the rambling missionary

by erika haveman

Why is the book of Ruth actually included in the Bible?  A lot of people would say, “Well Ruth is such a great example of woman in love with a holy man!” or, “We can learn about dating and romance – just look at Ruth and Boaz!” or, “God wanted to give us an example of brokenness and bitterness turned into joy through Naomi’s story!”  While all of these are good, plausible things to consider, I would dare to suggest that the reason this book is included in Scriptures is to explain one thing: 1 Samuel 22:3-4.

“And David went from there to Mizpeh of Moab. And he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and my mother stay with you, till I know what God will do for me.” And he left them with the king of Moab, and they stayed with him all the time that David was in the stronghold.”

I know, I know – not the idealistic, dreamy, Boaz-Ruth epic you were thinking.  But the book of Ruth justifies why David was not killed in Mizpeh some number of years later – families of Judah and Moab were distantly related.  The book of Ruth begins by showing us that a Judean family moves to Moab because of a famine.  Famines in the Old Testament aren’t just part of a series of unfortunate events, but rather a direct result of God’s people being disobedient.  Don’t believe me?

““But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord your God or be careful to do all his commandments and his statutes that I command you today, then all these curses shall come upon you and overtake you. Cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you be in the field. Cursed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Cursed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. Cursed shall you be when you come in, and cursed shall you be when you go out.” – Deuteronomey 28:15-19

God’s people (the Israelites) were disobedient, famine came, families fled to lands with food, and intermarried (also something God had said not to do).  But the story of Ruth also proves that God’s desire was and always has been for people of every nation, tribe and tongue to enter in to His great plan of bringing heaven to earth.

Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi in refusing to stay in Moab and instead be absorbed as an outsider into a brand new people group isn’t one of fateful romance.  On the contrary it is likely that Moabite culture would have labelled Ruth as tainted and no longer fit to be someone’s spouse and Ruth would have been stuck begging on the streets or living as a temple prostitute.  A bleak outcome at best.  On the other hand, Israel had laws to take care of orphans, widows and outsiders (Leviticus 19:9-10).  Israelite law also offered the safety of a Levirate Marriage (better known as kinsman redeemer, Deut. 25:5-10).  This law basically says that if a woman’s provider (husband) dies that a brother of the husband is to take care of her.  Naomi is much too old, she feels (Ruth 1:12), to be bothered with such customs, but when Ruth insists on returning with her Naomi realizes that Ruth could yet be provided for by this law.

But the validity of this applying to Ruth rests on one statement of faith:

“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.” – Ruth 1:16b

Ruth accepts and decides to submit to Yahweh, God of Israel. This is the greatness of the story of Ruth.  This is why she is in David’s line.  This is how God orchestrated things so years down the road David’s parents could be safely kept in Mizpeh with David’s relative, the king of Moab.  It’s Ruth’s submission to God that brings her into His family and ultimately establishes her as an ancestor of Jesus.  If Ruth wasn’t willing to deny where she had belonged (Moab) in order to be accepted into a place where she did belong (Israel) then there is nothing significant about her story.

Ladies, life is not about finding your Boaz.  Life is about being willing to submit to a great God.

What areas of your life need submission to God?  What needs to be brought before God and what needs to be left in the land that you no longer belong to?  Your life matters.  Your life is significant.  God is using you for so much more than you can imagine.  I’m sure Ruth had no idea that her submission would eventually lead to the Saviour of the world entering reality and saving us all.

Submission to God is all that matters.