Day 12

But Ruth said, “Do not press me to go back and abandon you! Ruth 1:16

Ruth is another woman mentioned by Matthew in Jesus's genealogy! We learn about Ruth in the "Book of Ruth" in the Bible. Early on, her story is filled with grief. Among other men, Ruth's husband and father-in-law tragically die, leaving her and her mother-in-law, Naomi, alone. In those days, it was very hard to be a widow. Women weren't treated equally to men as they are today. In ancient times, women had to rely on men for food and shelter. Ruth and Naomi knew they were in a bad situation! As they made their way to Naomi's hometown of Bethlehem, Naomi worried that she would not provide what they both needed to survive. Thinking Ruth would have a better life elsewhere, Naomi tried to convince Ruth to return to her hometown of Moab, leaving her behind. In Moab, Ruth would be returning to her pagan family. (Pagans denied there was one true God and worshiped many false gods called idols.) 

Ruth wouldn't hear of it! Ruth loved Naomi and knew that, as an older widow, she was vulnerable and needed someone by her side. With a heart full of love for her mother-in-law and a love for the God of Israel, Ruth pledged to stay by Naomi's side. She said, "Do not plead with me to leave you or to turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you sleep, I will sleep. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God." How full of love Naomi must have felt! 

After a time, Ruth met Boaz, a pious and wealthy distant relative of Naomi's husband. Boaz truly cared for the well-being of Ruth and Naomi. He loved Ruth and married her, securing her future. Ruth and Boaz had a baby, Obed. This makes Ruth the great-grandmother of David and an ancestor of Jesus!

Ruth showed selfless love when she chose to stay and care for the widowed Naomi rather than flee to her homeland, where her future seemed more certain. Ruth reminds us that honoring one's dignity means we must care for others even when it feels hard or the future is unknown. God always provides for those who love one another well.