The book of Ruth is a beautiful love story taking place during a sad time in the history of the Jews. It was written during the time of the judges, when the Bible tells us "every man did that which was right in his own eyes."

God’s grace is clearly demonstrated once more in His dealing with the Jews. Every time they sinned against God and worshipped idols, they experienced punishment instead of blessing, and would call upon God to help them. God would answer their prayers and provide judges to lead them, but the Jews would repeat the same mistake again.

During this time there was a famine in the land, and Elimelech, with his family, decided to go to Moab until it was over. A short time after they got there Elimelech died, leaving his wife Naomi and two sons. It is interesting to note, that his two sons married after his death. Not long after that both sons died, leaving Naomi with her two daughters-in-law.

It is helpful to notice that it is not circumstances that make or break an individual, but what one decides to do with the circumstances. The worst thing Naomi could have done was to feel sorry for herself. Psychiatrists tell us that most mental problems start when people have self pity and start focusing on themselves. The people that reverse that and desire to help others in need, are the ones that benefit the most. The Bible tells us, "He that finds his life shall lose it: and he that loses his life for My sake shall find it." (Matt. 1O:39).

From Genesis to Revelation, God has His remnant in every dispensation, and no matter what the circumstances, we see the proof of His faithfulness. We are living in a world that has ruled God out of its thinking and, as a result, we are seeing an age that can be described in one word..."selflsh." Daily we hear of seniors being abandoned by their children at hospitals. More and more babies are being aborted, and we are now hearing from the media, "the children you don’t abort are the ones that are going to kill you when you are too old to be productive." Dear believer, the Word of God tells us to lift up our heads and rejoice. He will never leave us nor forsake us. "He that dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." (Psalm 9l:1).

Ruth is one of my favorite Old Testament characters and the heroine of this book, but I appreciated Naomi in a new way when I studied the story again. The Bible tells us "Love never fails," (1 Cor. 13:8) and Naomi’s love for her daughters-in-law resulted in Ruth desiring to worship the same God that Naomi worshipped. My parents told me that in the Middle East it was customary for the son, when he married, to continue living in his father’s house. I have known very few women to live together happily when they have to share the same kitchen. Ruth did not just tolerate Naomi, but wanted to spend the rest of her life on earth in her presence. When Naomi heard that the famine was over, she decided to return to her own country. As she said good-bye to Orpah and Ruth, they both refused to be parted from her. She was able to persuade Orpah to go back to her mother’s house, but Ruth clung to her and insisted on going with her. Jim teases me about my being immature because I really love a story that has a happy ending. I am so glad the story of Ruth ends with Ruth happily married to one of the most honorable men in town, and Naomi is the nursemaid for their son, who turns out to be David’s great-grandfather and a direct ancestor of our Lord Jesus Christ.