Tuesday, 4 July 2017


RUTH: Rooted Undisputedly To History
VIRTUES AND LESSONS FROM A PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE

Hey dear! Yeah, I mean you reading this article, have you ever decided to find out the hidden virtues of this great woman called RUTH that set her apart from other women in the Bible and made her distinctively unique amidst her fellows? Or why most parents decide to name their children after this great MODEL? Did I hear a YES or NO or PROBABLY??? Whatever your answer is, this is an episode of a young Moabitic woman. The eighth book of the Christian’s Holy book (Holy Bible) is named RUTH, not because she is the writer or author of the book but because she was the trailblazer in the act. Here are a few morals deduced from my review of the book which I would like to share with you and I really do hope we all can learn from it, apply it to our lives and become better vessels.

MORAL ONE: DO NOT LET YOUR PAST DEFINE YOU
Did you just read that? Yes! Go back and read it again. It reads “Do not let your past define you.” This babe- Ruth was a citizen of a country called Moab which was alien to God. Her land was idolatrous, worshiping Chemosh and sometimes sacrifice human beings to their gods. Even Balak the king of Moab commissioned Balaam to curse Israel when they were on their way to the promised land. Now what/who is this MOAB person sef??? Moab was a son born out of an incestuous relationship between Lot and his first daughter (Gen 19:32-38). That was a great abomination to God. Ruth was from that generation. …too bad! I guess.
But Ruth, though from a pagan background, did not let her background and past to define and dictate her life. She met the living God of Israel through her Mother-in-law Naomi which gave her a new hope and a beautiful future. Have you met this God? He can transform your ugly and wretched past to a beautiful and bright future. Asides that, Ruth although was widowed at quite a young age with no child to keep her company, she didn't turn herself to a prostitute neither did she kill herself or cry herself to death because of her circumstance. She brushed the past aside and forged ahead.
THINK: How many times have you thought of giving up on that exam, person, biz idea or whatever because of failures or loss of the past? You feel all hope is gone, nothing good left for you in life. My dear, if you can look up, you can get up.

MORAL TWO: OTHER PEOPLE’S CHOICES SHOULD NOT INFLUENCE YOURS
Do not yield to pressure from peers, parents and environment. This really intrigued me. Most times, we allow people’s choices to be the bedrock and foundation of our choices. Most people don’t have a mind of their own. See Lady Ruth, her sister-in-law went back after much persuasion from Naomi. Her mind was easily changed because she allowed her decision to be influenced by pleas and she was short-sighted about the future but my dear Ruth remained resolute and unwavering because she knew her future was at stake if she goes back to her Paganist and idolatrous religion.
THINK: How many times have your friend’s decisions influenced you??? They wanna do things they know you would not do but they manage to convince you and you give-in (promising yourself that it will be the first and last). Your friends already know that if they can put a little pressure on you, then you will yield! Ha!! That will lead you to disaster one day. But when they know no amount of sweet talk or persuasion can change your “good” decision, it is gonna be a big plus for you. Just make sure whatever the choice, it is the wise one.

MORAL THREE: BE HUMBLE AND INDUSTRIOUS (Chap 2:2, 3)
Ruth was not a lazy babe. I remember my dad always say to me: “you are very lazy, only when it comes to baking and writing you put away your laziness”. But this lady was not lazy. She was very industrious. She did not stay idle despite the fact that she was in a strange land. Most times when we go to a place where we are not known, we wait to be called upon before we take up any task. Ruth wasn’t like that. She was proactive. She took the initiative to do things that were supposed to be done. She did not wait for Naomi to tell her to go and glean the corn rather she volunteered to do it. How many times have you looked away from something you know should be done and say... “Someone else will do it” or “shebi they did not kuku send me”. Ruth’s volunteering was what brought her favour and good name in her husband’s sight and also to the spotlight which made Boaz to retain her in his field. Are you working, on internship, I.T or NYSC and you feel, “Lemme just do this thing and gerrout, shey na me get the bizness ni?” and because of that feeling, you don’t give your best. Who knows, that may be the promise land God has destined for you but because of your lackadaisical attitude and halfhearted service, you will lose that placement. Bottom line is “Industry is the key to open doors.

MORAL FOUR: LET YOUR FAITH ROAR SO LOUD THAT YOU CAN’T HEAR WHAT YOUR DOUBT IS SAYING
Ruth had strong faith. She believed in the God Naomi served possibly because she had seen and heard of several of His works. She knew He could make something great out of her miserable life despite where she was coming from. Hey dear! Jesus said, “If you have faith as tiny as a mustard seed….” You don’t even need too much faith to start with, Grow your faith on a daily basis. Let it mount up daily until you get to the level where no circumstance or situation can shake your faith.

MORAL FIVE: BE A PERSON OF CHARACTER
There was no place recorded that Ruth’s character was criticized. You don’t believe me, go and check Ruth 1-4. But look at your life, is there something people complain about in your life? and if you are sincere with yourself, you will have to look inward to know if it’s there. Change your character for good before it ruins you. If you are one who easily gets fuming, exasperated, so impatient, dishonest, cunny, and disrespectful, I implore you to get a change of life because a bad character will not take you far.

MORAL SIX: BE A TRAILBLAZER

Go through a path unknown, untried and create a path for others to tread. Ruth was obviously not the first Moabite to marry an Israelite but she was the one who became one of the great-grandmothers of Jesus Christ. Don’t be scared to walk a path alone when other people think your ideas are crazy and they desert you when you still decide to work on your ideas. Stamp your footprints in the sand of time. Make a mark in history. Do not desire to be celebrated posthumously alone. Be celebrated in your lifetime as well as in death both here and in eternity.

Credit: Queen E. J.

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