“Once upon a time—it was back in the days when judges led Israel—there was a famine in the land. A man from Bethlehem in Judah left home to live in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. The man’s name was Elimelech; his wife’s name was Naomi; his sons were named Mahlon and Kilion—all Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They all went to the country of Moab and settled there.
Elimelech died and Naomi was left, she and her two sons. The sons took Moabite wives; the name of the first was Orpah, the second Ruth. They lived there in Moab for the next ten years. But then the two brothers, Mahlon and Kilion, died. Now the woman was left without either her young men or her husband.
One day she got herself together, she and her two daughters-in-law, to leave the country of Moab and set out for home; she had heard that God had been pleased to visit his people and give them food. And so she started out from the place she had been living, she and her two daughters-in-law with her, on the road back to the land of Judah.
After a short while on the road, Naomi told her two daughters-in-law, “Go back. Go home and live with your mothers. And may God treat you as graciously as you treated your deceased husbands and me. May God give each of you a new home and a new husband!” She kissed them and they cried openly.
They said, “No, we’re going on with you to your people.”
But Naomi was firm: “Go back, my dear daughters. Why would you come with me? Do you suppose I still have sons in my womb who can become your future husbands? Go back, dear daughters—on your way, please! I’m too old to get a husband. Why, even if I said, ‘There’s still hope!’ and this very night got a man and had sons, can you imagine being satisfied to wait until they were grown? Would you wait that long to get married again? No, dear daughters; this is a bitter pill for me to swallow—more bitter for me than for you. God has dealt me a hard blow.”
Again, they cried openly. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye; but Ruth embraced her and held on.
Naomi said, “Look, your sister-in-law is going back home to live with her own people and gods; go with her.”
But Ruth said, “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!”
Ruth 1:1-16 MSG
This was said of the Corinthian church: “Therefore, you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ”. 1 Corinthians 7-8
That’s an amazing statement; this church operated in all the nine gifts of the Spirit. The utterance gifts, prophecy, different kinds of tongues, interpretation of tongues, the power gifts, faith, gifts of healing, the working of miracles and the revelation gifts, word of knowledge, wisdom and discerning of spirits.
God was speaking through His church, doing things through His church and revealing things through His church. How many churches today can honestly make that statement?
The manifest presence of God was operating in their midst; however, their own behaviour was of the flesh, the carnal man. There was strife, arguments, sexual immorality, lawsuits brought against each other, abuse of the Lord’s supper and of the gifts. Yet despite all of that, God continued to use them. This wasn’t just a leadership problem but of the whole body.
So often we believe that only someone in lleadership or the mature Christian, the Bible scholar, the ‘super spiritual’ ones will be used by God. However, if we read the whole book of Corinthians carefully, we discover that the whole body was involved in the ministry.
They were ‘doers of the word’ and God’s grace covered their lack.
Am I saying that God turns a blind eye to our behaviour? No He doesn’t; remember that the goings on in the Corinthian church came to the attention of Paul. He had to rebuke them and remind them of the teachings that they had already had and then teach them all over again!
God isn’t looking for ability, but he is looking for availability!
These individuals had character flaws, they lacked moral strength, integrity, honesty and trustworthiness.
We all have character flaws as well as having strengths. I never liked to deal with difficult situations that would involve confrontation. It was easier to leave it to someone else to deal with or hope that it went away!
Over the years I have allowed the Holy Spirit to change my character in this area and now it’s not a weakness.
The Bible tells us that: “ By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvellous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.” 2 Peter 1:3-4
The onus is on us, to find out through the Word, what God’s nature is like and then allow the Holy Spirit to work out that change in us, thus conforming to His likeness day by day.
The times I’ve heard the saying, “A leopard can’t change its spots,” implies that the person will never change. Sadly, this has proved to be true in the lives of too many people, saint and sinner alike!
This doesn’t need to be the case any longer, providing that we recognise our need to change, identify the areas requiring change and then allow the Holy Spirit to work the word out in our lives. To become more Godlike needs the help of the Holy Spirit; if we think we can achieve this on our own we have become blinded by pride!
As we now look at three characters from the book of Ruth, no doubt we will see similarities in ourselves, our strengths and weaknesses. From these women we can learn to avoid some of the pitfalls that lead to failure and apply the truths that lead to success.
All of us need change in some areas of our lives, and for some that may mean minor adjustments, whilst for others that might mean major surgery!
“Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.” Proverbs 22:1
Naomi, despite living in a foreign land, maintained a godly lifestyle that had a positive effect upon Ruth and Orpah, her daughters in law. However, right at the beginning of the book of Ruth, a decision was made that ended in disaster - a decision based on what was happening around them. Fear set in, and famine led them to pack up and leave their home. They knew that there was food in Moab, so reason told them to pack up and leave. They allowed their circumstances to dictate their actions.
The Holy Spirit didn’t get a look in! This is an area we all need to guard against. On the surface it looked like they made a wise decision, yet if they had asked the Holy Spirit things would have worked out differently.
When we are faced with having to make major decisions, a lot of time and tears could be avoided if we asked the Lord first.
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth, He’s our helper. If only we would ask His help first, we would avoid so much heartache.
The man you are about to marry, have you consulted the Lord? Is he the right one for you? He may be great fun, but what is his character like?
That job that you’ve applied for, is it suitable for you, have you asked the Lord? Is divorce really the answer? We always want an answer right away, like yesterday, but a fruit of the Spirit is patience.
Finding God’s will for your situation can take time and effort. We need to put ourselves in a position to hear from God. Turn the TV off, get your Bible out and fellowship with the Holy Spirit.
Their second mistake was that by allowing their sons to marry foreign women, they were breaking God’s law. Deuteronomy 7:3. The Lord always wants to bless us and if we aren’t blessed it’s never the Lord’s fault. Sometimes we don’t recognise our blessings and lack thankfulness!
Within ten years Elimelech and his sons died. Naomi in her ignorance blamed God. This is a common mistake made by many people causing them to go to pieces and walk away from the Lord.
Naomi was a mature woman who recognised her failings, didn’t let them destroy her and knew that the only one who could get her out of this mess was the Lord.
We all fail at some things throughout our lives. It doesn’t make us a failure, but how we handle it may determine our future success.
Are you big enough to confess that you’ve made a mistake? Repent and acknowledge your need of divine assistance. One of the qualities I admire most and respect in a person is their ability to say, ‘I got it wrong, I missed God, but I’m going to get it right next time.’ Also, are you big enough to say ‘sorry’ and to endeavour to put things right? Our decisions, good or bad, will always have an effect on others.
God didn’t write Naomi off! He turned the situation around for good.
Mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationships can often be difficult, especially when different cultures and beliefs are involved. It’s usually the girl’s mother who has the greatest influence upon her. However, such must have been Naomi’s wisdom and love that resulted in both of her daughters-in-law's love for her. Ruth so loved Naomi that she refused to leave her and accepted her God.
Naomi decided to go home, back to where the Lord was. She could have spent her remaining years recounting her problems, wallowing in self-pity. Instead she set about putting the Word to work in her situation.
Naomi knew that Ruth being her son’s widow, had the right to expect his nearest relative to marry her and redeem his inheritance and produce children for the dead man. As Naomi put the Word to work it produced the desired result; Ruth married Boaz. Naomi received great blessings in her later years.
‘He restores the years that the locusts have eaten’. Joel 2:25
If you have made wrong choices, poor decisions in your life, know for sure that nothing is impossible with God.
Your character can be strengthened by the knowledge that the Word always works.
“It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it”.
Isaiah 55:11
No matter what you are facing, there’s a solution in God’s Word! Time to get your eyes off your problems and look to the Lord. Have the strength of character to put your trust in God despite your circumstances and watch Him work on your behalf.
Orpah too had married one of Naomi’s sons and had a genuine love for her mother-in-law. However, when tragedy struck, Orpah’s character was put to the test. She had to make some life changing decisions. Orpah was now in a position where she had to make a decision for herself.
It’s easy to hide behind a spouse, parent, or friend and allow them to make decisions for us; to blame them when things don’t work out as planned. We shift the blame. In the garden of Eden Adam blamed Eve, Eve blamed the serpent, neither of them wanted to take responsibility for their own actions.
When we walk the middle line and have no definite beliefs and convictions, we have a character flaw, a weakness that sometimes allows others to control or manipulate us. Some will say, ‘Anything to keep the peace’. Often the person who says this does have an opinion but won’t express it for fear of offence or strife.
The same can be said of our relationship with Jesus; while things are going well for us, we confess our love for Him, clap and raise our hands, attend church and have a wonderful time. UNTIL! That ‘until’ may come in the guise of tragedy, hurt, an argument, a failure or an illness.
Orpah, like so many, had heard the Word and seen it lived through Naomi’s Godly lifestyle. However when tragedy struck Naomi announced she was going back to Judea, explaining the situation and encouraging them both to return to their father’s house.
Orpah was only prepared to go so far; the thought of hardship became her deciding factor. She allowed the cares of this world to choke the Word that she had received. Sadly, she didn’t have the strength of character to give her courage to stand up for what she had come to believe.
How far are you and I prepared to go with Jesus? What sort of Christian are we? A settler or a pioneer? Are we prepared to leave our comfort zones? This may be a church, town or nation, or a job, relationship or behaviour. Are we prepared to pay the price and stand up for what we know to be the truth? Will we confront that ungodly behaviour in a family member or fellow believer? Will we speak truth in our places of work, or will we compromise our beliefs to maintain our popularity?
After Orpah made her choice there is no more mention of her. She loved Naomi, but not enough to face the unknown. It was easier for her to go back to her family and familiar surroundings lost in obscurity.
We may love Jesus, but love is an action not a feeling!
Do we have character despite our weaknesses to be a disciple? Are we prepared, despite the unknown or hardships that may be ahead, to be a channel of God’s blessings flowing through us to those in need of help and encouragement, laying aside our desires, fulfilling those of Christ’s in us?
Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye. Sadly, she missed the reality of; “All things work together for good to those who love God.” Romans 8:28
Orpah went back into idolatry, whilst Ruth entered the blessings of God and was named in the genealogy of Jesus!
Naomi hadn’t painted a false, rosy picture of the future to Ruth or Orpah; she told it as it was; bleak, little money, no husbands, and the prospects were not good. No train fare home, no red carpet, no fatted calf. Neither girl could accuse Naomi of manipulating them or using emotional blackmail. On the contrary, she was saying everything to put them off and cause them to return home.
Despite the bleakness that Naomi painted the situation, Ruth clung to her.
But Ruth said, “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!”
Naomi saw a determination in Ruth - there was something in her manner and words that convinced Naomi that Ruth was serious. Therefore, Naomi said no more.
It amazes me how two people will hear the same gospel message but will react in totally different ways. One it inspires and the other fear and unbelief.
Despite what Naomi told Ruth, I believe in her heart Ruth was saying, ‘You’ve told me so much about Jehovah, His power, His grace, His provision, that I believe despite our circumstances He will sort things out’.
No doubt Ruth was apprehensive of her future in a strange land, no family or friends, being a stranger, she was willing to put her faith in Naomi’s God and get out of the boat and walk on the water!
Ruth was a wise young woman. When they arrived in Bethlehem she said nothing, letting Naomi do all the talking. It’s understandable when finding yourself in a strange place or situation to feel the need to establish yourself, which can result in you putting your foot in it! Ruth had the ability to perceive what was required in this situation and act accordingly, thus winning the respect of the community.
Ruth was also adaptable, they had no men to provide for them so Ruth went out to work; she didn’t think it beneath herself to glean from morning till night, toiling in the hot sun in the fields of Boaz. A lesson there for all of us!
You may be thinking what has this to do with my character or being used by the Holy Spirit?
Well, it’s everything to do with it. Jesus washed His disciple’s feet! He came as a servant to serve the body. He gave His life as a ransom. God so loved that He gave, He put actions to His Word.
Our actions of love will speak volumes to others, our actions can love others into God’s Kingdom. We can operate in the gifts but without love we become, like a sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 1 Corinthians 13:1
Ruth’s actions did her talking for her because Boaz was well aware of all that she’d done for Naomi. As a new convert, Ruth had the wisdom to realise that she had a lot to learn, she had a teachable spirit.
I would encourage a new Christian to ask the Holy Spirit for a mentor, someone to help them grow, someone anointed who can pass on their knowledge. It’s great fun to be around someone who is being used by God, someone who exalts Jesus, loves people and wants to teach and train others to minister in the power of the Holy Spirit.
You may be an Ethiopian or a leopard (Jeremiah 13:23) but YOU can change your spots. Obedience to the Word of God will cause your old character, your flesh nature, to conform and change to the character and nature of God, so that you can leave a Godly influence and legacy to future generations and your family.
“God never directs in a way contrary to His character. When the Scripture tells us that He will direct our paths, we can be assured that when He is in control, no matter how thorny the path, He will not tell us to jump off a cliff”. Billy Graham
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