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Faith is shown when we care for others,

When our love goes beyond our sisters and brothers,

Ruth cared for Naomi like her own mother,

Her faith was evident that she cared for others.

Jesus was born from the lineage of Ruth,

Rich blessings will come if we follow the truth,

He is the bread of life, the living proof,

That if we live by faith, we can go beyond the roof.

The faith of Ruth is one to be emulated,

Biblical truth in it we should be educated,

No action of faith should be underestimated,

No word of faith should be underrated.

Ruth cared for Naomi and shared in her affliction,

Pleasing God needs to be our first mission,

Faith in actions will make us transition,

Let’s not wait longer but start the ignition.

Hebrews 11:32-35 (KJV) – “³² And what shall I more say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: ³³ Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. ³⁴ Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. ³⁵ Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection.”

Ruth was one of the people who wrought righteousness. Through faith, she pleased God and blessed multitudes beyond her realization. Faith goes a long way in improving the lives of people. When you do anything by faith, your action impacts people you know and those you don’t know. For example, the Bible writers have influenced generations they are unaware of. We read the words that the Holy Spirit inspired them and we are blessed.

According to the Strong Exhaustive Concordance, Ruth means friend or friendship. The story of Ruth begins with a lady called Naomi, her mother-in-law. Naomi was married to a man named Elimelech. Together, they had two sons called Mahlon and Chilion. They were in the land of Moab, and their two sons married Moabite wives. One was named Orpah, and the other one was named Ruth. Elimelech died. After he died, his two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, died. Therefore, Naomi was left with her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth (Ruth 1:1-5).

Naomi decided to return to the land of Judah because she heard that the Lord had visited His people and provided them food to eat (Ruth 1:6). Naomi decided to leave Orpah and Ruth in Moab. Both of them refused to leave her, and they resolved to go to Judah with her (Ruth 1:10). Naomi told them to remain in Moab so that they may get husbands. Orpah listened to Naomi, and she kissed her goodbye, but Ruth clung to her mother-in-law (Ruth 1:14).

Ruth 1:15-16 (KJV) – “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.”

“And now tidings reached Moab, that “Jehovah had visited His people to give them bread.” Naomi heard in it a call to return to her own land and home. According to eastern fashion, her daughters-in-law accompanied her on the way. When Naomi deemed that duty of proper respect sufficiently discharged, she stopped to dismiss them—as she delicately put it—to their “mother’s” houses, with tenderly spoken prayer, that after all their sorrow the God of Israel would give them rest in a new relationship, as they had dealt lovingly both with the dead and with her. Closely examined, her words are found to convey, although with most exquisite delicacy, that, if her daughters-in-law went with her, they must expect to remain forever homeless and strangers. She could offer them no prospect of wedded happiness in her own family, and she wished to convey to them, that no Israelite in his own land would ever wed a daughter of Moab. It was a noble act of self-denial on the part of the aged Hebrew widow by this plain speaking to strip herself of all remaining comfort, and to face the dark future, utterly childless, alone, and helpless. And when one of them, Orpah, turned back, though with bitter sorrow at the parting, Naomi had a yet more trying task before her. Ruth had, indeed, fully understood her mother-in-law’s meaning; but there was another sacrifice which she must be prepared to make, if she followed Naomi. She must not only be parted from her people, and give up forever all worldly prospects, but she must also be prepared to turn her back upon her ancestral religion. But Ruth had long made her choice, and the words in which she intimated it have deservedly become almost proverbial in the church. There is such ardor and earnestness about them, such resolution and calmness, as to lift them far above the sphere of mere natural affection or sense of duty. They intimate the deliberate choice of a heart which belongs in the first place to Jehovah, the God of Israel (1:17), and which has learned to count all things but loss for the excellency of this knowledge. Although the story of Ruth has been invested with romance from its sequel, there is nothing romantic about her present resolve. Only the sternest prose of poverty is before her. Not to speak of the exceedingly depressing influence of her language (1:13, 20, 21), Naomi had been careful to take from her any hope of a future, such as she had enjoyed in the past. In truth, the choice of Ruth is wholly unaccountable, except on the ground that she felt herself in heart and by conviction one of a Hebrew household—an Israelitish woman in soul and life, and that although she should in a sense be disowned by those with whom she had resolved to cast in her lot.” – Bible History Old Testament, Volume 3, Page 160.1, Ellen G. White.

“There was stir in the quiet little village of Bethlehem—especially among the women —when Naomi unexpectedly returned after her long absence, and that in so altered circumstances. The lamentations of the widow herself made her even repudiate the old name of Naomi for Mara (“bitter”), for that “Jehovah” had “testified against,” and “Shaddai” afflicted her. Whether or not Naomi and her acquaintances really understood the true meaning of this “testifying” on the part of Jehovah, certain it is, that the temporary excitement of her arrival soon passed away, and the widow and her Moabite companion were left to struggle on alone in their poverty. Apparently no other near relatives of Elimelech were left, for Boaz himself is designated in the original as “an acquaintance to her husband,” though the term indicates also relationship. And thus through the dreary winter matters only grew worse and worse, till at last early spring brought the barley-harvest.” – Bible History Old Testament, Volume 3, Page 161.1, Ellen G. White.

Naomi loved her two daughters in law. Therefore, she wanted them to live happy lives and not face adversity with her. Both Orpah and Ruth loved Naomi. However, Ruth loved her more. Orpah’s desire to get married again was more than her love for her mother-in-law, which is why she left her. Ruth’s love for Naomi was more than her desire to get a husband and to live a comfortable life. Therefore, she decided to stick with Naomi, comfort her, and share her affliction.

Ruth was from Moab, but her interaction with Naomi made her know the God of Israel, the only true God. She believed in God. By faith, she acted righteously by showing genuine care for her mother-in-law. The Bible says in James 2:26 (KJV) – ^“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” Ruth’s faith was followed by action. Many people utter words to show that they care and believe in God, but few do activities that show genuine faith in God. Ruth was willing to live her entire life without a husband so that she could care for her mother-in-law. She was to be a foreigner in the land of Judah and had no guarantee of a good life there, but she still chose to stay with Naomi and strengthen her in hardship.

Ruth went to work in the field of Boaz so that she could provide for Naomi and herself. Boaz was related to Elimelech, Naomi’s late husband. She asked Naomi for permission before going (Ruth 2:2). Ruth humbled herself and took the job of gleaning the field and gathering. When Boaz saw her doing that, he stopped her from doing that and gave her a higher position of supervising the people working in the field. Ruth did not uplift herself, she humbled herself. Never make it your business to raise your rank. Follow God’s purpose humbly and God will uplift you. Boaz commanded the young people not to touch Ruth and allowed her to drink from the water vessels the men had drawn (Ruth 2:7-9).

Ruth asked Boaz what has made him favor her that much (Ruth 2:10). Boaz responded to her in Ruth 2:11 (KJV) – “It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.” Boaz favored her because he heard everything Ruth had done for her mother-in-law. Myron Golden says, “Every thought is a seed, every word is a seed, every deed is a seed, and every dollar is a seed that you sow into your future.” The Bible says in Galatians 6:7 (KJV) – “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Ruth reaped what she sowed through her kind actions.

Some people have missed huge harvests because of the evil seeds they sowed. The words and actions of a person travel to places beyond that person’s imagination. You can say something in Kenya, and it affects someone in Guyana. You can do something in Norway, and it affects someone in the Solomon Islands. Moses secretly killed an Egyptian when he found him fighting with an Israelite and thought nobody saw him. He was shocked to realize that the news had spread and some people knew about it.

The Bible says in Luke 12:2-3 (KJV) – “² For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. ³ Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.”

Whatever good or bad thing one has done will surely come to light. Therefore, be intentional in living a righteous life. An opportunity may fail to be presented to you because of an evil deed you did to someone. The reverse is true. A vast opportunity may be delivered to you because someone spoke well of you and told them something good you did for them.

Some people have lost potential spouses because of their bad reputation, while some have gained due to their excellent reputation. Proverbs 22:1 (KJV) – “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.” A good name can bring riches, but riches cannot buy a good reputation. Ruth gained a remarkable reputation with Boaz because of her righteous actions.

Ruth followed Naomi’s advice and approached Boaz on the threshing floor, asking him to be her redeemer. She trusted that Boaz would act honorably and fulfill his duty as a kinsman (Ruth 3). Boaz did not disappoint her.

Ruth 4:13-22 (KJV) – “¹³ So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bare a son. ¹⁴ And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. ¹⁵ And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him. ¹⁶ And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it. ¹⁷ And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David. ¹⁸ Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron, ¹⁹ And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab, ²⁰ And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon, ²¹ And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed, ²² And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.”

Boaz proposed to Ruth as a result of her excellent reputation. She accepted Boaz as her husband and bore him a son, Obed, who became the grandfather of King David and an ancestor of Jesus Christ. She became part of God’s plan of salvation for all people (Ruth 4).

Philippians 2:3-4 (KJV) – “³ Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. ⁴ Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

Ruth had her mother-in-law’s interest above hers. It is easy to love one’s mother because of the biological direct relation. Ruth loved Naomi even though they were not biologically related. Naomi was Ruth’s mother-in-law. It is not strange to see hatred between wives and their husbands’ mothers. Some quarrel and fight a lot. Ruth was different. She genuinely loved her mother-in-law and went the extra mile to share in on her affliction.

Ruth’s faith was remarkable because she was not born into the covenant community of Israel but chose to join them and worship their God. She demonstrated loyalty, courage, and obedience in her actions. She is an example of how God can use anyone who trusts in Him and follows His will.

GOD BLESS YOU!

Prayer

Dear God, help me always to esteem others better than myself. Subdue all my selfishness and help me be selfless, just like Christ. Father, help me to always sow good words and deeds in people’s lives. In Jesus name, Amen.

Activity

1. List the things you did today that showed you cared for others more than yourself. Do this activity every day at the end of the day as you evaluate.
2. Make a weekly evaluation each Friday before the Sabbath and carry out an evaluation of the selfless deeds you have done to people throughout the week. Make a monthly and yearly evaluation as well at the end of the year.

Author: Mark Alex   

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