Ruth was a Moabite yet, she became part of Jesus’s lineage and found favour before God and man. When I look at her story, there are a couple of things I observed and learnt from her experience.
She “went out”: When Ruth and Naomi returned to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest, she didn’t sit back at home with arms folded and expect Naomi to fend for her. She took responsibility for her well-being and that of Naomi by going out into the fields to see what she could do. Note that If she didn’t go out, there would have being a zero possibility of ending up on Boaz’s field.
She was diligent: When Boaz got to the field and asked who she was, the overseer’s response was that of a lady who had been focused and worked all day gleaning only taking one short rest.
She had a good reputation: Boaz had heard of all she did for her mother in law even before coming into the field and seeing her. The overseer’s feedback then was more a confirmation of all he had heard about her person: her character.
She was mannered: In all her interactions with the overseer and Boaz, Ruth communicated with humility.
She was not self-centred: After she had eaten with the harvesters and Boaz, she took the extra home to Naomi in addition to all the barley she had for the day.
The above points led to the following questions which I will like to share with you as well.
- Do you go out and make things happen or wait for things to happen to you?
- Are you diligent with whatever your hands find to do?
- How will people describe you? What is your “hallway” reputation?
- Are you focused on you and you alone? If you’re honest with yourself, are you selfish?
- Do people like to hang around you or does your communication style push them away?
Ruth’s diligence, character, mannerisms and reputation caused her to find favour in Boaz’s eyes and she was “grafted by God into His tree” by becoming the grandmother of David and part of the lineage of Jesus. If she could be grafted in the days of the law and fulfilled, what are your excuses now that Jesus has given us free access by His death and resurrection on the cross? The ball is in your court. Learn from Ruth, allow the Holy Spirit lead and transform you. Submit to Him and you will be a vessel in God’s kingdom to accomplish His purposes and cause His kingdom to be represented on earth as it is in heaven.
Remain connected,
Bolaji Ajayi
And the word became flesh 