by Patti Walters
Read the accounts of Ruth in the following Old Testament book.
 Ruth 1-4 (It’s four short chapters)
Her Ministry: To support Naomi, both emotionally and with sustenance.
Her Home Life: She was A Moabitess married to Elimelech & Naomi’s son Mahlon until he died. After the men of the family died Ruth went with Naomi from Moab to the land of Judah.
Her Status: As a Moabitess she was respected by the people of Bethlehem because of her loyalty to Naomi. They were descendants of Abraham’s nephew Lot, but worshipped idols.
Her Purpose: To be redeemed by Boaz (a type of Christ) and to continue the lineage of Abraham to David, then Christ.
Her Character Traits: Faithful, virtuous, loyal, humble, obedient
Her Physical Attributes: The Bible doesn’t describe her physically, but does note that Boaz noticed her immediately in the field. Possibly because of her beauty, or because she looked different from the other young ladies since she was from Moab.
Meaning of Her Name: Friendship/Association
Backdrop:
Ruth’s husband had died. She was going with her mother-in-law, Naomi, from Moab to Bethlehem where Naomi was from. When Naomi told Ruth and her other daughter-in-law to return to their families in Moab Ruth made a decision that would affect her life and generations to come...
Lessons to be learned from Ruth:
- Ruth was given the choice to return to her home and idolatry or to follow Naomi to the Land of the Israelites. In Chapter 1:16,17 Ruth says to Naomi,
| "Entreat me not to leave you, or to 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. Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me." |
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This was Ruth’s confession of faith to the Lord.
How strong is our faith? Are we willing to leave all of the worldly things behind and possibly our families and look only to the things of God?
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