It’s hard to believe how close we are coming to the end of this year, the reading plan, and my commitment to share my thoughts here on this platform. In November we’re reading through the book of Ruth. Like Esther, Ruth is filled with rich beautiful characters whose actions inspire and challenge us to be more Christlike. Closing out the year will be an advent reading plan and our thoughts will turn toward 2024. Just like that. I am confident that God has been using this time spent in His word this year in your life as He has in mine. He is always at work.
The backdrop
Ruth 1:1 gives us the foundation from which to begin building this short, Old Testament book. It is set in Israel’s period of the Judges, but separated from the historical book with that title. Interesting huh? The period of the Judges lasts about 450 years and is sandwiched between the time that Joshua led Israel into the land promised to them by God. A time when the people were devoted to God, obedient to Him, and blessed richly versus the time when Israel defiantly demanded to be led by an earthly King. This interum is aptly defined in Judges 21:25 “All the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.”
The cycle
Further, it is notable to recognize the clear, repetitive cycle of behavior described throughout the book of Judges.
- Israel turns away from God to serve other gods.
- God removes His blessing and pagan nations take over.
- Israel repents.
- God raises up a judge (a person who can lead them back to righteousness and out of trouble.
- Israel is restored.
Something to think about.
Ruth
In the midst of the chaos in the nation, towns, cities, villages, countryside in families, clans, and tribes Israel’s faith was blowing this way and that. But God had a plan. The fickle actions of His people did not stop Him.
This brings us to a family, Elimelech his wife Naomi, and two sons fled the famine leaving Bethlehem and moving to Moab. The boys married women there and when they probably thought life was going to be okay again, tragedy struck.
LESSONS
#1 God is at work.
Can you relate to the setting?
Is the world around you “doing whatever is right in their own eyes?” It sure sounds and looks very familiar to me. But here is the good news.
Naomi and Ruth had NO IDEA what God was doing through them to lead humanity to a Savior during the chaos and tragedy that they were living through.
Likewise, while there may be chaos, there may or may not be tragedy, but there is most definitely a defiant attitude toward God and a disregard for what He is doing.
How can we grow through this time?
ACTION: TRUST HIM AND JOIN HIM IN HIS PLAN.
We’ll see this point play out through the remaining chapters but for now, the undeniable truth is that God set Ruth’s story apart from the Judges, although it could have been tucked right in among the rest. It is set apart as a shimmering reminder that even when the world isn’t paying attention, God is working His plan, and knowing that He’s called us to make a spiritual difference in people’s lives we can be a part of what He’s doing!
#2 God loves you more.
Do you find your life cycling toward God and away from God over and over again?
Do you see the continued blessing you’re missing? Do you see how easily the gods you’re surrounded by affect you and begin to steer you away from the Lord?
They (Israel) didn’t see it. Even when they were warned. Even when they had experienced the power and presence of God. They were absorbed in the moment. Pulled by the gravity of everything they were surrounded with.
We are no different. Our gods are not little statues and poles of wood and metal. Our gods are position, status, entertainment, things, popularity, comfort — we simply have to look at our bank statement and calendar to identify our gods. All that keeps us from the wholehearted worship of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
None of it loves you like God does. None of it blesses, fulfills, and fuels you like following Christ does.
How can we stop or slow the cycle?
ACTION: CYCLE BACK TO GOD AND LEAVE YOUR BIKE BEHIND.
In other words, choose God first, and don’t stop choosing Him. It’s not a one-time decision. It’s not a quick and simple fix, but a lifestyle of pursuing God over everyone and every thing else.
If you want someone to walk with you, contact me.