Naomi and Ruth

https://odb.org/2023/12/11/more-than-enough-4

The story of Naomi and Ruth really shows off God’s grace and compassion that despite the misfortune of losing her husband and two sons in their sojourn to a foreign land due to famine, Naomi persevered on in life and returned to Israel. Ruth, a Moabite, followed her mother in law to the latter’s home country to start a new life as a foreigner. Naomi and Ruth didn’t have anything except their clothes on their backs.

But God had a law that required land owners to leave something behind for widows, orphans, and foreigners to glean some leftover wheat to live. In the process, Ruth met Boaz, and he married her, a widow, as her guardian-redeemer. They had a child named Obed who became the father of Jesse, who in turn had David as one of his sons.

Ultimately, it was from the family line of this union of Boaz and Ruth, a foreigner, that Jesus Christ, the saviour of the world, was born. It is an amazing story of God’s compassion and love in challenging times. But in Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz, we find a life lived with integrity and adherence to the law. For example, Boaz, as a wealthy landowner, did not mistreat or take advantage of Ruth, a poor and desolate widow, but treated her with honour and dignity. God, in turn, honoured him.

As much as this is a message of the LORD’s love and compassion, it is also a message on conducting oneself with honour and integrity. We mustn’t take advantage of other people’s dire situation and vulnerability for our own gain. But always conduct ourselves with integrity and honour before God. Do what is right and pay what is rightful. The honour that comes from God is worth much more than the best bargain we may extract from a misfortune.