Ruth

I read the book of Ruth in the Bible last night. It's actually a very short book. There are only two books in the Bible named after women: Ruth and Esther. The special thing about Ruth is she was not born a Jew. She was a Moabite. To the Hebrew people (Israelite, Jew, and Hebrew are all different names for the same people group), there was nothing lower than a Gentile (Non-Jew) woman. She married a Jewish man named Mahlon (4:10) while he and his family had fled to Moab during a famine in Judah. After he, his father and brother die, Ruth is determined to go with Naomi her mother-in-law back to Judah instead of staying in Moab where she might marry again. She says to Naomi, "...your people will be my people, and your God will be my God." (1:16) This took a lot of courage. Being married was your means of livelihood. If widowed you don't just go get a job. You live on charity or die. Ruth was willing to leave the people she knew best, who might provide for her, to go with Naomi and worship her God.

Why do you think this was? Do you think she didn't like her homeland? Perhaps she loved Naomi. But to the point of risking her life? I like to think that she heard about the Lord and was intrigued. The Hebrews were well know throughout that part of the world. Only approximately 350 years had passed since they had left Egypt with great signs from their God and 300 since they had started taking possession of their land. Now, she hears stories of Jehovah from her own husband and his family who are descendants! I think she longed to worship Him.

That is what we are. We are children of wrath who, by the grace of God, have been called out to be made alive with the Messiah! (Ephesians 2:3-5) Ruth was also called to be alive with the Messiah. She is listed in Jesus' lineage. How wonderful!

Are we willing to take the risk Ruth did? We should. I know it is hard, and I often fail at living it to the fullest, but I try.
But, let's try harder.