Heroes? Ruth

Ruth 1:1-17

Who is a hero? We can think of many people who have been heroes in our lives. Usually athletes, freedom fighters, politicians, musicians, talented evangelists… But today’s hero was none of these. She wasn’t rich or famous. She wasn’t politically connected. She wasn’t even a leader. Our hero is a poor widow from an enemy nation.

We read the beginning of the Book of Ruth, but here is a summary of what happens next. At the beginning of the book Ruth is living in her home nation, Moab. These were traditionally Israel’s enemies. Ruth’s husband died without giving her a child, and so she lives with her widowed mother-in-law.

She could have simply given up. But she did not. There are probably some among us who have gone through significant struggles, much as Ruth did. She suffered loss. She moved far away from her people. She could have defined herself by her failures and her struggles. But she did not allow her past to dictate her future. 

God created you with a purpose, and no matter what is in your past, God will empower you to move forward toward that purpose.

Ruth also shows tremendous faith. She believed God had a purpose for her. Her mother-in-law led her to a field owned by a relative, where she could pick up leftover grain. Who can survive just on leftover grain… but Ruth had faith that God would provide. Now, this does not mean that Ruth just sat at home watching TV, just waiting for manna to come from heaven. She worked hard in Boaz’ field, from morning to night.

Some of you are struggling, especially financially. You have  faith that God will provide… but in the meantime, you are working. This is part of the purpose of our Work 4 a Living Centre; to teach working with excellence. To teach work ethic and worldview. How was she able to continue to work like this every day? Because she had great character. She was a person of integrity. She showed respect to her mother-in-law. She worked hard in the field. She showed integrity in her relationship with Boaz. She was a woman of character.

Sometimes it can be easy to let character slip. We have all seen women and men who at one time were people of godly character, but now they are mostly concerned with being the Big Man or the Big Woman. They consistently tear others down. When reports are read, they are the ones criticizing for no reason. They are the ones who talk a big game but are not working for the Kingdom. Be like Ruth, not like these women.

It can be easy to let character slip when things are difficult. Someone presents you with an opportunity for fast money… only it is not ethical or legal. What will you do? Can you believe that God will provide? 

Ruth believed that God would provide for her, and He did. Not only did he provide the means for her to work — the field where she gleaned the leftovers, but God provided her with a husband, and, in time, with a child. Here is the thing: redemption is always possible. Some people say “I could never…” or “God would never…” and fill in the blank with something they don’t believe God could do. But God took a poor, hurting outcast and healed her, provided for her, and brought her a great love with Boaz. And no matter where you come from or what you've been through, God has a plan for you that far surpasses all of that.

The great thing about Ruth’s story is what happened “after the story.” God established a legacy through Ruth. She made the decision to follow Naomi even after her husband died. To follow her to a foreign land. But God brought her to Boaz, and together they conceived a child. Listen to the last two verses of the book of Ruth: Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him. The women living there said, “Naomi has a son!” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.

So Ruth was the great grandmother of the second Israelite king, King David. But that’s not all. For much, much later, some 1200-1300 years later, another child would be born in the same lineage… Jesus, the Savior of the world. Ruth, a Moabite, was made part of the lineage of Christ.

If you commit your life to God and your calling is firm in Him, there is no limit to what God can do through you. Leave a legacy to your family and those all around you — a legacy of faith. 

It wasn't an easy life for Ruth. She grew up in a wicked nation. She suffered the loss of her husband. She followed Naomi to a foreign land and lived in poverty. All very difficult circumstances to say the least. However, God was at work the whole time. It was a long and difficult journey, but it ended with redemption. Ruth started out empty, but she ended full!

This can be your story as well. Keep your faith in Christ. Keep working for Him. Remember that godly character matters. And you, too, can leave a lasting legacy.