Today’s Devotion
Topic: Lessons From Young Ruth To All Young People!
(Self Assessment)
Background: The story of Noami was a sad one. She lost her husband and sons in succession a foreign land. Feeling depressed and lonely, she decides to go back to her country and people. However, Ruth, one of her two daughters-in-law sacrificed her life to accompany her. She couldn’t stand the idea that Naomi would go through anymore trauma all by herself in her homeland.
Back in the land of Israel, Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side, a man of standing from the clan of Elimelek, whose name was Boaz. And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favour.” Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.” So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek.
Let us now get into our Bible study to discover the many wonderful blessings that come our way just for sticking with a dear one through their difficult times. And also the favour a young person can win by sticking to the elderly, regardless of their individual struggle, and listening to advice.
Text: Ruth 2: 4- 13
4 Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters, “The Lord be with you!” “The Lord bless you!” they answered.
5 Boaz asked the overseer of his harvesters, “Who does that young woman belong to?” 6 The overseer replied, “She is the Moabite who came back from Moab with Naomi. 7 She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves behind the harvesters.’ She came into the field and has remained here from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter.”
8 So Boaz said to Ruth, “My daughter, listen to me. Don’t go and glean in another field and don’t go away from here. Stay here with the women who work for me. 9 Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the women. I have told the men not to lay a hand on you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled.”
10 At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favour in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?”
11 Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband — how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. 12 May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”
13 “May I continue to find favour in your eyes, my lord,” she said. “You have put me at ease by speaking kindly to your servant — though I do not have the standing of one of your servants.” Amen
Questions:
i. Bible didn’t say much, but in your opinion, what could be some of the reasons that made Ruth stay with Naomi, even when it was obvious the latter had nothing to offer her in return?
ii. Back in Israel, Ruth came up with an initiative to go and pick leftover from fields that would be kind enough to employ her (a foreigner). This was her way to help them out of hunger and shame. However, instead of making that a singular decision, she rather discussed first with Naomi for her blessing. What does this tell us about the character of Ruth and what is the lesson here for all young people who are full of ambition, ideas, drive and initiative?
iii. Kindly read verse 4 again. What do you think about the greetings between Boaz and his workers? What does it tell you about the relationship they shared with him? What can we learn from this to enhance the bond we share with others?
iv. Read verses 5- 11 again. What can you say were the qualities that won Ruth favour in the sight of Boaz? Was her association with Naomi’s story also a factor? If so, please explain how.
v. From verses 12 and 13, is it not amazing that the one person with all the authority to mistreat Ruth for the mere fact that he owns the farm, is the same blessing her and putting her at ease? He has also instructed others to be kind to her. How wonderful can this be?
vi. What can we learn from this study; the sad story of Naomi and the determination of Ruth to walk them out of hunger, poverty and shame?
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