There are many women the Bible speaks well of. I’m glad we still have their stories with us today. I wonder who this month’s theme brings to mind for you?
Maybe the brave Queen Esther, who risked her own life to save the lives of her people. She lived during a time when even queens were expected to be submissive, yet she was willing to sacrifice her personal safety to protect the Jewish population. Her courage was inspiring.
Does your mind wander to the New Testament, to the humble mother of Jesus, or the hospitable Lydia? Mary accepted God’s plan for her life even when it looked drastically different from her own, and Lydia responded to the gospel with an open heart, welcoming fellow believers into her home.
One woman who stands out to me in particular is someone who faced great tragedy. She was not only courageous but incredibly loyal. In the face of disaster, she dared to hope in God, and He did not let her down.
Ruth endured the loss of her husband and subsequently found herself without a provider. When encouraged to stay in her homeland and remarry, she passionately insisted that she would not leave the side of her mother-in-law, who was also a widow.
These two vulnerable, grieving women made the journey together from Moab to Bethlehem – a trip that would take one week at minimum. Young Ruth clung to Naomi and vowed to stay with her for the rest of her life, forsaking the land and gods she grew up with and embracing the God of Israel.
She had the opportunity to stay with what was familiar, to spare herself a long and potentially dangerous journey. Yet Ruth displayed an astounding level of compassion for and devotion to Naomi.
Ruth said: “Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.”
Ruth 1:16-17 NKJV
They arrive at harvest time and even after having her life uprooted, we see Ruth maintain a most beautiful attitude. She works long hours in the field, speaks politely with the other workers, and eventually meets the owner of the field, bowing low out of both respect and deep gratitude (Ruth 2:10).
As we read her story, it is wonderfully heartwarming to see her flourish in her new home. Ruth finds love again and bears a son (Ruth 4:13-22). The book ends by revealing that Jesus is a direct descendant of Ruth.
And there we have an absolutely beautiful account of a young woman who turned to the Lord and showed extraordinary kindness despite her own heartache. God blessed her, turning her sorrow into joy and exchanging devastation for abundance.
I know what it’s like to move to a different country and start over. It would have been even harder for Ruth than for me in modern times. But I’ve seen firsthand what God can do with even a little faith.
So, as I reflect on these notable women of the past and how the Lord lead them on their unique journeys, I know that anything is possible for those who believe. And I shall always remember this incredible, young Moabitess who stepped out in faith and became a daughter of God.
WRITER: Stephanie Davies, attends Oasis SDA Church in Victoria.