The story of Ruth and Naomi, found in the Book of Ruth, is a heartwarming tale of love, loyalty, and kindness. It is a story of two women who, despite facing great tragedy and hardship, remained kind and gentle to each other, exemplifying the true spirit of compassion.
The Actual Story
The story of Ruth and Naomi takes place during the time of the judges in Israel. Naomi, a Hebrew woman, had left her home in Bethlehem and moved to the land of Moab with her husband and two sons due to a famine. While in Moab, Naomi's husband died, and her two sons married Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth. However, tragedy struck again when both of Naomi's sons also died, leaving her and her daughters-in-law alone and vulnerable.
When Naomi heard that the famine in Bethlehem had ended, she decided to return home. She urged her daughters-in-law to stay in Moab and find new husbands, but Ruth refused to leave her side. “Do not urge me to leave you or to turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God,” Ruth said.
Together, Naomi and Ruth returned to Bethlehem, where Ruth worked hard to provide for them by gleaning in the fields. She showed kindness and gentleness to everyone she met, including a wealthy landowner named Boaz, who owned the fields where she was gleaning. Boaz was impressed by Ruth's kindness and asked about her, learning of her loyalty to Naomi.
Through a series of events orchestrated by God, Boaz and Ruth were married, and they had a son named Obed. Obed became the father of Jesse, who was the father of David, from whose line Jesus would eventually be born.
Moral of the Story
The story of Ruth and Naomi is a beautiful illustration of kindness and gentleness. Ruth's love and loyalty to Naomi were unwavering, even in the face of great difficulty. Her kindness and compassion towards others, including Boaz, set an example for all to follow.
The story also shows how God can work through difficult situations to bring about redemption and restoration. Despite the tragedies that Naomi and Ruth faced, God used their faithfulness and kindness to bring about the birth of David, a great king and ancestor of Jesus.
Inspiration From The Story
The story of Ruth and Naomi inspires us to show kindness and gentleness towards others, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. It teaches us to be loyal and faithful to those we love, and to trust in God's plan for our lives, even when things seem hopeless. It also reminds us that God can use our kindness and faithfulness to bring about something beautiful and meaningful, even in the midst of tragedy.
