Ruth: Ordinary People, Extraordinary God

      Please turn to Ruth 1:6-18.  Ruth teaches that love may require uncompromising sacrifices.  It also highlights God’s faithfulness and showcases the importance of loyalty and kindness. As Ruth’s heart is exposed, I think we should also search our own. 

    Ruth starts with suffering and culminates with a direct connection to King David.  To set the scene, Naomi, an Israelite woman, and her husband and sons are displaced to Moab due to famine (Ruth 1:1).  Time has passed, but hunger remains a dire concern.   The Global Report on Food Crisis disclosed that over 295 million people in 53 countries and territories faced food insecurity in 2024.  Food is a fundamental need, one we help to meet in our community, and one that needs more of our attention.

    The irony is that Moab was a land of idolatry yet was offering sustenance to the people.  This was a time of sin, punishment and instability in Israel.  In this time of chaos, affirmed in the final words of Judges, where it is written (21:25), "everyone did as they saw fit," the integrity and commitment Ruth showed was rare and notable.  

    While in Moab, Naomi’s husband and two sons died; Naomi, Ruth and Orpah became widows.  Learning the famine ended, Naomi decided to go home.  Her daughters-in-law resolved to go with her.  While on the road, she urged them to go back to their families, releasing them of any obligation and of any guilt they may have felt.  Orpah went back to her home.  

     Ruth heard the desperate cry of Naomi (1:13), sensing her despair and insisted on following Naomi and her God.  They were on different journeys - together.  Ruth clung to Naomi’s faith while Naomi was desperately clung to hers.  

    Ruth, a woman of integrity, declared an unwavering loyalty to Naomi, stating, "Where you go I will go, and where you stay, I will stay…and your God my God."   What we learn from Ruth is that our response to challenges is key.  Do we fold under pressure?  Look for the easy way out? Or do we remain hopeful, following and trusting God living in obedience?

      Ruth left all that was familiar to her for Naomi.  While Orpah did not do anything wrong by going back to Moab, Ruth demonstrated loyal love.  Her commitment to follow Naomi and to her God illuminated the importance of keeping faith at the center of relationships.  She helped us to see how life, orchestrated with God in the center, will reap good.  Here we witness, God always at work, weaving a story of redemption through typical activities of life.  

     They were confronted with death, hunger, relocation, poverty, and relationship commitments; they struggled, and they persevered.  We may see parallels between their lives and ours.  It is my prayer that we see God’s bigger plan shine through as we make our choices to be obedient and follow Him.  

      Ruth was loyal and compassionate.  She chose to be a true friend.  She was a person of character, even when no one was looking. She offered support to her mother-in-law without any personal gain.  Ruth is the definition of friend…selfless, empathetic and trustworthy.   Two questions we are confronted with this morning are… Are we loyal friends?  And, how can we be more compassionate friends?

      Naomi returned home bitter. She felt abandoned. She perceived all that had transpired was God’s actions against her.  Her faith was shaken.  At times, Naomi was challenging but that did not stop Ruth. Her kindness and hard work eventually brought Naomi contentment.   

      Their journey from famine to finding provision and new life in Bethlehem showed resilience and faith in the face of adversity.  At this time, Naomi did not see the many blessings God placed in her life, including the loyalty and love of Ruth.  She allowed bitterness and negativity to seep in.  This may be the way we respond, if we choose not to trust God.  Ruth demonstrated faith.  

     The beginning of the good is identified in 1:22 where it reads, “the harvest was beginning.”   To fast-forward the story, Ruth gleaned food from Boaz’s field, a socially accepted welfare practice. Overtime Boaz grew fond of Ruth and ordered a generous supply of grain left behind for Ruth to garner.  Eventually, they married, and Ruth bore a son, Obed.  Naomi took an active role in raising him, becoming a symbol of restoration for Naomi.  And here is more good news, Obed was the grandfather to King David, a crucial figure in the lineage of Jesus.  Ruth’s story highlights God's concern for all.  A pagan Moabite was instrumental in showing that love has the final word, connecting the future to Jesus and ultimately salvation offered to all. 

     Ruth showed us that regardless of our lot in life we can always choose to live according to God’s principles.  Let’s love, show compassion, remain loyal and respond in kindness as we care for others, work hard, share, cherish friendships, and respond in good character – following God.  We know the aforementioned reaps rewards, we feel the byproduct, but more importantly it is scriptural…God abundantly blesses those who seek to live obedient lives.  Obedient living is not always easy, but with God’s help it’s possible and most beneficial. And all God’s people say, amen.

Blessings,

Pastor Kerry

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