As I get ready to begin, let me encourage you to read the four chapters that make up the Old Testament book of Ruth (link provided)…
It’s a rather interesting pair of women who show up back to back in Jesus’ lineage…this week, I follow up the story of Tamar with the story of Ruth. These are two women with intriguing commonalities and interesting contrasts.
I’ll explain. First, what they had in common with one another…
Both Tamar and Ruth were foreign women who married Israelites.
Both Tamar and Ruth adopted the religion and cultures of their husbands’ family.
Both Tamar and Ruth lost their husbands early in their marriages and were left childless.
Both Tamar and Ruth became subjects to Levirate Marriage (Deuteronomy 25:5-10, Leviticus 25:25), meaning when their husbands passed, they were also “passed” – to the next relative (typically, this would be a brother, as was expected in the story of Tamar) who would be willing to have a child to carry on the line of the previous husband.
Both Tamar and Ruth are joined in the line of David (Ruth was David’s grandmother), this line became the one through which the promised Messiah would, eventually, come .
Both Tamar and Ruth had hearts to see the right outcome on behalf of the Lord they served; however, the commonalities end there.
Tamar had been turned away and shunned by her in-law family. They were supposed to protect and provide for her, but refused.
On the other hand, Ruth was embraced by her mother-in-law and greatly loved.
Tamar was a risk taker and bold. Ruth was submissive and humble.
Tamar was forceful and devious. Ruth was kind and noble.
Tamar was determined and willful. Ruth was compassionate and persevering.
Tamar was deceptive and immoral. Ruth was honest and godly.
While Tamar manipulated the outcome of her life, Ruth followed the ways of the Lord, according to the customs, traditions, and laws of the Lord of her life.
Out of this story, Ruth stands as a model for single women…or women, in general, whose futures loom before them with only a giant question mark.
Ruth’s life reminds us not to hasten God’s timing…He will provide.
Her story reminds us that being a woman of noble character is always our greatest aspiration.
Her fairy-tale romance is a reminder that as we do what is right, serve those whom God puts in our path, and seek the Lord’s glory above all, our Lord blesses in return.
Ruth’s life chronicles the truth of the following verses:
I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him. Fear the Lord, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing. The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34: 4, 5, 8, 9, 18.
Questions to ponder:
For those of you who are single, or waiting on the Lord for some other reason….have you come to the place where you are trusting Him for your future without trying to manipulate the outcome?
Are you willing to wait (no matter how long, no matter how hard) for God to orchestrate the circumstances, remembering that His plan for your life will not be thwarted?
Can you, like Ruth, rest in His sovereign plan and His Awe-mazing goodness?
What a gift you’d give yourself this Christmas if you could simply open your hands and say, “Yes, Lord”…put in what You will, take away what You will…Your ways are higher!!!
