The story of ruth – रूथ की कहानी
The story of Ruth is a beautiful example of loyalty, selflessness, and faithfulness. It is told in the Book of Ruth in the Old Testament and has inspired generations with its messages of love, sacrifice, and devotion.
Ruth was a Moabite woman who married into an Israelite family living in Moab. Her mother-in-law, Naomi, and Naomi’s husband, Elimelech, had left Bethlehem due to famine and settled in Moab with their two sons, Mahlon and Kilion. Ruth married one of these sons, but after some years, both Naomi’s husband and her two sons passed away, leaving Naomi and her two daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah, as widows.
Devastated by her losses, Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem after hearing that the famine had ended. She urged Ruth and Orpah to return to their own families in Moab, as she felt she had nothing left to offer them in Israel. Orpah eventually chose to return to her family, but Ruth showed remarkable selflessness and refused to leave Naomi’s side.
In a powerful and famous declaration of loyalty, Ruth said to Naomi:
“Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.”(Ruth 1:16-17)
Moved by Ruth’s devotion, Naomi allowed Ruth to accompany her to Bethlehem. Ruth, despite being a foreigner and a widow in a land that was not her own, worked tirelessly to provide for Naomi. She gathered grain in the fields to ensure they had enough to eat, showing her willingness to serve and sacrifice.
Ruth’s selfless actions did not go unnoticed. The owner of the field where Ruth gleaned grain was a wealthy and kind man named Boaz. He was a relative of Naomi’s late husband and was impressed by Ruth’s dedication to her mother-in-law. Boaz showed kindness to Ruth, protecting her and ensuring that she was treated well.
As the story unfolds, Boaz eventually took Ruth as his wife, and they had a son named Obed. Obed became the grandfather of King David, making Ruth, the Moabite woman who selflessly devoted herself to her mother-in-law, a part of the lineage of Jesus Christ.
Ruth’s unselfish devotion to Naomi is at the heart of this story. She gave up her own future, family, and homeland to care for her mother-in-law. Ruth’s unwavering loyalty to Naomi in difficult circumstances is a testament to the power of love and commitment. Ruth’s faith in Naomi’s God, despite being from a different background, reflects her spiritual devotion and trust in God’s plan.
Ruth’s story serves as a timeless reminder of how acts of kindness, love, and faithfulness can lead to blessings and greater purposes in life.
The story of ruth – रूथ की कहानी
