Ruth 1-4

The book of Ruth in the Bible is only 4 chapters long, but it is packed with great faith lessons! 

Reading through the book, it resembles a plot-twist filled movie. It’s the type of story that you think you know the ending, but suddenly, the story takes a turn and you are surprised by what is happening.

Ruth starts out in the city of Bethlehem in Judah. This setting is important, because it’s where God’s people, Israel, live. It’s the land that God has given them through battles, perseverance and trusting in Him. In the beginning of the story, we see a family leave this land and go to a city that wasn’t so faith-friendly. This city is called Moab. 

At first glance, this doesn’t seem like a big deal. There’s a famine in the land, so it’s logical to move to a place where you can find food and water. The Dad (Elimilek), Mom (Naomi) and their two sons go here to start a new life. 

This family lived in Moab for about a decade. The sons got married and everyone settled in. Just as life was going smoothly… BAM! The next thing we know, Naomi’s husband and two sons die. This is a tragic plot twist.

Have you ever experienced a plot twist in your own life - a moment that you didn’t see coming? How did you feel when it happened? What was your reaction?

After the death of her husband and sons, Naomi informs her daughters-in-law that she is going back to the land she came from. Ruth did not abandon Naomi. Even though she had no obligation go with her, Ruth followed her mother-in-law to Bethlehem. She showed love, kindness, and devotion towards Naomi. She even made a public profession of faith on their journey that Naomi’s God would be her God. 

When they entered the city, people saw and wondered what happened to their family. Naomi made it very clear that she was frustrated with God about what had happened in her life, even blaming Him for what happened. 

Is there a time in your life that you blamed God or got mad at him for what happened to you?

If you recall the beginning of the story, it was Naomi and her family that walked away from the land and provision that God had given them: away from the people of God and away from the place of God’s presence.

Isn’t that true of us today too? How many times have we walked off the path that God has for our lives, or gone our own way? How many times have we sinned and sinned and sinned again? 

It wouldn’t be a “good” story if it didn’t involve a love scene and another turn. After Naomi and Ruth settle in to Bethlehem, Ruth started working the fields and met a man named Boaz. In the end, Boaz married Ruth and bought the family property giving money to provide food for Naomi. God had a plan all along even though it wasn’t always obvious.

Want to know one of the coolest parts of God’s plan in this story? Ruth and Boaz’ son would become the grandfather to David, the famous king of the old testament.  Kind David is the one from who’s lineage Jesus would come from! There’s no way Naomi and Ruth could have predicted that their family line and legacy would now be connected to the Savior of the world.

God knew. He has a plan and his plan began from the very beginning when he told Eve that her offspring would crush the head of the snake. And God’s plan for salvation and redemption remains true today, even when we make mistakes and go our own direction along the way. 

As for the conclusion of Ruth’s story? We don’t know the exact how her life ends but we do know that through Jesus’ perfect sacrifice, our life story is connected to hers.