Ruth: Loss, Love and LegacyExemplo

Introduction/History

Perhaps you can relate to Ruth’s plight and her journey’s challenges. You’ve struggled with the daunting dynamic of being a woman and a follower of Christ in an environment that doesn’t always promote your beliefs or your gender. Or maybe you feel well-supported but you’ve quietly wept in your singleness, longing for a man to choose you ... only you. Maybe you’ve been blessed with intimacy but you’ve been struggling to love that one person in your life you’d like to rename Bitter—or something else not as nice. Or maybe you’ve been completely shattered by a recent loss, or one far removed that has left a wound still bleeding. Or perhaps you’ve never done a Bible study before but the story of Ruth sounds intriguing and you’re willing to give it a try. No matter why you’re here, I wholeheartedly welcome you where we will greet a woman from the pages of Scripture we will all be the better for knowing. 

Carefully read Ruth 1:1-2.  

Understanding the history of Moab and their relationship with Israel changes the tone of Elimelech and Naomi’s journey. It’s not like they were Americans heading to Canada. This was an enemy of Israel, a nation the Lord had historically commanded His children not to be in relationship with. 

Let’s draw Elimelech and Naomi’s plight back to our own. Here they stood on the precipice of a sticky decision—to stay in the arid land of God’s choosing or to flee to the bountiful one God had roped off. We know that Elimelech chose the latter, but the question today is What will you choose? Perhaps the Lord has you in difficult circumstances and the attractive land of Moab is an alluring decision away. Escaping to easier terrain is all too tempting when we’re weary in hardship.

Be encouraged by this quote from Matthew Henry, reminding us that fleeing our circumstances doesn’t necessarily remedy them. “It is our wisdom to make the best of that which is, for it is seldom that changing our place is mending it.”1 

God is present right where you are. Stay put and stand firm. It is always more blessed to be under the care of His will than anywhere else—no matter how green the grass or bountiful the walnut trees.  

1. Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible, Vol. 2. [Cited 7 July 2009].