Ruth Article

The Following is a guest article written by Emily Anderson. Emily is a member at Wazeecha and has two theological degrees, one from The Baptist University of Florida and the other from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. We are grateful for her expertise in the Old Testament book of Ruth which she shares with us: 

Happy Valentine’s Day! On a day when many of us embrace the tradition of honoring those we love and the love that we have for one another, I think that it’s definitely fitting to look within Scripture for a passage that highlights love done well. Now, most, if not all, of you are probably thinking that I talking about what has been coined “The Love Chapter” or 1 Corinthians 13. However, there is an Old Testament story in Scripture that teaches us about the beauty, strength, and determination of love – the book of Ruth. Within this short four-chapter book, is the story of a woman who survives a shocking amount of grief, but is restored to joy through the Providence and the love of God exhibited through a relentlessly, loving daughter-in-law. 

Many times, when we look at the book of Ruth, we see a romantic love story about a foreign woman and an Israelite man. However, when we do that, we completely miss the beautifully inspiring story behind the story. We miss the fact that the reason why Ruth becomes a part of the lineage of Christ is because she first loved her mother-in-law and refused to leave her side when she needed her most. It is this pure, relentless, selfless love that birthed the famous speech that is quoted at countless weddings and proposals. It is this unwavering commitment to loving her mother-in-law through her darkest and most difficult season that Ruth exemplifies how we are to love others. 

In chapter one alone, Ruth exhibits three crucial elements of how to truly love someone through an exceedingly difficult time. 

1. Love is present. – Instead of parting with her mother-in-law, Naomi, after the death of her husband, Ruth remains with Naomi. Sometimes simply making it clear that you are there for someone is all that they need to keep going.
2. Love is committed. – When Naomi decides to leave Moab and return to Judah, Ruth commits herself to leaving her home of Moab to sojourn to Judah. Ruth is willing to sacrifice her home, her people, and her culture and become a foreigner in another land in order to love and care for her mother-in-law. When people we love are struggling to survive seasons of extreme despair, it is crucial that we ensure that they know that we are committed to being there for them in tangible ways. 
3. Love is relentless. -  When Naomi was so desperate to push Ruth – the last member of her family away – that she was willing to encourage Ruth to return to a life of idolatry so that in isolation she could allow her grief to consume her, Ruth delivered her famous speech and made it abundantly clear to Naomi that she would support and love her right by her side even in death. When those we love are pushing us away, then is when they especially need us to push back, relentlessly, in love.

As we enjoy our Valentine’s Day, may we remember Ruth and the beautifully stubborn example she lived out of love.