Heart of the Matter

The object of this study is to take some time out of our busy, often chaotic days and spend some time with women who have gone before us. Not just any women, but 26 women of the Bible. We’ll “Walk Among Them” and see how their stories relate to our lives. It’s my hope that we will discover God’s presence and grace in our own lives as the lives and lessons of these women unfold before us this year.

Her name means friendship and she demonstrates so well the Biblical character traits of generosity, faithful friendship and loyalty as she moves through the challenges of life. She is no stranger to sorrow. In fact she knows it well, through the loss of her husband, her home and her family, sorrow and sadness meet her. Through these losses however, she discovers a faithful God who Himself is generous and loyal to His children. He ultimately provides for her and her family in ways she likely cannot imagine on her own. She is Ruth. She is mentioned again in the New Testament in the genealogy of Jesus, demonstrating again the faithfulness of God. Join me as we Walk awhile Among Her to reflect on the lessons of faith, love, friendship and loyalty that Ruth displays.

Begin this study by reading the Book of Ruth in it’s entirely in the translation of your choice.

One of the reasons Ruth resonates so well with us is the perhaps the way it reads. In the Old Testament the Book of Ruth takes on a refreshing story like tone. The Biblical Book tells the story of Ruth, a Moabite, who marries the son of a Hebrew man, Mahlon. When her husband dies, she finds herself at a crossroads. Naomi, her mother in law’s husband, Elimelech, has also died. Naomi finds herself without heirs in the land they are living and she decides to return to her homeland. The Israelite people would not likely welcome citizens of Moab, such as Ruth. Naomi understands the situation and urges her daughter in laws, (Orpah is the other daughter in law, married to the other son who too has passed away) to:

“Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands? Return home, my daughters: I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me – even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to two sons – would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord’s hand has gone out against me.” (Ruth 1:8 -13 NIV)

The daughters in law face a choice. They can remain with Naomi and return to Bethlehem, or return to their own homes and to their families. Logically, Naomi offers them a way out. She recognizes that staying with her offers them no hope of ever having children; she is brave to suggest that they leave her. Orpah chooses that route. Both women (Orpah and Ruth) understand clearly that they will not be welcome in Naomi’s land; to follow her meant that she would live as an outcast with little possibility of remarriage. Ruth believes in Naomi’s God. She believes in the one, true God and she agrees to make the journey with Naomi, despite its obstacles, including the fact that Naomi struggles with bitterness after the death of her husband and two sons. Ruth cannot leave her and her loyalty is an example to each of us.

Naomi continues to urge Ruth to go with her sister in law, and Ruth replies in one of Scriptures most beautiful verses:

“Entreat me not to leave you or turn back from following after you; for wherever you go I will go, and wherever you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God, my God.” (Ruth 1:15-17)

Ruth was confident that God would provide and see them through these trying days; she was in no way going to leave Naomi’s side.

When they arrive in Bethlehem, they find that the Mosaic Law provided for those who were poor or alien in Israel. (Leviticus 19:9, 23:22 and Deuteronomy 23:3 – 6) This law instructed that rather than picking the field clean, some of the harvest be left behind for the poor. The system was a way to ensure that the poor and needy would be cared for. Ruth begins to “glean” the harvest of Boaz. She is picking up leftover harvest grain to store so that she and Naomi will have food through the winter. Both Ruth and Naomi are resourceful and adaptive to the situation they face. Now Boaz is a near kinsman to Naomi. One amazing detail here is that Boaz’s mother is Rahab, the prostitute who was converted at Jericho. This is perhaps why he is accepting to someone from the outside, his own heritage helps him overcome any prejudices that many others in the city would have had.

Boaz appears to be a great catch. He is wealthy, single and childless. As he goes to great lengths to help Ruth he seems to be smitten with her making sure that she has enough grain, something he did not have to do. At this time in Jewish history, a go’el was the nearest kin and Boaz was not the nearest kinsman of Naomi. Boaz was not obligated to take Ruth as his wife, but he became interested in her and her in him and as divine providence would have it, he “redeems” her and they are able to marry. And as only God could do, Ruth becomes the great grandmother of King David, through the child Obed that she and Boaz have.

‘So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When they came together, the Lord made her conceive, and she bore a son. Then the women said to Naomi “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without next of kin. May his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and nourishment for your old age. For your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has borne him”. Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her bosom, and became his nurse.’ (Read Ruth 4:1 -22)

Ruth found herself in those fields of Boaz because God ordained it. God orchestrated it for His glory. He allowed the death of Elimalech and his sons and then MOVED in mighty ways to bring about His perfect plan, ultimately leading to the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Confirmation again that our God is NOT haphazard in how He moves….amazing, awesome God!

With each woman that we study, I’ll have some thoughts and ideas for reflection, meditation and journaling that will be called “Reflections from the Walk.” It’s in Walking Among Them that we can learn lessons that we can take with us on our daily walks.

Reflections from the walk:

1. Ruth becomes a loyal friend to an unlikely woman, her mother in law, Naomi. She proves her loyalty to her and her family name. Spend some time thinking of your relationships, with your mother in law and other friends in your life. Would others say that loyalty is a trait that you possess? Is loyalty a trait that is important to you?

2. Examine Ruth’s blessing to Naomi on the road to Bethlehem;

“Where you go I will go and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God will be my God.” (Ruth 1:16)

This becomes a blessing beyond imagination in her own life. God is in the business of blessing in abundance! Look back on your own life and think of times that you have been a blessing. Are there times when you could have been a greater blessing?

3. Why do we often resist blessing others? (In Ruth’s case, the choice to bless Naomi was not an easy one, and many of us would have chosen the course that Orpah chose.) Did you resist blessing another because it was inconvenient? Not enough time? What excuses do you find yourself making in regards to blessing others?

What if we “planned” our blessings to others, the way we plan our grocery list or weekly menu? Plan to commit 1 percent of your week to blessing others. Your “blessing tithe” would average out to less than 2 hours a week. This could be done in a phone call to someone that you’ve been “meaning to call,” a note to a friend or relative that has been going through a difficult time, or baking cookies for a neighbor. This blessing need not be expensive, but rather a blessing from your heart.

4. Memorize Proverbs 11:25 and Ruth 1:16

“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”

With the memorization of this Scripture ask the Lord to gently remind you when you are resisting being a blessing. Ask Him to help you to notice opportunities to “refresh others” in word and deed.

5. Examine your relationship with your own mother in law. This can be a challenging relationship for many women for a number of reasons. Journal your heart to God about this relationship and ask him to give you a heart like Ruth. While the relationship may never reach the fulfillment that Ruth and Naomi attained, pray for God to guide, nurture and even heal these relationships. Ask Him to help you lay aside selfish ways and pray for a heart of forgiveness and peace in regard to your mother in law relationship.

6. Do you ever doubt that God is busy orchestrating and scripting the events in your life? It’s easy to wonder just where God is or to chalk things up to coincidence. Spend some time praying or journaling about God’s great and perfect plan and your willingness to submit to God’s plan as Ruth was able to do. If you can find a copy of Glen Burleigh’s, “Order My Steps” listen to it and meditate on the words.

7. The Law of Moses instructed that some of the harvest be left as a way to assist the poor. What ways do you spend time serving the poor and needy? Honestly evaluate your life and if you need to engage on a more personal level serving the poor by helping those in need. Reflect on your own spirit of compassion for others and think of creative ways to serve the needs of the “poor” around you.

8. Examine what it means to be a “virtuous woman.” It’s a phrase used only twice in Scripture. Once in Ruth (3:11) and once in Proverbs 31:10. Spend some time praying and reading on what a “virtuous” woman is and how you can become a more “virtuous” woman. We know that a “virtuous woman” is honored by her husband, children and community.

Reflect on the virtues that we learn from Ruth that can help us on our walk to becoming a “Virtuous woman”:

Loyalty

Generosity

Faith

Diligent worker

Compassion

Resourcefulness

Perseverance

Walking with Ruth presents us with much to reflect on. She is an example in many ways. Her story is again in many ways, our story. Her challenges are not foreign to us, nor is her loyalty to those she loves. Ruth inspires us to rely on God, knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that He is in control of our lives and if we allow Him to move freely in our lives, He will bring glory to His name, through us. Just as He was faithful to Ruth, we can confidently know that He will be faithful to us.

A PDF download of this study can be found and printed HERE

Join me on our next walk, where we’ll walk with Abigail.

Lori is a 5 year homeschool mom to 3. Currently a 8th grader, a 6th grader and a 4th grader. Lori insists that when she was wrestling with the decision to home school, a gentle voice guided her with the words, “you know what you should do.” Never looking back, accepting the challenges and rewards and CONSTANTLY clinging to THE ROCK…”No Storm can shake my inmost calm when to this ROCK I’m clinging.” Lori hopes to impart peace and inspiration amidst the daily chaos. Be sure to visit her blog at All You Have to Give.