Lessons from Ruth: A Choice, a Plan, a Promise.

I don’t understand all the aspects of GOD’S Nature. I just must believe that GOD always does what HIS Nature determines. HE can do nothing against HIS Nature. With that thought in mind, lets quickly review the plan GOD had for all of us. Centuries before the events of Ruth, there was a man named Jacob. You know, the guy who had twelve sons. Before he died, the Bible says, “Then Jacob called his sons and said, “Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you what shall happen to you in days to come.” When Jacob got to his son Judah we read, “Judah, your brothers shall praise you;” (Gen 49) He also promised, “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,” I don’t think Jacob knew how this was all going to come about, but the kingly line of Judah did happen. As part of that plan there was a man of Judah, named Elimelech and a kinsman named Boaz. Another part of that plan was found in a Moabite woman named Ruth. Why was Elimelech’s choice to move to Moab instead of some other place? Why did his countrymen stay behind? Why hadn’t his sons married Israelite women? Why did his sons choose women who were not of their own tribe, not even their own nationality, which was greatly frowned upon. How did his sons die? Why did his daughter-in-law refuse to leave Naomi, her mother-in-law? How did they happen to be in the right place at the right time for the widow Ruth to marry Boaz and have a grandson who becomes a King? Had GOD been working in them somehow? All I know is that this was all a part of GOD’S Divine plan. Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “For MY thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways MY ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are MY ways higher than your ways and MY thoughts than your thoughts.” Our job is to trust HIM and rejoice that are part of HIS Promise and Plan in CHRIST, our Choice to follow.

Russell Ashby