Imagine you are the person in this true story found in Ruth 1-4:
You're young and widowed.
You can return to your family and the familiarity of your childhood.
Or you can go to your mother-in-law's hometown where you'll be a stranger and a foreigner. And some people will be prejudiced against you because of your ethnic background.*
Your mother-in-law strongly urges you to stay with your family and return to your pagan gods. But you vow to never abandon her or the true and living God.
When you arrive in her hometown, she complains bitterly to everyone, saying nothing about your love and sacrifices for her. Nevertheless, you immediately start looking for a way to support her, and you take on humble, back-breaking work in the hot sun. When she recommends that you marry an older man whom you don't know, you agree.
It's so easy to read Bible stories and forget they record events in the lives of real people like you and me. Ruth had human feelings, questions, and challenges. But she is an example of faith, humility, and forbearance—an example of Christ's sacrificial love for us (Philippians 2:1-11).
"Whoever loses their life" for Christ's sake will find it and "those who humble themselves will be exalted" (Matthew 16:25; Matthew 23:12).
God rewarded Ruth, inspiring an Old Testament book about her life and placing her in the bloodline of Christ (Matthew 1)!
How does Ruth's humble faith speak to you and your circumstances?
Consider using Ruth's life as a subject for your small group Bible study using these materials:
Or you can take a quick look at the story of Ruth by doing this Bite Size Bible Study: 5 Important Truths from the Life of Ruth.
* Why was there prejudice toward Ruth? To better understand the reasons for this prejudice, read Deuteronomy 23:3-4 and see the fuller explanation in the Bite Size Bible Study 5 Important Truths from Ruth's Life. The Bite Size study also explains why the godly Boaz would marry a Moabite.
I encourage you to check out the Wisdom for Life Devotional. It contains 100 one-minute devotions to challenge, encourage, instruct, and inspire your love for God's Word: Wisdom for Life. Read the story behind Wisdom for Life HERE. Find out about the two free Bible studies with purchase HERE. You can read the first four devotions in the book by clicking "look inside" on Lifeway or Amazon.
I also encourage you to sign up for a free subscription to Bible Love Notes and get a free e-booklet. Find out more HERE.
BLN
There appears to be no ethnic prejudice against Ruth. She was probably a descendant of Moab, an incestuous son of Lot, Abraham's nephew; hence, a distant cousin.
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous,
DeleteIn these ancient times (as is true today), distant relatives are not necessarily respected. In Numbers and Deuteronomy God rebukes the Moabites for idolatry and sexual immorality and warns Israel not to marry a Moabite or accept their pagan practices. God also cursed the Moabites for their mistreatment of the Israelites in Deuteronomy 23:3-4.
I've added this info to the devotion in case anyone else is confused about this point. Thanks for helping me see that there might be misunderstandings in that area. God bless.
Hi Gail. Just finished Ruth with my Bible study. Loved this book. It also showed to me that God was aligning the blood line of Jesus with ALL nations. "Not by blood, but by Faith". God's way of reaching everyone. I also liked the way God set up the perfect welfare system.
ReplyDeleteOn a lighter note note, check out Alistair Begg"s u tube book "I Love Ruthie"