© 06 Colin Melbourne
The brief and beautiful narrative of the Book of Ruth, in the Holy Bible, is an illustration of God’s perfect love, and what He will do for the helpless and hopeless when they wholeheartedly turn to Him.
Wise Beyond Her Years
Ruth is one of the few biblical characters who made life-changing choices in the midst of severe trials, and got it right each time. We can learn a great deal from this young woman’s example.
Read the Holy Spirit’s four page summary of her epic journey from Moab, Israel’s sworn enemies, through tragedy, death, and despair; to be engrafted into the lineage that led directly to The Messiah: The LORD Jesus Christ.
You will see yourself reflected in the characters of Ruth’s story, and perhaps also a glimpse of your new life in Christ.
Repent or Perish
First notice the folly of Naomi’s husband, Elimelech. They dwelt in Bethlehem, the heart of Israel, a mere three or four generations after Joshua’s miraculous crossing of the Jordan. (250 years according to James Ussher’s chronology.)
It was The Promised Land, flowing with milk and honey. But the bounty dried up because Israel lost faith in God’s Promises. A terrible famine came on the nation.
Instead of repenting and getting right with God, this foolish man decided to run away, taking his wife and sons to enemy territory in search of food.
Moabites and Israel were mortal foes who hated and habitually butchered each other.
Satan was waiting, and fed Elimelech just enough to keep him far from God.
And then killed him.
Like Father: Like Sons
His grieving widow, Naomi, struggled to raise her two sons in a nation famed for demon worship, and seductive women. (Num. Ch.25)
Mahlon and Kilion were as unfaithful and rebellious as their father. No doubt they revelled in the flesh-pots of Moab. Both married and died in their youth, leaving teenage widows with no heirs. That was the end of the family tree: It was but a dead stump. A serious indictment on a Jewish name.
Poor Naomi was crushed in spirit, she’d lost everything: husband, children, belongings, her dignity, and heritage: Satan stole it all in ten brief years from Bethlehem.
As most sinners do, Naomi blamed God.
You won’t will you? He’s not responsible for the mess people make. He’s promised countless blessings for obedience (De. Ch.28), when we ignore them we pay the price. That’s our fault, not His.
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Jn. 10:10 KJV
Ruth’s Choice: Inseparable Love
Naomi heard there was bread in Israel, turned around, and took the first step back to where she belonged.
Genuine repentance always results in immediate blessing.
She tried to convince her Moabite daughters-in-law they’d be better off in their own country; one of them agreed and left.
The other was a more noble character.
Despite having experienced an accursed life with Naomi, Ruth was drawn to the God of Israel. His Spirit was making her into an example for you and me. Instead of fear and loathing, He filled her with compassion for the heartbroken woman.
That was the love of God, it had to be, because Jewish widows rarely suffer in silence. Naomi was bitter, with plenty to moan and groan about.
Ruth was steadfast.
When confronted with the most important decision of her life, Ruth shrugged off her Mother-in-law’s advice, fixed her eyes on Eternity, and made this immortal commitment, Ru. 1:16-17 KJV;
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.
Plenty of romantics make similar promises based on human love, and they always fail: Only God’s love never fails.
Ruth’s reply was established on perfect love, and caused angels to rejoice. Heaven knew she really meant it.
When the Last Trumpet sounds their grave will open in Bethlehem, the dead in Christ will arise, and awe-struck Naomi will once again look Ruth in the eyes: And see the Love of God.
Love never fails. Never.
The Messiah’s Choice: Ruth
No-one who saw them come home would pick her as material for the Messiah’s line. Shrouded, grubby, emaciated, and downcast, Ruth displayed immense courage to support Naomi and dare set foot in Israel.
She didn’t know it, but God was counting on her walking in His love. Just as He’s counting on you.
Ruth was true to her word, and God blessed her above all the women in dusty Bethlehem.
Naomi, prematurely grey and aged, was welcomed back, but her neighbours cast suspicious glances at the small figure bowed behind.
‘Who’s that?’
Naomi spoke up for Ruth, and the alien was begrudgingly accepted.
The family fields were weeds and stones so Ruth woke early and scavenged for gleanings of barley behind the harvesters.
She squatted in the hot September sun collecting barley seeds with her fingertips. One here, four there, and put them into her shawl. By evening she had gathered an ephah, about four buckets full. When de-husked and ground it produced flour sufficient for three weeks bread to nourish the heartbroken widows.
Naomi was impressed, but they spoke little during that first simple meal back in Bethlehem. Naomi stared at the glowing embers, Ruth pondered the name written in Hebrew on the wall.
A child’s hand had scratched, Mahlon
A Marriage Made in Heaven
But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Eph. 2:13 KJV
Read how the Lord arranged the meeting and marriage of the humble outsider to a blood relative called Boaz.
Keep in mind that Boaz is a ‘type’ of Christ your Kinsman Redeemer. And that Ruth is a ‘type’ of the Church in general, and you in particular.
Boaz redeemed Ruth, the destitute foreigner, with silver and gold: Christ redeemed bankrupt sinners with His LifeBlood.
Naomi and Ruth’s nearest relative refused to redeem them, he was afraid it would jeopardise his estate. But another Kinsman willingly gave all He had to redeem you.
Their story is a subtle unfolding of God’s heart, packed with rich textures, poignancy, and ultimately joy. Read it prayerfully and God will give you fresh insights into His Perfect Love.
To be an effective Christian you need more than love. Let England’s greatest evangelist teach you what real Bible faith is: Smith Wigglesworth on Faith
Perhaps, like Naomi, you once dwelt under God’s Hand, but chose to rebel and are paying the price for your sin.
Do what she did, repent and obey the one you call Lord. He still loves you perfectly.
If, like Ruth you are unsaved, an alien sinner, dare to approach the God of Israel seeking to settle in His Promised Land.
Be willing to give up all you have to be counted amongst God’s people, and you will discover He has opened wide the door to every outcast.
Follow Ruth’s example, humble yourself, and lie at the feet of your Kinsman Redeemer who paid the full price to have you as His Bride.
Nobody else wants you with the Perfect Love of Christ.
Dare to ask Him to take you as His own, and cover you with His robe of righteousness.
He wants you more than life, and proved it on the cross.
You will bear His Name, not only for a lifetime, but for eternity. He will give you His Seed to sow, His food to eat, and provide for you always.
In return, He simply asks for one thing;
Your Perfect Love.
He’s waiting for you with open arms
Chick Tract based on Ruth© 06 Colin Melbourne
Tract image © Chick Publns. Used by permission.
