Have you ever been in the position of not knowing where to turn or have anyone to turn to? Has a single woman ever come to you with a problem? Let us briefly reflect on such a situation and touch on the history of Naomi and Ruth. Through this brief study of God's Word perhaps your life may reap the benefit.
Elimelech, which means, "my God is King," along with his wife, Naomi, which means "pleasant," and family left Bethlehem which means "House of bread,' because of the famine during the Medianite oppression. This godly family journeyed to Moab, which means "from a father." The birth of Moab was the product of incest between Lot and his oldest daughter (Genesis 19:30-38). Elimelech's godly family was leaving the land of bread and praise for a nation cursed from its birth and marked with sin. Early in their sojourn, Elimelech dies and Naomi and her two sons remained in Moab. Both sons married Moabite women named Ruth and Orpah. These sons, Mahlon (sickly) and Chilion (pining) died so Naomi was left alone without a family or means of support. She had only her two Moabite daughters-in-law who though they loved her, were not Israelites. Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem. The famine has ended, and she learned that there was bread there again.
As Naomi kissed Ruth and Orpah good-bye, Ruth says, "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: 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" (Ruth 1:16-17).
This should be a strong example of how we should not waiver in our stand for Christ today. This was a wonderful testimony to Naomi, though her experiences were bitter. Ruth would be much sweetness to her in return, so that she would reap food from her bad experience after all. Ruth had chosen her path and would not swerve from it. She had found good companionship and would not be separated from it and she had found the true God and would not be turned away from Him. Ruth resolved to live out her life in her new choice and called on the Lord to help her fulfill it.
As Christian women, we need to remember the relationship between Naomi and Ruth. Naomi's life must have been a strong testimony to Ruth. It was such a great influence that Ruth was ready to follow in her footsteps and go and stand anywhere with Naomi. Let us look into the life of Naomi and Ruth. Upon their return to Bethlehem, Naomi is so destitute that she must allow Ruth to go even as a poverty-stricken woman to the fields. Ruth is willing to make this somewhat humiliating yet honest effort in order to get food for the both of them.
Ruth, which means "comeliness," goes to the fields of Boaz, meaning "in him is strength" to glean in the harvest field. Ruth, who having no hope in anyone other than Boaz, goes to the threshing floor, risking everything, believing in his kindness, staking her all on his honor and grace and his power; she comes to him poor and friendless, yet loving the shelter of his name, asking the protection of his arm, seeking the provision which only his love could give, and finding in him more than hope had dared to expect. In this Scripture, Ruth is a type of the Church and Boaz a type of Christ. This is a beautiful reading. Can you see what God has given to us? Are you willing to bow at His feet?
What place as a woman do you stand in today? Are you a Naomi or a Ruth? Are you willing to sacrifice your present lifestyle for the Lord? Are you a good example for your relatives and friends? Would you be willing to give up all you have to follow Christ?
Some of the many good lessons to be taken from Ruth are: (1) one always put one's self in danger by leaving the place where God is worshipped; (2) one may set the example for others to follow in coming to the Lord, but the choice must be by the one for whom it is set; (3) when one has truly accepted the Lord there will be no turning back from the decision; (4) bitter experiences may be sweetened when one returns to the place of the Lord's true worship; (5) the young are well advised to listen to the counsel of godly elders.
This article only gives you a glance at the life of these two women. My advice is to read the book of Ruth in order to understand how deeply God loves His church. Are you living your life for Him?
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