Reading Ruth

Ruth has continually been a book in the Bible that I've struggled to get or understand, surprisingly. I say surprisingly for a few reasons. First, it's such a short book. Second, it is such a commonly heard story. Thirdly, it's exactly that; a historical story.

Whenever I read books from the Bible, I'm always searching for higher meaning, or a greater purpose. Because the Bible is essentially the Word of God, I continually feel that I have to search for the reason why each book is included, each sentence, each word. This can be a good thing, but sometimes it takes away from the overall experience of reading the Bible. A balance has to be found between a search for factual knowledge and enlightenment, and for personal application.

So, when it comes to Ruth, while I continually search for that factual enlightenment, or amazing tidbit of insight, I should also be searching for the personal impact or lessons that can be applied to my life. For some reason, I never consider that God may have included these stories simply for the lessons applied to the present.

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So what personal lessons can be taken from Ruth? Actually, the book is chalk full of them when you read through it with that goal in mind.

First, family is extremely important. Ruth is the person that God is using as the model in the story. Her first defining quality that is revealed is her dedication to her family. While the easiest decision would have been to stay in her home country and get re-married, she was so dedicated to her family, and her mother-in-law that she uprooted her whole future, just to be with Naomi, and to support her.

Second, she was extremely obedient. Whenever anyone asked something of her, or ordered her to do something, she did it wholeheartedly, without ever complaining or asking any questions.

Thirdly, Ruth is an example of how to live through pain and come out of trials in the end. Ruth must have been extremely distraught with the death of her husband, and most of her family. Yet, she struggled through it, and ultimately came out on top, with a new husband, who was extremely respected, and wealthy. She herself was also respected in a small community she could call family, and she bore sons who would grow to become great men historically.

Commonly Ruth is used as an example of a Gentile being accepted into God's family from the Old Testament as a lesson. I chose not to include this, because there is no proof that Ruth actually accepted God into her heart. The most likely conclusion is that she did, based upon her statement that she wanted Naomi's God to be her God, yet there is no evidence past this. As a local pastor once said, "assumption is the lowest form of knowledge." While it does make for a great story, I would choose to draw other, stronger conclusions from the book, rather then just possibilities.