RUTH
Ruth replied to Naomi, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God (Ruth 1:15)
Barbara moved to a new country after she lost her sons in the army. Initially, she was hesitant and scared of the culture and people of the new country. Incidentally, she met her friend Debra, who introduced her to a local church and its community. Eventually all her anxieties vanished. She again found a circle that welcomed and accepted her.
Ruth is not an Israelite but a Moabite and a foreigner from Moab. Ruth symbolizes the Gentile church of the present times. Ruth is a picture of how God includes the Gentiles into His plan of salvation. Naomi urged Ruth to leave her, like her sister-in-law Oprah. Yet, Ruth was determined and urged Naomi, not to intreat her to turn back. This is the reason that Ruth was given membership in the covenant people of God. May we also be unyielding to look back at things that pertain to Moab like Ruth to possess the Kingdoms’ blessings.
The passage mentions, Orpha swiftly applied her reverse gears. Nevertheless, Ruth was not after worldly pleasures. (Naomi said “Even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons,would you wait until they grew up? : Ruth 1:13). Ruth willingly followed and chose to obey Naomi to marry Boaz, the aged Bride to fulfill Gods’ plan. Similarly, when we follow the Lord, we may not reap worldly benefits and become multi-millionaires. Yet, we will be assured of eternal rewards with our Heavenly Bridegroom Jesus.
Finally, we explore that Ruth’s mission was to raise Judah’s descendants for the baby Jesus to be born that was lost because of Lot. This is figurative to the New Testament church that will re-establish the Israelites connection with Jesus Christ. Thereafter, we see that Ruth’s name is not cited anywhere else in the Bible except in Jesus’ genealogy (Matt : 1) as the passage records Naomi nursed the child. So too, the New Testament church will be taken up in rapture after re-establishing the Israelite church to its Messiah. And their names will also be written in the Book of Life in Heaven, precisely as Ruth’s name was found in Jesus’ genealogy.
Considering this, I would like to bring to the fore that the Lord has a plan for each one of us. We might not possess great riches or at times be disregarded like Ruth. Despite everything, let us be determined to accomplish His plans in our life and not to turn back, for our names will be written in the Book of life. This is our phenomenal Eternal Reward!!
Occasionally foreigners are spoken of and well regarded in the Old Testament. They anticipate the work of Christ, fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham (Gen 12.3) blessing all the nations. Rahab the prostitute and her family (Joshua), the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings) and Namaan the Syrian commander are examples that come to mind, centurions servant healed