My Name Is Ruth...

I am a Moabite by birth, a foreigner to the people of Israel.

Dear Believers,

I am Ruth, a woman you may know from the book in the Bible bearing my name. My journey is a tale of loyalty, love, and faith, and through it, I hope to encourage you in your faith walk.

I am a Moabite by birth, a foreigner to the people of Israel. I married Mahlon, son of Naomi and Elimelech, who had come to Moab due to a severe famine in their homeland. Unfortunately, tragedy struck when my husband, his brother, and his father all died, leaving Naomi and me widowed and childless.

When Naomi decided to return to her homeland of Bethlehem, she urged me to stay in Moab, to go back to my family, and seek a new life. But the love and loyalty I felt for Naomi was profound. I decided to go with her, pledging, "Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God."

In Bethlehem, I worked hard to support us, gleaning leftover grain in the fields. This is how I met Boaz, a relative of Elimelech. He showed kindness to me, and his generosity provided for us. Over time, and with Naomi's guidance, I approached Boaz to take up the role of the kinsman-redeemer, as was customary among the Israelites.

Boaz agreed, and we were married. God blessed us with a son, Obed, bringing joy to Naomi and restoring hope where there was once despair. This was a significant turn in my life, from a foreign widow to a cherished wife and mother in the lineage of David and eventually, Jesus Christ.

My story is a testament to the power of loyalty and love. It shows how faith in God, even during challenging times, can lead to blessings beyond comprehension. As you walk in your faith, I hope my story encourages you to show love and kindness, to be loyal, and above all, to trust in God's providence and faithfulness.

In faith and love,

Ruth