Ruth

Recently I have been studying the book of Ruth, using a study guide by The Daily Grace Co. This book of the Bible, which is the story of a woman named Ruth, has been very challenging to me. I’m only on chapter two. I am excited to continue studying this book and the life of Ruth. 
I’d like to share with you some things I’ve learned over the past week. One of the first things that struck me was that even though the first several verses in chapter one make it look like everything was going wrong in Naomi’s (Ruth’s mother-in-law) life, God had this all planned out for the good of many people. After Naomi’s husband and two sons died, one of which was Ruth’s husband, Naomi decided to go back to Bethlehem where she was originally from. Ruth was determined to go with her. It is clear to me that Naomi must have had a really strong character for Ruth to know that she wanted to go with Naomi, even though it wasn’t her homeland. She didn’t hesitate to commit to following Naomi in every aspect of this journey.
“And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where though 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
Does this look like commitment to you? Reading this made me wonder if I am the kind of person that, when other people see me, they know that I have the truth they need in their lives.

When Naomi and her family first left Bethlehem, before her husband died, Naomi’s heart was full. Now, when she returns to her homeland, she says she returned empty. She allowed her circumstances to define who she was. What she didn’t realize at the time was that when she left, she was full of herself. The entire time between then and when she returned to Bethlehem, God was working in her life and emptying her of herself so she could be filled with Him. Am I allowing my current circumstances to shape my character? Or am I making myself moldable in the hands of our Creator? The one who knows everything and has a divine purpose for my life. Maybe in a few weeks, I will write another post about the rest of the book. Study this book for yourself and allow God to speak to you through the lives of Naomi and Ruth. I’d love to hear what you learned in your study.

Written by Ginger