[Proverbs 31 Woman]

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Ruth is a woman of noble character, like the description of the Proverbs 31 woman, except Ruth is a real-life character in which we can learn about how her faith in God helped her overcome numerous obstacles. Ruth’s life was anything but pleasant.

 

Ruth had a faith that persevered through trials and adversities with hope, patience, and diligence. Her faith was a faith that bears all things, believes all things, hopes, all things, and endures all things. She had humility, she was kind, and she had courage. She had a faith that was rooted and grounded in love and the work of Christ (Ephesians 3:17-20).

 

Ruth was a Moabite, who married into the family of Elimelech and Naomi, where they dwelled and made their home in Moab, after a famine in their homeland. While in Moab, Naomi’s husband, Elimelech died. Then, Naomi’s son’s died, one of which was married to Ruth. Naomi knew she could not provide for Ruth and her other daughter in law, Orpah, so she encouraged them to stay in Moab and she would return to her homeland (Ruth 1:13).

 

Ruth decided to stay with Naomi and help provide for her. Ruth had faith in God and trusted Him with her future (Proverbs 31:25). She cast all her cares on Him, for she knew she could find hope, refuge, comfort in Him. She believed God had a plan for her life. In her faithfulness to serve God, and protect and care for her mother in law, Ruth went to work in a barley field belonging to Boaz, who was a relative of Naomi.

 

Boaz noticed Ruth working in his field and he asked a servant about the young woman, so the servant explained to Boaz about Ruth’s situation. Boaz gave instructions for Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Don’t go in any other field to gather grain, and don’t even leave this one. Stay here with my young women” (Ruth 2:9).

 

Watch where my men are reaping, and follow the young women in that field. I have ordered my young men not to touch you. When you’re thirsty, go to the jars and drink some of the water that the young men have drawn” (Ruth 2:10).

 

Ruth fell on her face and bowed, saying, “Why have I found grace in your eyes, that you should take knowledge of me, seeing that I am a stranger (Ruth 2:10)? Boaz realized Ruth’s devotion to Naomi as part of his extended family, which was noticed by him and moved him with compassion (Ruth 2:11).

 

Gratefulness is an amazing attribute and an example of true virtue. Boaz answered and said, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people you did not know before. May the Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge” (Ruth 2:11-12).

 

Boaz ordered his servants to allow Ruth to gather grain, so Ruth gathered grain in the field (Ruth 2:16-17). Ruth’s appeal to Boaz to redeem her and Naomi out of their poverty and loss of their family (Ruth 3:10).

 

In God’s timing, He turned it all around as a result of Ruth’s obedience and her willingness to remain faithful to her commitment to serve. God saw Ruth’s faithfulness and loyalty towards Naomi, and he rewarded her greatly. Eventually, Ruth became the wife of Boaz. We can learn so much from Ruth. Ruth was loyal and was a woman of fearless faith!

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