City Life Starter

The Word

Ruth 1:15-16 (NIV)

15 “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.”

 16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” 18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.

 Psalm 85:10-11 (NIV)

10 Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.

11 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.

Reflection Questions:

1. When meeting people from all walks of life, do I treat ladies as well as a sister / older ladies as a mother, and treat men as brothers or as fathers?

2. Both male and female; do I regard everyone as created in God’s image and likeness?

By Jason Scherzer

Naomi in the book Ruth was the mother-in-law, who had lost her husband and both of her sons. She had only her 2 daughters in law remaining. The daughter in law Ruth, not a Jew by birth, was exceptionally honorable in her covenant with Naomi and her people. The other daughter in law, Orpah, did just what could be expected, returning to her own people after her husband had passed away. No one could fault her for that.

Ruth, however, saw something exceptional about Naomi’s people and their God. She would not leave Naomi even though she had nothing at all to offer Ruth. Naomi was well along in years, and even if she could remarry, have more sons, and raise them, it would require a lifetime which would be too long for Ruth to wait for a husband. Naomi sized up her own situation as having practically no benefit at all for Ruth.

God had stepped in, almost unseen, acting to attract Ruth, a woman whose people worshipped idols. Ruth saw the difference in the character of the people, and refused to let go. One small part undoubtedly motivated by her love for her mother in law, and a very large part motivated by the desire to know God. Ruth treated Naomi as a true mother and showed real courage in leaving her own people.

Application:

The Gospel of Jesus Christ changes the way we view God and the way we view people. They are no longer a project or a means to an end. Instead, each person is a sister or brother, son or daughter, or mother / father. The Gospel puts in perspective what relationship looks like when God is restoring all things.

Prayer:

Lord, You are the Creator and Master of all of us, and as You are God; we are not. You made us male and female to reflect your image and your likeness. Give us the wisdom to live peacefully and joyfully with each other as You intend and to make Your glory known as we relate to both brothers and sisters. In Jesus’ name, Amen.