His people to be united in marriage with persons who do not serve or know Him, yet the marriage institution was given by God as the foundation of all society, and as such, it is to be honored, regardless of whether two persons are Christians or not.
It is the institution that is sacred, not merely those who engage in marriage, and because of its sanctity believers who might have married persons of other persuasions are counselled in the Bible to respect the institution, by trying to make the best of their situation, because the mercy of God is extended to all, even if the marriage may not have been in line with scriptural teaching.
As some persons like Ruth become acquainted with The God of heaven, as they gain an understanding of the wisdom of His laws and principles, some are moved to cast in their lot permanently with Christ, and in this God is glorified, for it is His will that none should perish but that all should have eternal life.
Thus, if persons find themselves in a position such as Ruth, or Naomi’s sons, let them try by the grace of God to make the most of it for God will work with such persons to bring salvation to themselves, and their families wherever there are willing hearts and minds. Let’s read:
1st Corinthians 7:12 If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.
14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.
16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
However, not long after, Naomi’s two sons also died and she was now left with her daughters in law who continued with her for a while, until she heard that the famine had subsided in Judah, and thus, it came time for decision-making. Will the two widows now return to their families in Moab, where their roots and culture had been etched into their way of life?
Or would they follow Naomi to a strange land, to a strange people of entirely different culture, worship and practice. In Judah they had no friends, no family ties, and they would have to start from scratch to become acclimated to a new way of life. In addition, they were widows and thus their prospects of being remarried would be slim at best, according to man’s wisdom.
Even to the God-fearing Naomi, it seemed a bit of a stretch to ask, let alone expect them to uproot from their hometown, to move with her back to Judah, where she would be coming back to who knows what. And because the situation was weighing on her mind, she decided to confront the two directly, to know what their thoughts were on the matter. Let’s read:
Ruth 1:5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.
6 Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread.
7 Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.
8 And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the Lord
deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.
9 The Lord grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice and wept.
10 And they said unto her, Surely, we will return with thee unto thy people.
Thus far it seems as if both were bent on returning with Naomi, but a deeper probe revealed thoughts that were entirely different, the one from the other. As Naomi outlined to them in graphic detail the dim prospects of being remarried to her bloodline, put together with the challenges of relocating to a new place, it seemed as if the wise thing would be for them to stay put in their homeland.
How many of us faced with a similar situation would be willing to leave family, and friends behind, to go to a strange land, let alone a strange religion. Most would prefer the safety and security of the home they know, rather than take a gamble with a widow who has apparently lost everything.
Thus, as both Ruth and Orpah carefully weighed the pros and cons, one decided to return to her family, culture, and gods, while the other chose to cast in her lot permanently with God’s people, even as the prospects for success seemed quite slim. Let’s read:
Ruth 1:11 And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
12 Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also tonight, and should also bear sons;
13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters.
14 And they lifted up their voice and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.
16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
18 When she saw that she was steadfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.
If Orpah had chosen to go with Naomi because of the godly influence she exerted; if she had chosen character over matter, it is quite possible that the same God who provided a wealthy spouse for Ruth, would have done the same for her, but her choice placed her in a different position than Ruth, and no more is mentioned of her in the scriptures.
In fact, the Bible mentions Orpah only twice, while Ruth’s name is mentioned thirteen times, and it is quite possible, that in the day of final reckoning, she will be seen on the outskirts of the new Jerusalem, while Ruth would be safe and sound on the inside, with the same God whom she chose, when it might have seemed to be too much of a gamble to Orpah.
When God by His providence has brought strangers to a place where they could see and understand His character, His laws and His goodness, such persons will always have ample opportunity to return to the former life the once knew, because God would only accept the free service of those who appreciate Him.
Indeed, everyone who has accepted Christ as Lord and Savior will have opportunity to change course, because the decision to serve God must be personal and deliberate, even if it be against all odds, just as it was with Ruth. This fact about salvation will come into full focus as the day for our permanent decision draws near.
At that time, persons will be weighing the pros and cons, whether to proceed with what they have seen and heard of The God of heaven, or whether they should return to the so-called safety and security of man-made systems. Thus, the mark of the beast will draw a distinct line between the Ruths, and Orpahs of the day. Let’s read:
Joel 3: 14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.
15 The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.
16 The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.
Hebrews 11:37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come and will not tarry.
38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
It is not possible for us to fully grasp the effort and extent to which God went to save us from sin. Only in the earth made new, with holy vision undimmed by fallen nature, would we begin to understand the love of God in extending to us a lifeline through Christ.
Therefore, let all who like Ruth, have come to know something of His saving grace, not take His mercies lightly; let not the transient things of earth blur our vision, because at the end of life’s journey it will be discovered that the most important, and weighted decision anyone has ever made, is to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior of their lives.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture that will remind and assure us that loving and serving God is never in vain, for the relationship with Christ is what makes all the difference in the world, and makes life worth living. Let’s read:
Matthew 19:27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29 And everyone that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
God Bless!