Today you should read: Ruth 1:1-13
The book of Ruth is a fascinating story! If you haven’t read it before, you will really enjoy it. We’ll be reading it together over the end of this week and most of next.
The story takes place about 125 years before the birth of David. The author of the book, although not identified, is probably Samuel and was written years after it actually took place. This is determined by Jewish tradition.
The book is rich in examples of faith, patience, and kindness – it shows us the care that God takes for those who trust in Him. It’s a picture of our Kinsman Redeemer, Jesus, who bought us back from sin. It is also a significant historical book, helping us to understand the linage of Jesus.
It takes places in the days when judges ruled over Israel. It must have been toward the beginning of the judges’ time because Boaz, who married Ruth, was born of Rahab (she received the spies in Joshua’s time). The story begins with a severe famine in the land. This was one of the things God said He would do if the people did not obey Him (Leviticus 16:19-20). So, Elimelech, a man from Bethlehem (yes, the same place Jesus was born, which becomes significant in the last few verses of the book) and his wife, Naomi, left to live in Moab where they could find food. He was married and had two sons. After his death, his two sons married Moabite women – one of whose name was Ruth.
About ten years later, tragedy struck the family again and both of Naomi’s sons died. Not knowing what to do or how to survive, she decided to go back to her homeland of Judah because she heard that God had given them good crops again. She started out with her two daughters-in-law with her. But, along the way she decided to let them go in order for them to start their young lives over again. She told them goodbye, kissed them, and cried.
What a story! You’d better keep a box of Kleenex handy! What can we learn from it?
Certainly this story is a vivid picture of life: full of ups and downs, of times when we are at the top of our game, and times when we have hit rock bottom. Naomi sees both extremes in this story.
Where are you right now? Where have you just been? Where are you headed? Which extreme best describes you? Either way, Jesus is still Lord; He’s the Lord of our good times and our bad. There is no panic button beside the throne of grace. God knows about and allows everything to come into our lives. Nothing can come into the life of a Christ-follower without God’s permission.
This reminds me of a verse that I want you to meditate on today. Romans 8:28…you may already know it.
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
God causes all things to work together for our good! Why?
“For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son.” (v. 29)
Tough times seem to be the best recipe for growth and correction. Remember today – whether things are good or bad – that God loves you and has a plan for your life. Look to Him – trust Him – obey Him!
Posted by: Tim Parsons
JumpstartCPC.com 
Ruth – one of my favorite books of the Bible. It’s short…but so much can be learned from its message. So glad we’re studying this together.
Right now, I’m in a rough spot…so much going on. It just seems like all I do is go from day to day…sometimes not even knowing what day it is. I’m working like a “mad woman,” but others don’t seem to appreciate it. Instead, they are full of criticism and doubt. I’m being put under a microscope, yet I watch others waste the day away.
Thank God for HIs promise to work all things out for good. Thank God for loving me and walking beside me. As the saying goes, “I may not know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.” Praising God for His love!
Thanks, Tim. I love the book of Ruth, it is short in length but rich in content. Today’s commentary reminded me of a “sacred” moment I had a month or so ago.
The backyard of one of the properties we mow has lots of tall trees so it is pretty shaded. One morning the sun was shining but because of all the trees there were just a few spots of sunlight and I really wasn’t noticing the sun at all. Then as I mowed under some trees I kicked up a ton of dust and became acutely aware of sunbeams all around me. It was then that God dropped the thought in my mind that we are only able to see how His light is truly shining when things in our lives get disturbed (dusty if you will).
Since then I have been reflecting on the thought and the seasons of my life when things were a bit crazy. God does tend to show Himself a bit more when we are desperate. Maybe desperate in the spirit should become a way of life.
Amen! God knows me. HE is always reminding me of his grace. My eyes and heart need to be reminded of this daily. I love Romans 8: 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.