Bible in a Year: Ruth

Monday - Ruth Chapter 1

The Book of Ruth is a sequel (if you don’t mind using a modern term) to the Book of Judges. In Judges, everyone did what they wanted because they worshipped idols instead of God. Because of this, some truly horrible things happened. In Ruth, however, we see a completely different society. One that worships God, thanks God and prays for God’s blessings. The results are wonderful. Like so many other events in the Bible, a famine caused hardship on the people. It was a famine that drove Abraham to Egypt and a famine that brought Jacob and his family back to Joseph. After every famine (both in the physical world and spiritual world) there is always a time of thanksgiving. In Ruth, nearly everyone gives thanks to God.

Tuesday - Ruth Chapter 2

There is a traditional greeting in many churches. As the pastor gets up before the congregation they say, “The Lord be with you.” The congregation then responds, “And also with you.” For many, this traditional greeting has become a formality, devoid of the love it was intended to convey. The meaning of the phrase is all about love. It’s about the love a shepherd has over their workers. We get that phrase from Ruth 2:4. It’s meant to be a greeting to remind us that God’s favor is always with us, even when we don’t realize it. And it also tells us that meaningful, healthy relationships always start with God. Today, I want you to hear the most important words I can ever write. “The Lord be with you, my friends.”

Wednesday - Ruth Chapter 3

When there’s nothing left in life to hope for, that’s when we pray for the impossible. Naomi and Ruth had nothing else in life to hope for. Because of their hard luck, Naomi had turned into a bitter person. Ruth was a stranger in a strange land and didn’t know the customs of the people around her. They relied upon the kindness of strangers and had resigned themselves to a bitter, lonely life. In the midst of their despair, a plan popped into their mind. It would probably not work. There was no reason for it to work. People might even get upset and mad, but this plan was born by the inspiration of God. Ruth boldly told Boaz what she and Naomi wanted in life. Miracle upon miracle. Boaz wanted the same thing. No plan is too crazy when blessed by God.

Thursday - Ruth Chapter 4

Ruth did not have the privilege of being born into God’s chosen people. She was not from Israel and had been raised in a land that worshiped idols. But the moment that she heard about God, Ruth dedicated her life to following this great God of the Hebrews. As she followed the moral laws of God and met the men and women chosen by God, Ruth wanted to become like them. A gentile by birth was reborn into a child of God, not by any kind of predestination, but by choice and faith. Because of her faith, Ruth became the great-grandmother of King David and an ancestor to Jesus Christ. The effects of faith in God’s goodness doesn’t just last a few years, it continues for generations!

Friday - Free Day

The Book of Ruth began with a famine. But it ended with a harvest. In between, there was a lot of life going on. Death of loved ones; bitterness at the world; depression about the future. But the one great lesson we can learn is that God will use the faithfulness of ordinary, everyday people to accomplish great things in this world. In between our own famines and harvests, life still happens. How we choose to lead our lives will always determine the amount of joy we receive from the harvest. Everyone is going through some kind of famine right now. During your struggles, remain faithful to God. Pray, read the word and be encouraged that God is always working for our good and the joy of the harvest is coming soon.