Tucked inconspicuously between the Old Testament books of Judges and First Samuel is the short,
precious book of Ruth. Consisting of only four chapters, it’s easy to miss if we’re not paying
attention. Sometimes it is passed over rapidly as an interesting side story, or an incidental which
can be studied some other time. It concerns some events occurring during a confused and sinful
period of Israel’s history, which may seem distant and irrelevant to us in our Bible study. But
revealed within this tiny treasure are some beautiful lessons which reach all the way to our lives
today—if we let them.
1. For example, in the book of Ruth we see a true-life demonstration of real love and
loyalty. Displaced by a severe famine in the land, Naomi and her husband travel to the land of
Moab to find relief. But they’re Naomi’s husband, dies, as well as her two sons, and she finds
herself left only with her two foreign daughters in law, Orpah and Ruth. When the famine subsides
and Naomi prepares to return home, they determine to travel with her. Naomi graciously
encourages them to remain in their homeland, leaving her alone to her bitter return. But Ruth
simply refuses to leave Naomi, and utters these beautiful words which have been recited in
countless weddings down through the centuries: “Entreat me not to leave thee, and 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; where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be
buried: Jehovah do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me,” (Ruth 1:16-17).
What a fundamental yet revolutionary statement of family love and unity. If these sentiments were
only adopted in more homes today!
2. The story of Ruth also reveals how God so lovingly and beautifully works behind the
scenes in daily life. Ruth went into the harvest field, humbly, trusting the Lord’s providence that
she might “find favor” in the eyes of one meant for her, (2:1). When the Bible says, “her hap was
to light on the portion of the field belonging unto Boaz,” something more than mere coincidence
is intended, (2:3). She “happened” to come to that part of the field, (ESV). God was looking out
for Ruth and Naomi. “As it happened,” He was bringing into her life a physical savior. “And,
behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem…,” (2:4). God’s providence makes this a story of physical
redemption: It moves from famine, death, and loss to hope, marriage, and joy, providing a profound
example of recovery.
3. The narrative also shows how humble and trusting people may be used by God to
advance His noble purposes. Ruth (a foreigner), eventually marries Boaz, and is thus brought into
the lineage of King David and Jesus because of her gentle faith and character. When we humbly
allow God to use us, rather than demanding or usurping the role we think we should have, God has
great things in store for us. Ruth proves that humility, hard work, and integrity are valuable, as she
works hard to feed her family, earning her the title “woman of noble character.”
4. This beautiful series of events also demonstrates that no matter how difficult a situation
is, God can work in ways we may not understand at the time to bring about a beautiful,
redeemed future. Naomi and Ruth’s story had gone from a time of deep personal loss and national
moral decay to the promise of a new, hopeful vision. As God had brought into their lives a physical
savior, the record shows how He was actually bringing to mankind a spiritual Savior. “…And Boaz
begat Obed, and Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David” the king, (4:21-22). And 28 generations
later, Jesus Christ would be born of this, same lineage!
The events surrounding the life of Ruth are revealed to us in a short but powerful book of
the Bible. And though this may be only one person, in one small corner of there world, Ruth’s story
is enough to let us understand that God is working similarly in the lives of all His people. These
particular events are revealed and explained to some extent, others are not. But even though there
is no Bible book detailing each of them, we can be sure that God is actively and lovingly working
in the lives of His people all over the world, and down throughout the ages.
The Power of an Invitation Song
I have long been fascinated by invitation songs. There are
