Naomi was a widow with two grown sons.  She was from Bethlehem in Judah. Because of a famine, the decision was made to move to the Moab area. Eventually, her sons found Moabite women to marry. One son, married Ruth (Moabites were pagans worshiping Chemosh).  If you are familiar with this story, the widow, Naomi, then faces the death of both of her sons.  It is now a family consisting of the two daughters-in-law and Naomi.  Naomi decides to go back to her people in Judah. One daughter-in-law stays with her family in Moab and Ruth decides to follow her mother-in-law back to Judah. Ruth 1: 16-17 “Don’t force me to leave you; don’t make me go home. Where you go, I go; and where you live, I’ll live. Your people are my people, your God is my god; where you die, I’ll die, and that’s where I’ll be buried, so help me God—not even death itself is going to come between us!”

        In Judah, Ruth works the fields, gleaning them after the harvesters have finished.  The fields belong to Boaz.  After time, Boaz inquires about the young woman gleaning in his barley fields.  Even the townspeople speak of the “noble woman” working in the fields of Boaz. “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies” (Prov. 31:10)  Boaz takes note of Ruth, they meet, eventually marry and have a son, Obed. (Obed becomes father of Jesse and Jesse the father of David).

        Are we noble? Humble? Willing to follow God? His unconditional love for us should draw us into His arms.  Study His word.  Learn of Him and those who went before us.  The story of Naomi, Ruth and Boaz is from 1000 BC.  God stirred the newly widowed Ruth, to follow Naomi, learn of God’s ways and she was blessed to meet another man to love her.  Their union brought them the blessings of Obed.  God’s will for us is always highest and BEST!  Follow Him!

Jill