Day 4- Ruth 1:14-22

Day 4 – Ruth 1:14-22

 Opening Prayer: Father, make me a loyal follower of Christ. Give me the same heart for Jesus that Ruth had for Naomi.

Read: Ruth 1:14-22

In your 4R journal:

• Record: After reading this short story, what verse stood out to you?
• Respond: Write a short prayer of praise in response to what God has shown you.

What a beautiful love relationship Ruth had with her daughters-in-law! Ruth turned to the young women and prayed over them, “Go back,” She pleads. Ruth thought she had nothing to offer them that they couldn’t receive from their own mothers. But she did have something to offer––her love and her God. And she gave it in the blessing, “May the Lord show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me. May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband” (Ruth 1:8-8 NIV).

Reflection:

• Share a time when you felt you had nothing to offer.
• How did God reveal Himself in the situation?

My Verse: Ruth 1:16b, “For where you go, I will go and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God, my God.”

My Response: Father, give me the same spirit of love, submission, and devotion to You that Ruth had for Naomi, and forgive me when I question Your ways.

Orpah and Ruth both desired to stay with Naomi but Ruth clung to her mother-in-law and was unwilling to return to Moab. Even after Naomi urged both young women to return, return, return, Ruth remained. But Orpah went, “back to her people and her gods” (Ruth 1:15). This is a picture of choice. Ultimately, it wasn’t Naomi Orpah rejected, it was God.

In contrast, Ruth declared, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go, I will go, where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God, my God” (Ruth 1:16 NIV). Wow! Ruth addressed every argument Naomi had for them to return to Moab and shut her down. Then, Ruth concludes with, “Thus, the LORD do to me and worse if anything but death parts you and me” (Ruth 1:17b). Doesn’t that sound like a wedding vow? Ruth, directed by God, was steadfast in her devotion and there was nothing Naomi could say that would make her leave her side.

Reflection:

• Have you ever felt such devotion to another person?
• If so, how did you express your love?

Finally, verse 19 finds Ruth and Naomi home in Bethlehem. What an uproar they caused! All the city was stirred because of them… I can’t imagine what the women thought when Ruth showed up with a Moabitess as a daughter-in-law. Nevertheless, when they heard the story, I’m sure they were moved with compassion and maybe even a bit of admiration.

I do think it’s comical that Naomi shares her disappointment and bitterness as soon as she arrives home. “Call me Mara,” she says. “The Lord has dealt bitterly with me” (Ruth 1:20).

She continues, “I went out full, but the Lord has brought me back empty” (Ruth 1:21).

Reflection:

• Write about a time when you felt empty.
• How did God fill you?

Ultimately, the first chapter ends with a quick note about the time of year. It so happened that it was at the beginning of the barley harvest when Naomi and Ruth arrived in Bethlehem.

Why is the significant? Because it was leading up to Passover! How perfect! (If you’re curious, see Leviticus 23)

“May the Lord reward your work and may your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.” (Ruth 2:12 NASB)

The next step:

When the Spirit leads, in the comment section below, chose a response to share:

• Share a time when you felt you had nothing to offer.
• How did God reveal Himself in the situation?
• Have you ever felt such devotion to another person?
• If so, how did you express your love?
• Write about a time when you felt empty.
• How did God fill you?

Or

• Share your 4R Response