Hi there!
Last week I rounded up my series on the AMAZING book of Esther. I enjoyed my journey and after praying about what book to study next, decided to study the book of RUTH next. It has been another AMAZING journey I tell you. I will be sharing this journey with you and I do hope that you are blessed and inspired to put the lessons into action, remember, our faith is dead without works (James 2:17).
CHAPTER 1: This is the story of how Elimelech and
his family moved to Moab and settled there, with his sons marrying Moabite
women, one of which was Ruth. Him and his sons eventually die and Noami decides
to return back to her homeland. Along the way she urges her daughters in law to
return to their homes. The first wife does, but Ruth insisted on going with her
and staying with her till death.
What really stood out for me in this
chapter is reflected in vs 16-17. I find myself asking, what did Ruth see in
Naomi that she was ready to pledge her life to her? Clearly she must have seen
something magnetic in her mother in law’s life. She must have watched her life and
admired her. She must have watched her worship her God faithfully in order for
her to renounce her Moabite gods and choose Naomi’s God. Is my relationship or
my lifestyle and worship of God passing a positive message to unbelievers
around me? Can my worship of God cause a change in another’s heart? In vs 14,
Naomi encouraged Ruth to join her mater Orpah to return to their people and to
their gods but Ruth refused to because I am sure she had seen that Naomi’s God
was the one true God and she decided to stick with this God. From this portion
of the story I also perceive Naomi to be a good mother in law to her daughters
in law. We often hear of mother in laws who make life unbearable for their
daughters in law. It is passing a strong message across. When Naomi was alone
and needing companionship, a woman who had lost her husband and who had hopes
of marrying again and moving on with life was the one who stayed to take care
of her. Naomi must have made a positive impact in Ruth’s life for her to make
such a huge sacrifice. Another thing I noticed was the difference between Orpah
and Ruth. I perceive Orpah to be the opposite of Ruth. When given an
opportunity to return to her old life, she jumped at it. I feel Ruth was even
more teachable than Orpah because she wouldn’t have felt or experienced Naomi’s
positive influence if she didn’t avail herself to learn from Naomi. She must
have known that there was more to learn from Naomi and so decided to yoke
herself to be disciple by Naomi. The declaration she makes in vs 16-17, is a
bold statement saying, “I am willing to be disciple!” Discipleship is key to
the growth of every Christian and it is the key to multiplying God’s kingdom.
Are you willing to be disciple so you can grow and also so that you can
disciple others? Ruth was and she made the sacrifice.
People are watching my life. What are
they learning from me? Are my actions drawing them to the cross from it? Will
someone choose Jesus because of my life? I must exhibit Jesus to everyone I
come across.
Prayer: Father, help my life to exemplify You. To draw others to the cross
of their redemption. As a woman, may my life be an inspiration to other young
women who are looking up to me. Help me not to be foolish like Orpah and pursue
worldiness; but help me to be wise like Ruth and choose discipleship.
#selah
I hope you are blessed.
In Christ,
Ishanpepe
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