HUMBLE AND INDUSTRIOUS

PROCLAMATION

“And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, ‘Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace.  And she said unto her, ‘Go, my daughter.’  And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers …”  Ruth 2:2-3 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

The Bible Book of Ruth was written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Prophet Samuel.  After leaving Moab, Naomi and Ruth arrived in Bethlehem just as the harvest was beginning. (Ruth 1:22)  As two women alone, they had no means of support.  They were so poor that Naomi told those who knew her to call her Mara because The Lord God had made her life very bitter. (Ruth 1:20-21)  But Ruth did not just sit by, she humbled herself and went into the fields, and followed the harvesters, and gathered the grain which they dropped or missed. (Ruth 2:2-3)  She worked in the fields from morning until evening, then she threshed the grains she had gathered, and returned to Naomi and shared it with her. (Ruth 2:17-18)  She told Naomi about her meeting with Boaz, the owner of the field, and the kindness that he showed to her. (Ruth 2:19-22)  Ruth continued to glean the fields until the harvests were finished. (Ruth 2:23)

 

APPLICATION

Bad things can happen to good people, but that does not have to get them down.  Naomi seemed to be a little bit depressed by her situation but Ruth remained positive. Ruth humbled herself and got busy doing something that she would not normally do.  We should do likewise.  Whatever the current situation we are in, which is beyond our control, we can choose how we respond to it.  We may have to do some things that we would not ordinarily do, but we do not have sit by idly and complain.  All things happen for a reason, they may be a blessing or a test.  Whatever it is that occurs, all things work together for the good of them that love The Lord. (Romans 8:28)

COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION

PROCLAMATION

“And Ruth said, ‘Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following 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, I will 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 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

This Bible Book of Ruth was written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Prophet Samuel.  The first chapter begins with the account of Elimelek, a man from Bethlehem in Judah, who went to Moab with his wife Naomi and his two sons because of the famine in his homeland. (Ruth 1:1-2)  While there both of his sons married Moabite women.  After living there for ten years, Elimelek and both of his sons died leaving Naomi alone with the wives of her sons, Orpah and Ruth. (Ruth 1:3-5)  Naomi told both daughters-in-law to return to their home and families, and maybe they would find a new husband.  They cried and then Orpah kissed Naomi and said goodbye, but Ruth clung to her and would not leave. (Ruth 1:6-14)  Naomi urged Ruth to also return to her home but she was determined to stay with her until death parted them.  She was so insistent and her commitment was so strong that Naomi stopped urging Ruth to leave. (Ruth 1:15-18)  Then the two women left Moab and journeyed to Bethlehem where Naomi was well known. (Ruth 1:19-22)

 

APPLICATION

This is an example of true repentance, real dedication, and absolute commitment.  This demonstrates a steadfast determination of Ruth to stay with Naomi until her death.   Modern marriage partners should have this level of commitment to each other.  Marriage vows should be as strong as this.  Ruth did not marry Naomi but her commitment to stay with her until death separated them is as strong as a marriage vow.  Unfortunately today too many of our personal relationships are only temporary and fleeting.  People will tell you that they will be with you “through thick and thin” only to leave you “high and dry” when the going gets difficult and you really need them.  Let us make “Ruth type” commitments to our loved ones.

RECEIVING THAT WHICH WAS PRAYED FOR

Proclamation:

“Early the next morning they arose and worshiped The Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah.  Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and The Lord remembered her.  So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son.  She named him Samuel, saying, ‘Because I asked The Lord for him.’”  1 Samuel 1:19-20 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the prophet Samuel.  The Book begins with an account of his parents, Elkanah his father and Hannah his mother who year after year had no children. (1 Samuel 1:1-2)  Elkanah had two wives but he loved Hannah and would always give her a double portion of whatever he gave his wife, Peninnah, and his sons. (1 Samuel 1:4-5)  Peninnah would ridicule Hannah year after year because she was barren and Hannah would become upset. (1 Samuel 1:6-10)  Hannah went to the temple and prayed silently while she was weeping.  The priest, Eli, saw her and thought that she was drunk because her lips were moving but she was not speaking. (1 Samuel 1:9-17)  The Lord God heard Hannah and answered her prayer and gave her a son.

Application:

There are times when we are going through periods of anguish, frustration, despair, sorrow, or suffering that we pray and ask The Lord God for something, and we promise Him that we will change our behavior if He will bless us with that which we asked for.  All too often, however, He blesses us and we fail to keep our promise to Him.  Here is an example of a woman who prayed during her period of distress and kept her promise when The Lord blessed her, even though keeping her promise meant giving up her son.  We should not take lightly promises that we make to God.  We should not only be careful what we ask The Lord God for, we should also be careful regarding what we promise Him.  He will keep all of His promises to us. (2 Peter 3:9)  We need to do a better job of keeping our promises to Him.  When we pray for things that will give God glory our prayers will be answered. (John 14:13-14 and 16:26)  Let us be grateful and honor our commitment to Him.

A VOW OF LOVE COMMITMENT AND DEVOTION

Proclamation:

“But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you.  Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay.  Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die and there will I be buried …’”  Ruth 1:16-17 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by an unknown human author, but some credit it to Samuel because of the timing when the judges ruled Israel.  Ruth, the daughter-in-law of Naomi, demonstrates an excellent example of love, commitment, and devotion to her mother-in-law.  After her father-in-law and her husband died, Ruth would not leave her mother-in-law’s side and vowed to stay with, even after death.  Ruth was a Moabite and her people worshiped idol gods, (Ruth 1:15) but thanks to Naomi and her son, Ruth was exposed to The Lord God and was converted.

Application:

People often say the words, “I love you” but their actions are not always consistent with their words.  Ruth, the great, great grandmother of David, demonstrated her love for her mother-in-law by vowing never to leave her.  She even vowed to be near her in death by being buried where she is buried.  In this life, very few people will go with us wherever we go.  Some people will go as far as to become extended family members and our people will become their people.  However, most people will not go as far as to change their religious beliefs and worship The Lord God with us.  In marriage the two people are to become as one person. (Ephesians 5:31)  There is rarely this level of commitment in any other relationship.  Parents are willing to die for their children, and some children are willing to die for their parents, but they do not go with them everywhere they go.  When we make a commitment to love The Lord God, nothing in the world, or in our lives, should be more important to us than Him.  He will never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)  Nothing can separate us from the love of God. (Romans 8:35 and 8:39)

TRUE LOYALTY AND COMMITMENT

Proclamation:

" 'Look,' said Naomi, 'your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods.  Go back with her.'  But Ruth replied, 'Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you.  Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay.  Your people will be my people and your God my God.  Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried.  May The Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.' " Ruth 1:14-17 (NIV)

Explanation:

The human author of The Bible Book of Ruth is generally agreed upon to be Samuel, although there are a number of Bible scholars who attribute authorship to a number of others.  Ruth, the Moabitess, is the principal character in The Book but she is not the author.  She provides an example of Christian character and behavior, and loyalty and commitment.  Ruth is one of the few women to be mentioned by name in the genealogy of Jesus, The Christ. (Matthew 1:5)  Orpah and Ruth had married Naomi's sons.  After the death of her husband and her two sons, Naomi urged her daughter-in-laws to return to their people and remarry.  Orpah did but Ruth refused to leave Naomi and went with her from Moab to Bethlehem.

Application:

Ruth was a virtuous woman whose loyalty and commitment to her mother-in-law are now legendary.  Her hallmark expression is often repeated in wedding vows even today. (Ruth 1:16)  This level of loyalty and commitment is rare these days but this is how Christians should feel towards Jesus Christ.  Once we come to Christ we should never leave Him, or turn our back on Him, or even look back longingly at our previous life. (Luke 9:62)  No one should ever be able to talk us into forsaking Him.  He will never leave us or forsake us and nothing should separate us from Him or come between us. (Romans 8:39)  We should go wherever He leads us and His people should be our family. (John 1:12 and Galatians 4:6)  If we truly feel that way about Jesus, then we can say that we love The Lord.  However, if we express our loyalty to The Lord, then we should expect that the devil will test our commitment.  Those of us who pass that will be blessed. (James 1:12)

True Loyalty And Commitment

" 'Look,' said Naomi, 'your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.' But Ruth replied, 'Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May The Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.' " Ruth 1:14-17 (NIV)

Orpah and Ruth had married Naomi's sons. After the death of her husband and her two sons, Naomi urged her daughter-in-laws to return to their people and remarry. Orpah did but Ruth refused to leave Naomi and went with her from Moab to Bethlehem.

Ruth was a virtuous woman whose loyalty and commitment to her mother-in-law are now legendary. Her hallmark expression is now often repeated in wedding vows even today. This level of loyalty and commitment is rare these days but this is how Christians should feel towards Jesus Christ. We should never leave Him or turn our back on Him. No one should ever be able to talk us into forsaking Him. Nothing should separate us from Him or come between us. We should go where ever He leads us and His people should be our family. If we feel that way about Jesus, then we can truly say that we love The Lord.