6 relationship lessons from the book of ruth

Ruth could have had her fill and left it there. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. On the other hand, Ruths husband had died leaving her without children and she was still young. 6 Relationship lessons from the book of Ruth . Naomi therefore had no idea that the hardships she was preparing to endure did not have to be her reality. The Book of Ruth is a fantastic example that exemplifies the rollercoaster ride that love can take us on. There was no king in Israel and leadership was dependent on the judges that God selected. She urges Ruth and Orpah to stay in Moab and find new husbands. Naomi's husband died, and her sons married Moabite women. God heard her cries and helped her feel complete again. Do they stay in the land of their birth where the God of heaven wasnt worshipped? The book of Ruth is a beautiful piece of sacred literature, applauded by many for its literary excellence. The Book of Ruth enables readers to view, in a small-scale way, the foundational biblical story of the exodus. She might have been married before but now she was practically starting her life over. No matter what devastating situation comes into play, love will conquer all because it is ultimately what brings people together. Naomi was too old to remarry or to work. If you want to share this resource with others, please share the link to the blog post. But when it comes to relationships, its even harder. A man named Elimelech, from Bethlehem-Judah, left his hometown when a famine struck. 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 didnt just pray. This is an outstanding characteristic of Ruth in the Bible because this world has become so full of ungrateful people who are never satisfied and complain about everything. But it was Ruths love for Naomi that made her willing to leave her country to return to Israel. The characteristics of Ruth in the Bible also include her being a hard worker, and someone who takes care of those around her. He and his wife Naomi, along with their two sons Mahlon and Chilion, left for Moab. In this video, I share 6 practical lessons to learn from the book of Ruth, especially as it relates to Christian relationship. The Book of Ruth relates that Ruth and Orpah, two women of Moab, had married two sons of . Stressful. Because of Boaz's wise (perhaps shrewd) way of framing the occasion, this was the first time the nearer kinsman considered this, and it was a pretty big question to take in all at once. This was a sign of her level of gratitude. Life is hard but when youre when youre outside of Gods will, its hard with a difference. The book of Ruth starts with the life of Naomi. Monday, September 30, 2019. The point is, we cant say for sure but it is likely that he had a wife. Thats not to say he didnt already have a wife though. And yet, his fingerprints are all over the events of Ruth. No matter your past, you still have a purpose. It is unlikely that it was written before the time of David (cp. Ruth is a traditionally feminine name with Hebrew roots and origins in the Bible which means "companion" or "friend." Ruth was "of the women of Moab" but was related to Israel . The biblical story of Ruth and Boaz is all of that and more. True friendship is self-giving. Nineteenth-century American historian Elizabeth Ellet imagines that Ruth's beauty and foreign appearance attracted Boaz's attention.. When these two women arrive back in Naomis home town, they are destitute, devastated, and broken. And she took on a religion that she knew very little about just like Abraham. One of the most important Naomi and Ruth relationship principles is to trust God. This tells us that Boaz had a good relationship with his employees. Issues that require mental and emotional effort should probably happen when people are not tired and hungry. This story of Ruth . That journey to Israel must have been frightening. It is unlikely that it was written before the time of David (cp. It's very great to learn from the book of Ruth and it's very challenging book and great book very interesting to read this 7 powerful lession. In a place where many would have thought shed be ostracized, she found love with a man named Boaz. 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. Which man is going to ignore a beautiful, well-dressed sweet smelling damsel, especially one who has already caught his attention with her character? Two of the most popular judges in Scripture were Deborah and Samson. A man of Boazs age was expected to have already Wed and started producing children. It was an enemy nation, and Israelites tended to look down on the Moabites. When were in a relationship, its relatively easy to subconsciously take advantage of your partner because they are with you each day. The book of Ruth presents the inspiring journey of God's people from tragedy to triumph. Both Naomi and Ruth experienced a great amount of grief, however both prevail Naomi loses her husband two sons. Plus, Naomi was too old to have any more children. Just ensure that like Ruth, you are showing up in faith and doing your work with excellence. How a Man Should Treat a Woman According to God. He didnt judge her past and didnt penalize her instead he embraced her past by also providing for Naomi. But there is a lesson in the book of Ruth. And through humility and dependence, Ruth begins to grow in grace. Boaz was a prophetic symbol and his redemptive work lives on even today. This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. At the beginning of the story, we meet Elimelech, the husband of Naomi. v 2 - Moab: located east of the Jordan River and the Dead Sea. Lesson 4 - Remaining Humble While Being Favored. These previews of Christ are a bit of a foreshadowing that falls across Old Testament pages, fully coming to reality in the New Testament with the birth of Jesus. The book of Ruth follows the book of Judges in our Bibles because its setting was in that time period. This means she was ready to be taken as his wife and to enter into a relationship of mutual submission and trust. Naomi planned to return to Israel and encouraged Ruth to stay in Moab and return to her mother's family. She had to go gather behind the harvesters in the fields to get a bit of barley so they could survive. Ruth was willing to go harvest in the fields daily. Ruth was a model of responsible living in an irresponsible age. Its crushing to lose a spouse. First, I will tell you the summary of the story from the Bible, and then I will talk about the morals of this story. Boaz was considerably older than Ruth. Your email address will not be published. The first concerns the happy accident of Ruth's But there is a question for you to ponder: Are you the kind of woman who Boaz would be drawn to? Because Ruth was a childless widow of a Hebrew male, she was entitled to remarriage from a member of Mahlons family. (NLT). Everyone experiences grief and sorrow during their lifetime. In the book of Ruth, the character of Boaz represents the culmination of God's providence for the two destitute widows at the center of the story.In Boaz, Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth found a "kinsman redeemer," one whose responsibility was to "act on behalf of a relative who was in trouble, danger, or need." Boaz demonstrates, perhaps better than any other in the Old Testament . 4 They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. No earth-shattering miracles, like the Red Sea parting, happen in her life. And guess what, Ruth was consistent. 1. Among them is how it illustrates the relationship between Jesus (Yahshua) with His Church. This was to appeal to Boazs nature. Love works in mysterious ways. He immediately takes to her and starts to protect her. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 2: Ruth wins Boaz's admiration and protection. He found who she was in the present to be what he was looking for. For this reason, she was at a disadvantage. Both of these women showed faith and clung to the belief that better days were ahead. He asked them to allow some to fall purposely for her. Clearly, the exalted nation of Israel, God's chosen people, has lost its sense of direction. The book of Ruth begins by looking at the life of Naomi. We also see the freedom in their relationship. Things will go faster and will be much better. In fact, we know more about the relationship between these two women than we know about them individually. In fact, we know more about the relationship between these two women than we know about them individually. 3) Servant Leaders Show Extraordinary Kindness. Thanks for sharing some of it. Love is a very interesting concept. But when things are the most difficult, thats when we need faith and hope the most. Despite the pain, Naomi chooses to stand by her daughter-in-laws side and continue their relationship. While in Moab, the boys get married. Even if you have to pay for it, itll be worth it. There is no clear answer to this question in Scripture. Look out for a man who is proud to call you his own. There are really so many lessons we could draw from this epic true love story. When Boaz is introduced in the story, the first thing he does is to greet his workers and servants. He should have already taken her in to provide for her. . When you least expect it God provides His children with the things they need in life. Naomi was essentially empty and devastated after she lost her husband and sons. Ruth was no Hebrew but God used her to continue the family line through which Jesus would be born. Note that he addressed her as daughter. A famine in Canaan forces Elimelech and Naomi, along with their sons, to migrate from Bethlehem to Moab. Both women had the very same struggles and the same decision to make. The book of Ruth begins by looking at the life of Naomi. THE BOOK OF RUTH Lesson 3: Chapters 3:6-4:22 Boaz Becomes Ruth's Blood Redeemer Previous Ruth Lessons List. Ruth 1:3: "Now Elimelek, Naomi's husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. But tragedy struck the family. He hired people to help him manage his assets. Anissa McClain November 1, 2014 English 280 Penny Riggs The Case of Winnie Ruth Judd Winnie Ruth Judd was born in 1905 and raised in Darlington, Indiana, by her parents Reverend and Mrs. McKinnell. At the beginning of the Book of Ruth, we meet Ruth, who is a Moabitess. God orchestrated the events of both their lives to make finding love again possible for Ruth. God bless! While your confidence may be wavering, Gods promises are not. There is no bitterness or hostility that shadows over their relationship. He was not in Gods will. There are many things married and single people can learn about in the Book of Ruth. This was completely not her fault. Through Naomi and Ruths mother and daughter-in-law relationship, were able to see the heavenly presence that takes place because of love. They confess their undying devotion and love for each other and in a fairytale theyd live happily ever after. God will not necessarily stand in your way. 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. It seems that Naomi's entire life crumbles in those years. . In that instant, she decided, Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.. He told Ruth to stay in his field, told the young men to leave her alone and introduced her to women her age that she could befriend. This was the first romantic move he made. But, according to the practices of the time, Boaz was free to take another wife, especially since he was a kinsman. Boaz did say that Ruth chose not to marry a young man. Ruth allowed herself to be loved and led by Naomi. Copyright by Michael Bradley and Chris Bradley, When People Let You Down: Dealing with Disappointment. The couples two sons both married when they moved to Moab. Their choices do not mean that one is better than the other. He was wealthy. The meeting with the other kinsman was held in the presence of Ruth, Naomi and elders in the community. 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. Once they realize that their significant other doesnt have bad intentions when they make mistakes, theyll discover that their relationship will truly prosper. Ruth's story is celebrated during the Jewish festival of Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks, 50 days after Passover. Copyright Feel The Words 2023. They will not be disgraced in hard times; even in famine they will have more than enough. Naomi organized a plan to let Boaz know that Ruth is open for marriage. But thats not what she did. Instead couples should have equal say on what happens within a relationship and each voice should hold the same value. The book of Ruth does not always get the respect it deserves. Naomi became a mentor to her, teaching her the ways of the Hebrew people and walking with her through the process of securing Boaz as her kinsman (more on this later). Or do they follow Naomi into an unpredictable future where Jehovah would lead? 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. 33 Short Bible Verses About . We all must understand the importance of being thankful and recognizing others that make a difference within our life especially within our relationships. Everyone experiences grief and sorrow during their lifetime. Disclosure: This site contains affiliate links which wont change your price. We dont usually share our unedited feelings and thoughts about God with friends or family members. One of the moral lessons we can get from the bible story of Ruth is the importance of making wise choices as Ruth did in Ruth 1:16-18 that made her choose to stay with Naomi despite Orpah choosing otherwise. 5. When the meeting was done, Boaz publicly declared and celebrated his relationship with Ruth. : , , However, Naomi stayed committed to her daughter-in-law and wanted her to follow the God of Israel. . I hear people say, Gods got Made with by India A place where world feel the words. 4:17). Do you have a mentor? 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. So Ruth took on the responsibility of providing for them. 6 Relationship Lessons from the Book of Ruth There are many things married and single people can learn about in the Book of Ruth. Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah are all widows. The Book of Ruth begins with a tale of famine in the Holy Land. More often than not, youll find that love mirrors our reality in many cases within biblical stories. She moved to a foreign land where she knew no one but her mother-in-law. And yet the life of a foreign widow who has nothing becomes so important that its included in the Bible and her name recognized in the lineage of Jesus. Sermon series: Building Lasting Relationships - Ruth. 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. Love works in mysterious ways. Book of Ruth, Old Testament book belonging to the third section of the biblical canon, known as the Ketuvim, or Writings. i. Listen To The Advice of The Wise. Elimelech had intended to go back home. Ruth 3:10. Naomi even extends thanks and recognition to Ruth for providing her with a beautiful blessing. Inspiring to Christians single or married, this love story displays God's sovereignty over difficult circumstances in every stage and season of life. Everyone can find something relatable in Ruths love story. Can the same be said of you? Couples must balance each other and have a forgiving heart. 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. When entering into a relationship, its important that each person understand and respect the other as an equal. Whether youre going through a break-up or divorce, there is a reason for all of the pain. He died leaving his wife and sons among ungodly people. They choose to stay together and forge a union. She lived a simple live in obscurity. Well, there is a lot to be said about her. It tells of a relationship between two women-Naomi, the senior of the two, and her daughter-in-law Ruth. Here we glean 13 moral lessons from Ruth's story. Go have babies. Her best days were ahead. Kenneth Way September 26, 2016. Lets talk a little about the man Boaz, what was so special about Boaz, and lessons we can learn from them. Naomi hatches a "plan" to join Ruth and Boaz for "good" ( Ruth 2:22 ). Act 3: Ruth and Boaz are at the threshing floor ( Ruth 3:1-18 ). Every week you will receive a devotional and a free printable PDF that will help you dive deeper into our Ruth Bible Study. 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. 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. Like Abraham, Ruth left her life of false worship, a life surrounded by a predictable routine and people she knew. Ruth allowed herself to be influenced by Naomi. You will be surprised at how much growth will take place in your life and how much less the struggle to your next level will be. The Book of Ruth provides many relationship lessons that perpetuate the meaning of true love. This in-depth Bible Study will take you verse-by-verse and chapter-by-chapter through the book of Ruth. Even when things are hard. Elimelech passes away, and about 10 years later, both of Naomis sons die, as well. 2022 28 Jun. Relationships today are the exact same! Every relationship will have its ups and downs because no relationship is perfect. We cannot say for sure how old either of them were but there was a notable age difference. Naomi was essentially empty and devastated after she lost her husband and sons. Act 2: Ruth and Boaz the Judahite meet in the fields ( Ruth 2:1-23 ). 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. Ruth and Boaz had a child together and he also took care of Naomi. Bethlehem was where Jehovah was worshipped but Moab was a place where heathen, false gods were worshipped. Lesson #1 - There is Hope Even in the Most Devastating Times of Our Life. Introduction. Freedom was a key aspect of their friendship. . Her best days were not behind. As women, we can look up to Ruth as an example of goodness and someone worth emulating. The book of Ruth in the Bible is an anthology of love and forgiveness. There were both positive and negative qualities about Ruth but more positive than negative. . Ruth was the Moabite daughter-in-law of a Jewess named Naomi. She was the same person wherever she went. So the Book of Ruth would roughly equate to the Book of Friendship in Hebrew. Therefore, Boaz would need to marry her instead of Naomi. The Hebrew word Boaz used to describe Ruth means some one of moral strength, sound integrity and courage. Perhaps thats what makes it so compelling. Her actions told Boaz that she was there to claim her right to be redeemed by him. Rahab, the prostitute who escaped Jericho was Boazs mother. In Boaz, Jesus shows up to redeem, cover, protect, rescue, and restore. Even though Ruth wasnt a Jew and was a Moabite, God didnt allow those titles to change His love for Ruth. Through Naomi, Ruth learned about the God of Israel and chose to put her trust in him. What you are looking for is consistency. Ruth Chapter 4: Fruits of Freedom. The book of Ruth shines like a beautiful diamond against this bleak background. 1. The rest of the book tells how Ruth married a . Its evident that Naomi understands that God wants her to continue her relationship with Ruth and she expresses these feelings with thanks and recognition. Thank you xo much for all the lessons you have scooped out for us from the story of Ruth. Naomi already felt that God had dealt very bitterly with her, yet she continued to hope. She could not be accused of being idle. It might mean he was old enough to be her father. Each person within the relationship must understand that everyone has imperfections and its imperative that they come to terms with this reality. "Wherever you go I will go, wherever you lodge I will lodge.". This is the edited manuscript of Lesson 1 in the series, Ruth: A Story of Redemption, prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh on January 10, 2010. He wanted to conduct things in such a way that it was above board and unquestionable. Learn how your comment data is processed. God does not enter into the story with fire or glory. And Ruth, she also lost her husband. Ruth kept some of the food to take home for Naomi. We dont know anything about her beauty but we know her character was admirable. 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. Examining the second chapter of Ruth. And Samson ungodly people first thing he does is to trust God of... Every relationship will truly prosper break-up or divorce, there is a beautiful blessing for Ruth in... Leaving his wife and sons among ungodly people Ruth was the Moabite daughter-in-law of a relationship, were able see... 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And Ruth relationship principles is to trust God to redeem, cover, protect, rescue, and her married! Her past and didnt penalize her instead he embraced her past by also providing for them: Chapters Boaz! Mutual submission and trust town, they are with you each day x27 ; s chosen people and! Kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: you have to her. About in the Bible is an anthology of love and forgiveness may wavering!, the exalted nation of Israel seems that Naomi understands that God wants her continue! Starts to protect her have already taken her in to provide for her a relationship, were to. Is greater than that which you showed earlier: you have scooped out a! Jehovah was worshipped but Moab was a place where heathen, false Gods were worshipped continue... By also providing for Naomi home for Naomi, there is no clear answer to this question in Scripture Deborah! Held in the book of Ruth enables readers to view, in a place where,... 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And Ruths mother and daughter-in-law relationship, its relatively easy to subconsciously take advantage of your partner because are. So Ruth took on a religion that she was in the Bible is an anthology of love both... We could draw from this epic true love story old Testament book belonging to the practices of the to. Both prevail Naomi loses her husband two sons both married when they make mistakes, theyll discover their... From this epic true love story faith and doing your work with excellence how old either of them but! The present to be redeemed by him like Abraham, Ruth, who is a Moabitess more.! Age was expected to have already Wed and started producing children they could 6 relationship lessons from the book of ruth. Glean 13 moral lessons from the book of Ruth follows the book of Friendship in Hebrew one better... Sacred literature, applauded by many for its literary excellence follow Naomi into unpredictable. 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The belief that better days were ahead because of love, I share 6 practical lessons learn... To work book tells how Ruth married a of your partner because they are with you each.! People she knew no one but her mother-in-law surrounded by a predictable routine and people she knew in! As women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth ungodly people verse-by-verse and chapter-by-chapter through book. Man of Boazs age was expected to have already Wed and started producing children 6 relationship lessons from the book of ruth return!

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