Hello Friends,

Last month, I really enjoyed studying the book of Ruth as a part of February’s To-Do List.

(Psst. Have you had a chance to check out March’s To-Do List?)

Many times when we hear the word “virtue” we immediately think of the Proverbs 31 Woman. However, in the book of Ruth we find out that she is considered one of the Bible’s virtuous women as well. In fact, Boaz (the man who became her husband) is the one that calls her a virtuous woman! What a compliment – one of the highest compliments any woman could receive! Boaz says in Ruth 3:11…

“And now my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.”

Not only did Boaz realize that Ruth was a virtuous woman… but apparently the whole city knew her as a virtuous woman as well! What a testimony!

Obviously, Ruth was a woman who carried the reputation of a virtuous woman… and thankfully, this short Old Testament book (named after her) gives us a glimpse at a very crucial time in her life. Let’s take a few minutes to dig a bit deeper and take a closer look at Ruth’s character. By following her radiant example, may we become virtuous women as well!

Becoming a Woman of Virtue

By studying the book of Ruth, we can learn quite a bit about Ruth’s character. After studying through the book and meditating on what I learned about Ruth, I’ve hand picked six of Ruth’s glowing character traits. Let’s look at each one…

Ruth was Loyal & Devoted

“And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest I will die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me.” Ruth 1:16-17

Ruth was extremely loyal to her Mother-in-Law, Naomi. These days, Mother-in-Laws are often looked upon with a bit of disdain… but not so with Ruth! She obviously loved Naomi very much and held her in high regard.

Ruth grew up in Moab, married into a Jewish family and was then left a widow. When Naomi decided to return the Jewish city of Bethlehem, she encouraged her two daughters-in-law to remain in Moab. Naturally, most young women would probably choose to stay in the place of their birth, with their families… but not Ruth! She wanted to remain with Naomi… for the rest of her life!

Ruth was loyal and dedicated to Naomi even when it meant forsaking everything she had ever known. By following Naomi to Bethlehem, she said goodbye to her home, her family, her friends, her birthplace, and her religion! What a sacrifice she made.

How about you? Are you a loyal and dedicated woman like Ruth? What would you be willing to sacrifice for the people you love the most? Are you loyal to your family members… to your friends? Can your family and friends count on you to remain loyal to them, even when it’s difficult to do so?

Ruth’s exemplary loyalty and dedication to Naomi is the first of shining qualities we see in her life.

Ruth was Initiative

“And Ruth the Moabites said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, go my daughter.” Ruth 2:2

Once Naomi and Ruth arrived in Bethlehem, they had very few provisions. Naomi being much older, would not have near as much strength and energy to go out and glean in the fields. Ruth however, was able…. and she was willing. She was the one who approached Naomi, asking for permission to go out to the fields and glean ears of corn. She took the initiative… she was diligent and humble enough to go out and glean as one who was poor and needy.

Ruth’s initiative in going out to the fields to glean should be commended. She was a stranger in a foreign place. She was humble enough to work for what they needed, and she was looking out for Naomi as well.

How about you? Do you take the initiative to go and work, even when it’s unpleasant and even humbling? Are you willing to help others? Are you diligent enough to see a need and go out and fulfill that need?

Ruth was diligent, she had the initiative to go out and work to help Naomi. Not only was she willing to get the work started… she worked until the task was complete….

Ruth was a Hard Worker

“So she gleaned in the field, until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley.” Ruth 2:17

Ruth had the initiative to go out and work…. and she was diligent enough to complete the task. Ruth worked until the day was done. It’s likely that Ruth was not accustomed at all to this kind of work. Previously, she would have had a husband to care for her physical needs. Now, she is the one working hard to provide for herself and Naomi. It’s very hot in Israel, and fields would not have been shaded. The work that Naomi had to do must have been very hard, hot, and tiresome…. but she continued on until the evening… until there was enough for her and Naomi.

How about you? I must admit that I do not like hot, hard, and laborious work – I prefer working indoors. However, whatever work we need to do, we ought to go about it with the determination and dedication that Ruth showed out in the fields.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 says “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might…”

This is a good verse to live by, when it comes to the tasks and jobs that we need to do. Whether it’s something small that you do every day, or a unpleasant job that must be done… do it with all your might, until the job is done!

Ruth was Humble and Thankful

“Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him [Boaz], Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?” Ruth 2:10

When Boaz came to his fields, he noticed Ruth working among the others. Not knowing who she was, he asked about her. Then he approached her with a gracious offer. He told Ruth to remain in his fields and not to go to any other field except his. Here she would be safe, untouched and unharmed by the men in his fields. He also told her that she was allowed to drink of the fresh water his men brought to the fields.

What was Ruth’s response to Boaz’ generosity? She bowed herself to the ground (a sign of humility!) and asked why he was being so kind to her. She showed humility and gratitude with her actions.

What about you? When someone lavishes you with a gracious and generous offer, how do you respond? Do you show humility and gratitude?

May we work on becoming woman who are truly humble and thankful for the blessings of God and generosity shown to us through others!

Ruth was Bold and Obedient

“And [Ruth] said unto [Naomi], all that thou sayest unto me I will do. And she went down unto the [threshing floor], and did according to all that her mother-in-law bade her. And when Boaz has eaten, and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.” Ruth 3:6-7

After a few months of gleaning in the field of Boaz, Naomi approached Ruth with a bold idea. She gave Ruth instructions to anoint herself, put on special clothing, and go to Boaz’ threshing floor. It was the time of year that the barley harvest was coming to an end, and all the workers of the field would be celebrating a successful harvest. Naomi knew that Boaz and many others would be at the “threshing floor” that night. She instructed Ruth not to show herself until Boaz had plenty to eat and drink. Then she was to follow him to the place where he would lie down to sleep. At that time Ruth was to uncover his feet and lay down right there!

This may sound like a crazy plan to most of you – and most likely Ruth thought so too! But there was a very important message behind this particular action. Boaz was Naomi and Ruth’s kinsman redeemer – a close relative who was “eligible” to marry and provide for a widow. By uncovering Boaz’ feet, Ruth was requesting that Boaz cover her under the protection of his robe – aka protect and provide for her as his wife!

What a vulnerable request. By following Naomi’s advice, Ruth was literally asking Boaz to marry her!

And what did Ruth do? “And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother-in-law bade her.”

What obedience! What boldness!

Would you be willing and bold enough to do what Naomi requested? Proverbs 28:1 says that “the righteous are bold as a lion.” Ruth was displaying righteousness by being bold enough to follow her mother-in-law’s advice!

What an example for us to follow! We usually shy away from things that make us vulnerable. We like to be comfortable… but sometimes we need to obedient and bold enough to do the uncomfortable things that God asks of us.

And you know what? Ruth was rewarded. Because of her obedience and boldness….

Ruth was Redeemed

“And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people… Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon the inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day.” Ruth 4:9-10

So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife…” Ruth 4:13a

Boaz was willing to make Ruth his wife… he “’redeemed” her. This is a beautiful picture of what Christ does for us! Jesus Christ has redeemed us with His shed blood. He’s bought us, and now He provides for us and protects us as His own.

Have you been redeemed by Christ? All we need to do is realize that we are sinners in need of a Redeemer, and then by faith we accept what He has done for us on the Cross of Calvary. By accepting Christ as our Savior, He redeems us, makes us His own, and will take us to Heaven when we die. What a wonderful truth, what redemption, what a wonderful Savior and Redeemer He is!

Final Thoughts

Ruth was a foreigner who dedicated her life to her mother-in-law and her mother-in-law’s faith, even when she saw nothing in it for herself. Because of her faith, and virtuous character, God blessed and provided her with a wonderful husband. But that’s not all! Ruth and Boaz were blessed with a son name Obed. Obed eventually had a grandson named David…. David the King of Israel, the man after God’s own heart! Jesus Christ came through the line of David, and Ruth, being the great-grandmother of David, is named in the royal genealogy of Christ!

Ruth followed her Naomi, and Naomi’s God in faith…and as a result she was abundantly blessed!

How Can I Apply this to My Life?

We too, can become virtuous women life Ruth. She left us a radiant example of faith and virtue. Remember, Ruth was…

• Loyal and Dedicated
• Initiative
• Hard Working
• Humble and Thankful

• and… she was Redeemed

Which of the first six character traits do you need to work on? Have you been redeemed by the blood of Christ Jesus?

Would You Like to Learn More?

Here is a list of great resources to learn more about the life and testimony of Ruth!

• Ruth: A Romance of Redemption
• Cultivating a Life of Character (Bible Study)
• Women of the Bible
• The Remarkable Women of the Bible
• Be Committed (Ruth and Esther Commentary)
• The Book of Ruth (DVD)

Have any questions? Feel free to contact me here.

What did you learn from Ruth today? Please share your thoughts and comments in the comment section. I love hearing from all of you!

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