We read in Romans 15:44For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. (Romans 15:4) that “whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning,” and this is certainly true of the Book of Ruth. It shows us how God was working for blessing to His people, even in the midst of all the heartache of the times of the judges. It shows us how He was looking ahead to the time when He would set His own choice of king on the throne of Israel. More than this, it typifies the fall and subsequent restoration of Israel as a nation, through God’s grace. But for us today, there are practical lessons that apply to our everyday life as Christians.
First of all, we see Elimelech and Naomi going down to live in the land of Moab, because there was a famine in the land of Israel. Before they left Egypt, God had told the children of Israel that He would bring them into “a land that floweth with milk and honey” (Deut. 11:99And that ye may prolong your days in the land, which the Lord sware unto your fathers to give unto them and to their seed, a land that floweth with milk and honey. (Deuteronomy 11:9)). How then was there a famine? It was because of their ways under the judges, where “every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” God was speaking to them, to exercise their hearts and to bring them to repentance and restoration to Himself.
The Path of Faith
So it is today. When the Lord allows difficulties in our lives, it is sometimes tempting to try to get out of them by going into worldly associations and leaving the path of faith. It is easy to allow human wisdom and human expediency to replace dependence on the Lord. But it is far better to go through the difficulties with the Lord and learn the lessons He has for us. In the end we will be far more blessed and God will be far more glorified than if we look for the easy way out of the problem.
The Trial
God did not allow Elimelech and Naomi to prosper in Moab; first Elimelech dies, leaving Naomi with their two sons Mahlon and Chilion. They married girls from Moab, but then both of the sons died, leaving Naomi alone with her two widowed daughters-in-law. This circumstance, while very sad, had the desired effect, for Naomi decided to return to the land of Israel. This took some time to happen, for they were in the land of Moab about ten years. So it is often in the lives of believers; God works slowly, always looking for and giving time for repentance. His desire for us is always blessing, and we see this exemplified in the life of Naomi. We must remember that God never allows a trial in our lives to go on any longer than is absolutely necessary to produce in us the good that He wishes. Every trial or test is carefully measured in His presence before being allowed in our lives.
Good News
There is another point to be noticed in Naomi’s life, namely, that while in the land of Moab, she heard that conditions had improved in Israel; “God had visited His people in giving them bread” (Ruth 1:66Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread. (Ruth 1:6)). How she heard this we are not told, but no doubt someone remembered her and saw to it that she was given the good news. So it should be among believers. If dear Christians are induced to leave the path of obedience to the Lord and go out into the world, let us not forget about them. Our hearts and prayers should be with them, using every opportunity to reach out to them and to encourage them. It is clear from the later chapters of Ruth that many remembered Naomi and were longing for her to return. The heart of God sought us when we were in our sins, and as Christians He continues His work in seeking those out of the way and bringing them back. The hearts of other believers should reflect the heart of the Chief Shepherd, in seeking to restore those who are away from Him.
The Return
When Naomi was on the way to the land of Israel, there comes a point when she tries to persuade both Orpah and Ruth to go back to the land of Moab. No doubt Naomi was a bit discouraged, uncertain of her reception in Israel and seeing no future for her daughters-in-law, whom she knew would normally be barred from entering into the congregation of Israel (Deut. 23:33An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the Lord for ever: (Deuteronomy 23:3)). But she reckoned without the grace of God, who never turns His back on an earnest soul. While Orpah goes back, Ruth’s heart had evidently been touched, for she insists on coming with Naomi. Even though she had been in a path of disobedience, Naomi loved the Lord and no doubt had born a testimony to Him in a land characterized by idolatry. Chemosh, the chief god of the Moabites, was a frightful idol, and human sacrifices were connected with their worship. Ruth must have learned from Naomi about the true God and wanted to know more about Him.
We sometimes find this among believers today. A Christian may be in a path of disobedience, yet God honors anything to do with Himself as long as there is anything of Himself in it. He may use an unfaithful believer to witness for Him, as He used Naomi. Then Ruth, the object of her witness, was used in blessing to Naomi. Truly it must be said of God, “How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!” (Rom. 11:3333O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! (Romans 11:33)). Ruth’s determination is remarkable, and she even invokes the name of Jehovah, showing that her heart had really laid hold of the Lord and who He was.
Encouraging One Another
The subsequent interaction of Ruth and Naomi shows us, in type, how a new believer and a more mature one can encourage one another. Ruth typifies a new Christian, in all the joy and enthusiasm of first love. Naomi typifies a more experienced one, who, although she has been through trials as a result of her own failure, yet has profited by them and thus brings to the younger one the measured spiritual intelligence and maturity which she has learned. Each encourages the other!
A Son Is Born
Finally, when Ruth has entered into the full blessing of the redemption of the inheritance and has become the wife of Boaz, she bears a son. But it is Naomi to whom the women spoke, telling her that her daughter-in-law was better to her than seven sons and that the child born would be a nourisher of her old age. When the child was named Obed, meaning “servant” or “worshipper,” the women once again said, “There is a son born to Naomi” (Ruth 4:1717And the women her neighbors gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David. (Ruth 4:17)). As to natural order, the son was born to Ruth, who was related to Naomi only by a previous marriage. Yet Naomi is given, as it were, credit for his birth, for it was she who introduced Ruth to Israel’s God and who brought her into the place of blessing. So God delights to reward anything of Himself in our lives, and in a coming day, at the judgment seat of Christ, doubtless many of us will be surprised at what the Lord has found in our lives to reward. There is failure in every one of us, and as such, it will have to be burned up in that day. But what has been done for Christ will receive its reward.
The crowning of all this grace shown to Ruth is seen later, for Obed is the grandfather of David, and our Lord Jesus was born into this world in the same royal line. Truly, He is “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:2020Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, (Ephesians 3:20))!
W. J. Prost