Ruth is a Moabite woman. She is of the people Israel was told to wipe out so that their false gods would not lead the followers of Yahweh astray. And yet, when she chooses to come with Naomi back to Bethlehem she is welcomed into the tribe of Judah. This is our first significant lesson for today.
- A foreigner from any other faith is welcomed into the family of God once they choose to follow Yahweh. “Boaz replied, ‘I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.’”
Ruth has come to take refuge under the wings of the LORD. She has known little of the way of God, but because she has chosen to follow Him, she is welcomed into the family of God.
The second significant lesson is this:
- We can grow in our faith when in community with other believers and following the directions of the Bible. Hebrews 10:24,25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Ruth grows in her faith by trusting Naomi. When she is told to go and glean from the harvest field, she obeys. When Boaz gives her directions to stay in his field for her safety, she obeys. And when customs and decisions were foreign to how things were done in Moab, she again, obeys. In Leviticus 23:22 there was a directive meant to take care of the poor. When fields were harvested, only one pass was to be taken. Any grain or sheaves that fell on the ground were not to be picked up but were to be left for the poor and hungry who would come behind and glean the scraps. There were also directives in the OT meant to take care of widows and orphans. Although she would not have known all of these, Ruth benefited from the laws and regulations simply because she trusted those who did know and were following God. You see, it was good for Ruth and Naomi to be surrounded by their community of faith believers. They didn’t do very well on their own in Moab, and upon returning still were not very hopeful (Naomi asked her friends to call her ‘bitter’ and not Naomi.) But once they returned into the fellowship of their fellow Israelites, it was different. We, too, need the fellowship of a body of believers. None of us was meant to make it through this life alone. It is as we fellowship with others in our church that we have encouragement and spur one another on to love and good deeds. The command to go to church (do not give up meeting together) is for our own good.
And our third significant lesson is:
- The gospel message is meant not just for the Jews but for ALL. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jews, then to the Gentiles. (Romans 1:16)
God clearly shows through putting Ruth in the direct line of the Messiah that the Gospel message is for all. Ruth used to be a Moabite. She wasn’t born into the family of Israel but rather was ‘grafted’ in through her faith in Yahweh. God chooses to have the Messiah come from her line and in fact, mentions her in the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
Once again, it is never too late to choose to follow the one true God. It is never too late to stop, make a decision and leave the past behind. God is more concerned with where you will be tomorrow than He is with where you were yesterday.
If He welcomes a woman who is a Moabite, one who has worshipped idols and comes to Him on very limited knowledge and a simple profession of faith, if He takes this same woman and makes her great-grandmother to King David and has her in the line of Christ, do you not think that He might also welcome you? I know He will, for He says, The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
Today is the day to choose to be a Ruth. Today is the day to turn your back on the things that are leading you astray and say, “I choose to follow Yahweh.” Today is the day to take refuge under His wings and in the community of fellow believers. For all are welcome.
Our song for today is How Deep the Father’s Love for Us by Selah.