Ruth: A Story Of Redemption By Cailin Leacock Exemplo

The Context of Ruth

The Book of Ruth, set at the time of the judges and at a time of famine, tells us that Israel had walked away from God and broken their covenant with Him. But God, even at such a dire time, had a plan for redemption, using the most unlikely of people . . . a Moabite named Ruth.

At a time of famine (caused by Israel’s disobedience towards God), Elimelek took his family to Moab to escape the harsh conditions. Elimelek’s decision to go to Moab “for a while” quickly turned into them settling down permanently. They put down their roots and made Moab their home. Elimelek and Naomi left the safety of God’s Word and promise for a counterfeit god’s second best. Elimelek and Naomi’s decision to coexist with the people of Moab led to them cooperating with them—their sons married Moabite women, Ruth being one of them. 

As soon as the famine was over, however, Naomi was quick to return to Bethlehem. Instead of turning to her family, Ruth pledges her allegiance, not just to Naomi, but to Naomi’s God! “Where you go I will go . . . Your people will be my people and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16, NIV). It was so profound that she chose to leave her family, her life and everything she knew to follow this God!

On paper, there was not one thing about Ruth that made her a candidate to be used by God. Luckily for us, God does not look at what people regard as important. Whether we want to believe it or not, everything that happens in our lives (the good, the bad and the ugly) can be used by God for good. It is just a matter of allowing Him into the pain and heartbreak, and permitting Him to move and work in your situation.

Have you ever found yourself in a situation that seemed impossible (whether by circumstance or through your own choices)?