Exceptional Bible CharactersSample

There are so many qualities displayed by Ruth that are admirable, and set up an amazing model of faith to live by. Ruth's choices are defined by her love of her mother-in-law, Naomi, and her love for the God of Israel. Her love leads her to pledge allegiance to Naomi, and God, above all other claims – her family, her country, the religion she was raised in. Not only does she travel with Naomi to Israel, where she is known as a foreigner, she also submits to the Israelite customs and way of life, following Naomi's instructions carefully. Boaz was right in admiring Ruth's devotion; in the next chapter (as we saw yesterday) he observes that "all the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character" (3:11). God blessed Ruth, 'richly rewarding' her, as Boaz prayed, with a son, Obed, a grandson, Jesse and a great grandson who became king of Israel, David. Furthermore, Ruth is named in the lineage of Jesus Himself (Matthew 1:5).

Question: What do you admire in Ruth? What quality of hers would you most like to emulate?