Ruth, a Symbol of Family Loyalty

RUTH 1:8, 14-22

THE beautiful story of Ruth and Naomi is recorded in the Scriptures to furnish us with corroboration of an important link in the genealogical chain leading to Jesus that link being Obed, the son whom Ruth bore to Boaz. While there are many beautiful lessons which may be drawn from this story which should be helpful to all who love the Lord and his people, it is doubtful if we could consider any part of the narrative as being typical in the sense that it was a pattern to illustrate some feature of God’s plan, such, for example as were the tabernacle and its services. These God especially directed, for he intended them to be “shadows of good things to come.”—Heb. 10:1

Ruth is indeed a beautiful symbol of family loyalty, and the important lesson which illustrates the importance of our loyalty to God’s family, our brethren in Christ. Regardless of who these may be, and of their many imperfections, we are to consider them as being our people because they are the people of our God—those whom he has called and is training for joint-heirship with Christ in his kingdom.

Ruth’s refusal to leave Naomi and return to her people in the land of Moab indicates the strong attachment which she had for her mother-in-law. Her declaration that Naomi’s people would thenceforth be her people, and Naomi’s God her God, indicates that Naomi witnessed to her daughter-in-law concerning her God, and that this witness, and the testimony of her life, had made a wonderful impression on Ruth.

This is the way it should he with all the Lord’s people. What we say concerning our God will be effective only if our lives are consistently in harmony with our testimony, as was evidently the case with Naomi. If those with whom we come in contact feel drawn to the Lord because of the influence of his Spirit in our lives, we can be happy—happy that despite our imperfections others would like to worship our God and become one with his people because they have seen his influence of righteousness exemplified in us.

Ruth had a difficult decision to make in returning to Bethlehem with Naomi. Apparently Naomi was penniless and, in returning, virtually had to throw herself upon the mercy of her people. Ruth knew this, yet had enough faith in Naomi’s God to believe that they would be taken care of. From a material standpoint she might have been better off to have stayed in Moab, but the friendship of Naomi and the care of Naomi’s God meant more to her than material good things.

In this there is a lesson, especially for spiritual Israelites, who have covenanted to sacrifice earthly good things in order that they might lay up treasures in heaven. Perhaps at times, as with Ruth, we would be better off materially by disassociating ourselves from the Lord’s people, but if our hearts are truly loyal to the Lord, and therefore to his people, we cannot consider such a move.

QUESTIONS

What may be one of the main purposes of the Book of Ruth?

Are the experiences related in the book intended to be typical?

What would seem to be the reason Ruth was so willing to cast her lot with Naomi?

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