Ruths story is ordinary. This short by fascinating book tells the story of a woman, who comes to Israel with her mother-in-law, after the deaths of both of their husbands. We just talked about some of the qualities of Boaz that makes him a great biblical example of the kind of man to date and marry. Open your Safari menu and tap "Add to Home Screen". She might have been married before but now she was practically starting her life over. 1. However, if we look forward and allow our compassion for one another fuel our outlook then we will see how love can flourish. Naomi's husband died, and her sons married Moabite women. Boaz is presented as a "man of character" ( Ruth 2:1 ). In case you have been frustrated and despondent with finding your Boaz, know that God is interested in giving you the companionship you desire. The funny thing is, she was just minding her own business not realizing that she was being watched. Read Ruth 1. Do you have a mentor? She lost her husband and her two sons. The first concerns the happy accident of Ruth's A man named Elimelech, from Bethlehem-Judah, left his hometown when a famine struck. The past is the past. 6 Relationship Lessons from the Book of Ruth There are many things married and single people can learn about in the Book of Ruth. Whether youre dating or married, your man is flesh and bones. The men leave three grieving widows behind. Looking at the bigger picture of the Book of Ruth its evident now to see how the famine, Naomis relocation to Moab, the return to Bethlehem, Boazs blood line, and several other events had a hand in the overall plan for Ruths life. She made a choice to stay with Naomi and help her, all the while knowing that she was going to a country that wouldnt like her very much. Related: How to Choose Faith . She was freshly widowed and scrounging for food. She admitted that she felt that God had dealt with her bitterly. Ruth lived out her name for sure. Ruth was a model of responsible living in an irresponsible age. Thankfully, she had Naomi to help. Lesson 3 - Working Isn't A Lack Of Blessing. As much as is possible, try to get to know your significant other through the people he or she interacts with outside of your presence. One of the most important Naomi and Ruth relationship principles is to trust God. 6: God redeems us from our hopeless situation The story of Boaz and Ruth has a lot of symbolism for us to take note of. The truth is that this other kinsman should have already come forward to claim Ruth and help to get settled. The reality that Ruth experiences is relatable to couples in love today. There is Always Hope. They choose to stay together and forge a union. Just ensure that like Ruth, you are showing up in faith and doing your work with excellence. The title of kinsman had heavy responsibility. But, according to the practices of the time, Boaz was free to take another wife, especially since he was a kinsman. Grief and sorrow do not trump love. Ruth is an interesting Biblical story because it contains no miracles or prophecies. Naomi told the women, Go back home. She wasnt expecting this level of kindness and she that as a stranger this was very much out of the ordinary. We cannot say for sure how old either of them were but there was a notable age difference. But he didnt do that. Instead couples should have equal say on what happens within a relationship and each voice should hold the same value. Look out for a man who is willing to wait for you without pressure. For example, both belong to the same sex but from different . One day you will find your true love and all of the obstacles that you had to overcome will provide you with the strength for that love to withstand the test of time. Having touched God's heart, she also touched the heart of one of God's champion followers Boaz. Naomi decided to move back to Bethlehem to be near family. Book of Ruth: 30 Day reading plan for kids; Video clip of the Story of Ruth for kids; Ruth gleaning in the field coloring page "Book of Ruth" coloring page; Bible Lesson: Ruth and Boaz (older elementary) God takes care of Ruth & Naomi (preschool lesson) Lesson: Ruth is Faithful (Ruth 1:1-22) Lesson: Ruth Marries Boaz (Ruth 2-4) Hope in Trouble times. 7 Beautiful Ways to a Better Relationship with Your Mother-in-Law. And the story its an important one. The Book of Ruth is a fantastic example that exemplifies the rollercoaster ride that love can take us on. When life brings trouble on us it is not easy to still hope on God for better days but this is exactly what God wants us to do. Id say yes but they were definitely not in her control. Even though Naomi knew that a new marriage for Ruth would change their relationship, she still played an important part in arranging the marriage of Boaz and Ruth. They will not be disgraced in hard times; even in famine they will have more than enough. And thats why when youre dating you should probably spend lots of time outdoors or around other people. I will not talk much about Naomi here as I have dedicated an entire post to her. Boaz saw the beauty in love and accepted Ruth for who she was. Her name might have formed the core of the qualities she possessed. When entering into a relationship, its important that each person understand and respect the other as an equal. Stressful. He also added that she stood out in the community for this quality. Finding someone to spend the rest of your life with is serious business. No machines existed. Whether youre going through a break-up or divorce, there is a reason for all of the pain. In a place where many would have thought shed be ostracized, she found love with a man named Boaz. God be thanked for your love to me. Love was different for all of the women involved Ruth, Orpah and Naomi. But even when her sister-in-law chose to go back, Ruth made a different decision. Through love we learn how to deal with people and how we can become better people within our individual relationships and as an entire society. 4. Ruth laid aside her pain, left her home and family, and turned her face to the future with hope as she journeyed to a new place with her mother-in-law. Their story is found in the Book of Ruth and it not only inspires hope for many, but includes 3 life lessons that can bring us opportunities, help us achieve our goals and live a stable life. Be sure to check out The Story of Naomi in the Bible and lessons you can learn. Moral Lesson 1: The Value Of Making Wise Choices. Naomi even extends thanks and recognition to Ruth for providing her with a beautiful blessing. Her two sons found wives, Ruth and Orpah, but 10 years later, both sons died as well. Rahab was a prostitute whose faith saved her from the crashing walls of Jericho. One day you will find your true love and all of the obstacles that you had to overcome will provide you with the strength for that love to withstand the test of time. Anyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with or without credit. This was a sign of her level of gratitude. The Book of Ruth is literally the Book of Friendship. Introduction. And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman. (Ruth 2:11, Ruth 3:10,11 KJV). Boaz rescued Ruth from the brink of poverty and enslavement like Jesus did for us. Ruth gave up everything in Moab to follow Naomi and the God she barely knew. She was letting him know she was ready for the next stage. Disclosure: This site contains affiliate links which wont change your price. Doing the right thing isnt always easy. While Judges is about breaking covenant and leaving torah, Ruth is about keeping covenant . Naomi therefore had no idea that the hardships she was preparing to endure did not have to be her reality. God had an amazing plan for Ruth. Elimelech had intended to go back home. They confess their undying devotion and love for each other and in a fairytale theyd live happily ever after. Which man is going to ignore a beautiful, well-dressed sweet smelling damsel, especially one who has already caught his attention with her character? But she didnt. So Ruth took on the responsibility of providing for them. Boaz therefore went to a meeting in which he was able to win Ruth from that family member. However, Naomi stayed committed to her daughter-in-law and wanted her to follow the God of Israel. In that society, kinsmen had a duty to make sure that if a relative of theirs died without children, that relatives name would live on. Painful. As the kindness of Boaz increased, Ruth was invited by Boaz to eat at the table he prepared for his workers. No matter what devastating situation comes into play, love will conquer all because it is ultimately what brings people together. 5 Spiritual Lessons from the Book of Ruth. How a Man Should Treat a Woman According to God. Well, there is a lot to be said about her. Relationships today are the exact same! Naomi reminded Ruth that she was free to leave and go back to her family. In the Book of Ruth, both Naomi and Ruth are continuously blown away by others who thank and recognize them for what they did rather than what they may have done incorrectly. It is unlikely that it was written before the time of David (cp. But when God is with you, whatever touches you has Gods permission and in those times, you also have Gods protection and provision. 3: Ruth appeals to Boaz to be the kinsman-redeemer. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It is true that dating can be quite a drama-filled journey. It was all manual labor. The opportunity was there for her to glean. Her best days were not behind. Book of Ruth, Old Testament book belonging to the third section of the biblical canon, known as the Ketuvim, or Writings. Its heart-wrenching to lose a child. Naomi is the one who sets the tone for her relationship with daughter-in-law Ruth. The book of Ruth starts with the life of Naomi. Both Naomi and Ruth experienced a great amount of grief, however both prevail Naomi loses her husband two sons. He was not in Gods will. Sermon by Mr. Ken Frank (dve882). In the moments where life feels like its crushing you, start with a little faith. The second is that he set her up to get more than just what had fallen by the way as the employees worked. Boaz recognized that Ruth was quite vulnerable. Books to Keep You Company When Youre Walking Through Suffering, When All You Want for Christmas is a Baby, When Everything in the World Seems Wrong, Its Worth Keeping House, why God never calls us from something without calling us to something, When Christmas Leaves You Feeling Lost and Disappointed. The book of Ruth is packed with so many lessons about, life, love and faithfulness. This story of Ruth . Ruth was "of the women of Moab" but was genetically linked to Israel through Lot, the nephew of Abraham ( Ruth 1:4; Genesis 11:31; 19:37 ). Your email address will not be published. Naomi hatches a "plan" to join Ruth and Boaz for "good" ( Ruth 2:22 ). Do they stay in the land of their birth where the God of heaven wasnt worshipped? The past is the past. This next characteristic of Ruth in the Bible has to do with who she was at heart. And Boaz did not delay in calling a meeting to secure his rights to marry her. God heard her cries and helped her feel complete again. She was allowed to take from the gathered ones also. They confess their undying devotion and love for each other and in a fairytale theyd live happily ever after. Ignorance isnt always bliss. Its hard to have faith. Even though Ruth wasnt a Jew and was a Moabite, God didnt allow those titles to change His love for Ruth. She had nowhere to go and yearned to feel complete, so she returned to Judah. Naomi organized a plan to let Boaz know that Ruth is open for marriage. Boaz was ready to call Ruth his bride and wife just like Jesus calls us his bride. The story of Naomi in the Bible and lessons we can learn, The story of Rebekah in the Bible meaning, characteristics and lessons learned . Communication is one of the hardest things for human beings to accomplish. When two people fall in love its a beautiful thing. Their relationship offers a beautiful model of a good relationship a stunning look at a blending of lives. Naomi knew this and so she cautioned Ruth to wait until Boazs stomach was full and he was pretty much at rest. Today we consider the third option. Now that we have dealt with what it means to wait for your Boaz, there are some other relationship nuggets buried in the story. Although Boaz was in love with Ruth, he never pushed or pressured her to commit to him. Issues that require mental and emotional effort should probably happen when people are not tired and hungry. But both of them had faith that somehow things would work out. When Boaz is introduced in the story, the first thing he does is to greet his workers and servants. Throughout the Bible, we see previews of Christ. We dont know what happened to Orpah but we know how God showed up for Ruth. Lets face it, no one is perfect! Instead, Boaz brought relief to her life. She had to go gather behind the harvesters in the fields to get a bit of barley so they could survive. Your email address will not be published. When these two women arrive back in Naomis home town, they are destitute, devastated, and broken. But life was actually worst. Life changing conversations should probably happen when both parties are fully present and engaged. Ruth shows pure, boundless love to her mother-in-law. He immediately takes to her and starts to protect her. Owning a field was not easy then. This other characteristic of Ruth in the Bible often goes unnoticed. 51 Best Bible Verses About Relationship With God. Sometimes were afraid that sharing our questions and doubts and disappointments will turn other people away from God, when actually, sharing about our relationship with God openly can bring more intimacy to our relationships and help draw other people to their own faith. If not, you should probably get one. Even when things are hard. The indescribable passion and struggles that accompany love is displayed in the Book of Ruth and these actions personify our own struggles that we come face-to-face with on a daily basis. Ruth and Naomi Relationship Principle #4 Trust God. Ruth is just a widow one from an enemy nation, at that. The couples two sons both married when they moved to Moab. She had married the son of an Israelite family while they were living in Moab, but at some point her father-in-law, her husband, and her husband's only brother died. While you may be going through pain in your current heartbreak, its important to realize that this is all for a reason. A secret relationship is a red flag. But, that was only half the solution to the problem. Boaz didnt seem to have this concern. She left behind her family to go with Naomi back to Bethlehem. She was the same person wherever she went. God doesnt not discriminate and wants His people to have the same viewpoints and understanding. Its a popular saying: Im waiting for my Boaz. Couples must balance each other and have a forgiving heart. Naomi, later on, lost her husband and she was left with her two sons. Instead, he waited for her to choose him. The story of Ruth and Boaz in the Bible is one of the most romantic in Scripture. And they respond with similar pleasantries. Ruth 1-4 | Lessons 1-12: Getting to Know God Through Old Testament Stories and Genealogies. Her country of origin already made her an outcast, and being a childless widow gave her plenty of reason to shrink back into a shell and simply live her life in obscurity. Its easy to judge others and caste your own beliefs and judgment upon the way theyre living their life; however its important to be able to see both sides of the fence. Even though it may not make complete sense during the time its taking place, its important to recognize how God has and continues to change your life on a daily basis with His actions. He knew this man well enough to know how he would respond to each part of the proposition. Naomi was from Bethlehem and moved to Moab with her husband Elimelek and two sons, Mahlon and Kilion. We all must understand the importance of being thankful and recognizing others that make a difference within our life especially within our relationships. Mrs. Mckinnel would stay at home, while her father was the type of person who saw well in everyone. If we were to explore them all, this post would never end. The saying that there is a light at the end of the tunnel is very true. It is this famine that forces Elimelech to take his wife Naomi and their two sons, Mahlon and Chillion, to leave Bethlehem and live in Moab, a pagan community. The story is a mirror opposite of Israel's depressing journey from triumph to tragedy that is presented in the book of Judges. When were in a relationship, its relatively easy to subconsciously take advantage of your partner because they are with you each day. Clearly, the exalted nation of Israel, God's chosen people, has lost its sense of direction. Everyone experiences grief and sorrow during their lifetime. Ruth's story is celebrated during the Jewish festival of Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks, 50 days after Passover. She was so thankful, especially considering her status of widow which made her automatically become a part of the lowest class in society, right there with beggars, orphans and people with disabilities. 1. He brought something to the table that marched Ruths hardworking and virtuous nature. 6 Naomi was a pious and charitable woman "whose ways were nice and pleasant." 7 Ruth considered her a spiritual guide whose advice . Ruth 1:3: "Now Elimelek, Naomi's husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. Here are four relationship lessons I gleaned from my most recent re-reading of the book of Ruth. Through Naomi, Ruth learned about the God of Israel and chose to put her trust in him. Even though we are basically desolate because of our sinful actions, we will all be forgiven and have the opportunity to make our lives better. The book of Ruth is packed with so many lessons about, life, love and faithfulness. Both Ruth and Naomi mention Boaz as a kinsman. In Hebrew, the word used is goel, which refers to a kinsman who has the right to redeem or a redeemer., Throughout the Bible, we see that same Hebrew word used several times. To some extent, she might be considered naive. Ruth was the Moabite daughter-in-law of a Jewess named Naomi. Sell, buy or rent Meditating in God's Word Judges and Ruth Bible Study Series | Book 1 of 1 | Judg 9781953930200 1953930204, we buy used or new for best buyback price with FREE shipping and offer great deals for buyers. She was bending over all day long to pick up grain. This chapter also displays the gracious provision and protection . Everything that she did showed her character, and because of that character, she was honored by God. 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