Ruth 1-2. “Whither Thou Goest, I Will Go”

 Ruth is a great example of how someone can live in an overall wicked environment, such as the period of the judges, and still remain faithful and even experience spiritual growth. Through her devotion and faith Ruth chose the better part and experienced great blessings as a result.

·         What was the situation in the land of Judah when Ruth and Naomi lived?

 Ruth 1:1 Now it came to pass in the days when the ^ajudges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Beth-lehem-judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.

Because of the famine in the land Naomi with her husband and sons moved about 30 to 40 miles to the country of Moab. While there Naomi’s husband died and her sons married.

 3 And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. 4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. 5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.

·         List the trials Ruth faced in Ruth 1.

Ruth married one of Naomi’s sons and learned their way of life and their religion. She embraced their lifestyle and religion. When her husband and her brother in law died, Naomi decided to go back to her homeland. She suggested both of her daughter-in-laws stay and find a new life. Ruth loved Naomi and her new way of life. She wanted to stay with her and continue in her new way of life. So she moved with Naomi away from her homeland and all that was familiar.

 16 And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from ^afollowing after thee: for whither thou goest, I will ^bgo; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy ^cpeople shall be my people, and thy God my ^dGod: 17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

·         Choose one trial that is like one you have faced and briefly describe it.

I have had trials similar to both Ruth and Naomi. I lost a husband and had to move out of my long term home and away from many friends. The move was necessary to help with financial struggles. Even though the move was only about 40 miles, it was a whole new lifestyle in many ways and I had to find new friends and a support system. Then my oldest son died and left behind two young children. I love my daughter-in-law and want her to forever be part of my family, but I also understand her need to move on with her life. She has now remarried and he is a wonderful father to my grandchildren. 

·         Explain what you think motivated Ruth to go with Naomi. In what ways would it have been hard for Ruth to go with Naomi?

Besides Ruth’s love and concern for Naomi, Ruth had fully embraced her new religion and way of life. She knew she could not get that where she currently lived. Even though she had to give up her longtime home and friends, her mother, her new way of life and her religion had become more important to her.

·         Why was Boaz so impressed with Ruth?

When they moved back to Bethlehem, it was the beginning of the harvest season. It was custom to leave the stalks of grain that fell for the poor and let them glean. Naomi and Ruth were part of the group of poor. Ruth wanted to care for Naomi and went into the fields to glean. She worked hard to get enough.

“Harvesting was difficult work and demanded long hours. Young men moved through the fields grasping handfuls of the grain and cutting through the stalks with sickles. These small bunches of grain were then bound into bundles called sheaves. As the men worked rapidly, a number of stalks fell to the ground. If the men were careful and took the time, these too could be gathered up. However, any stalks that dropped were allowed to remain where they fell. Poor people, following the reapers, were permitted to ‘glean,’ or gather, the random stalks—possibly all that stood between them and starvation. In addition, the edges of the field, where the sickle was not as easily wielded, were left unharvested. The poor were welcome to that portion, as well. “The destitute of Bethlehem now included Ruth and Naomi, and Ruth offered to go into the fields and glean.” (OT Manual)

Boaz was a relative of Naomi and I am sure he knew of her hardships. He also owned many of the grain fields. He saw how hard Ruth worked to care for Naomi and the love she showed to Naomi. Ruth’s willingness to give up her homeland and come live this life of poverty to care for Naomi showed him the character of Ruth.

Ruth 2: 7 And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house.
8 Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to ^aglean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here ^bfast by my maidens:
 9 Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn. 10 Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take ^aknowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?
 11 And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. 12 The Lord recompense thy work, and a full ^areward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose ^bwings thou art come to trust.

·         Explain what you can learn about facing your challenges from the examples in this chapter.

We can learn some great messages about how to handle our challenges from the people in these chapters. They didn’t just sit around and wallow in their self- pity and complain to the Lord. Instead they took action, they did what they could. I love Ruth’s example of love, loyalty, commitment, and service. She trusted God and chose to sacrifice an easier life to care for Naomi and follow her new God. Love, service, and trusting God are all very important to do as we face our challenges.

·         Briefly describe the greatest sacrifice you have yet made because of your commitment to the Lord. Then write an answer to the question “Has your sacrifice become a blessing?” If so, please describe how it did. If not, describe how you now feel about the sacrifice.

My greatest sacrifices are too personal to write about in this blog, but they were motivated by my love of my children and my love of the Lord. I would have given up everything if the Lord required it of me and if it would have made a difference for my children. I almost did. The Lord has blessed me with abundance in so many ways. The things I learned during my challenges and willingness to sacrifice for the greater good has had a tremendous impact on my life for the better. I feel more love and peace in my life and most of all a tremendous trust in the Lord.

·         Explain why you think Boaz was so kind to Ruth.

I think Boaz was kind to Ruth first of all because he was a good and kind man. He could see in Ruth her commitment and love and trust in the Lord. Her service and loyalty to Naomi made Boaz want to treat her in kind and make her life easier in whatever way he could. 

As we get out of our own struggles and give service to others and share our love in spite of our circumstances, we will be blessed by the Lord with abundance.