Ruth 1:16(NIV)
But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.
On the second Wednesday of Advent, we remember Ruth.
The ornament for today should represent Ruth’s faithfulness (grain).
The story of Ruth is found in the book of Ruth in the Old Testament. It is a story of love, loyalty, and redemption.
Ruth was a Moabite woman who married into an Israelite family while they were living in Moab. After her husband and father-in-law died, she chose to stay with her mother-in-law, Naomi, and accompany her back to Israel. Despite the challenges they faced as widows, Ruth remained loyal to Naomi and committed to caring for her.
Once they arrived in Israel, Ruth worked in the fields to provide for herself and Naomi. She caught the eye of Boaz, a wealthy landowner who showed kindness and favor towards her. Boaz eventually married Ruth and redeemed Naomi's family line by providing an heir.
From this story, we can learn several important lessons. Firstly, it teaches us about the power of loyalty and selflessness. Ruth chose to stay with Naomi and care for her, even though it would have been easier for her to return to her own family. It reminds us that we should value the relationships we have with others and be willing to sacrifice for their well-being.
Furthermore, the story teaches us about the power of redemption. Boaz redeemed Naomi's family line by marrying Ruth and providing an heir. This act of redemption brought hope and restoration to Naomi's family. It reminds us that God is a God of redemption who can bring restoration and healing to our lives.
Overall, the story of Ruth teaches us about the power of loyalty, selflessness, hard work, determination, kindness, generosity, and redemption. It encourages us to value our relationships with others, work hard towards our goals, show kindness and generosity towards those around us, and trust in God's ability to bring restoration to our lives.
For further reading, check out Naomi and Ruth in the book of Ruth.