Ruth was a young woman. But in her short years, she had suffered much grief, as her father-in-law, brother-in-law and husband had all died. However, she had a mother-in-law named Naomi who served God faithfully and who loved her two daughters-in-law very deeply.
Due to widespread famine in Moab, Noami decided that she should return to her country in the land of Judah where the famine was not present. She encouraged Ruth and her other daughter-in-law to stay behind in their homeland of Moab.
Ruth, however, chose to follow Naomi to Bethlehem in the land of Judah. Ruth’s words to Naomi were, “Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.” (Ruth 1:16 KJV)
After arriving in the land of Judah, Naomi urged Ruth to glean in the fields of her husband’s kinsman, Boaz, and, ever submissive to Naomi, Ruth went out to glean in Boaz’s fields.
Ruth's submission to Naomi ultimately led to marriage between Boaz and Ruth, and their lineage ultimately included King David, who was in the lineage of Joseph, the man who would go on to raise Jesus as his own son.
Is the Lord calling you to go to a place you have never been? If so, answer “yes” to God’s voice, because just like in Ruth’s life, He has a special plan for your life. It is only by submitting to God’s authority and will for your life that He will accomplish through you what He has planned for your life!
