Ruth: A Virtuous Woman
One of the characteristics of a woman who is leading a victorious Christian life is virtue. A virtuous woman is willing to conform to both moral and divine law, someone who glows with purity and goodness. Sounds like an overwhelming goal, doesn't it? Well, just like everything else in our lives, God has given us exactly what we need to triumph in the virtues He would have us attain.
"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" (Ruth 3:11).
Ruth was a poor widow, one who chose to leave her native Moab for her mother-in-law's home town of Bethlehem. She was given the choice to stay behind, but her relationship with Naomi was more important. Ruth was devoted to both her former family and the new family that would greet them (Ruth 4:15).
While she was forced to work in the fields to supply the household's needs, Ruth worked with diligence and stamina. In the second chapter of this book, we read about her gleaning well into the evening, the beating the barley and gathering it to take home. She did this amazing work through the entire barley harvest - and was rewarded by both God and Boaz for her efforts.
She was committed to being discreet around men. In Ruth 3:10, while she sat at his feet, Boaz tells her that he had noticed she didn't chase after the young men of the town as some of the women of the time were known to do. Her desire for purity and honor drew him to her and soon she became his wife. "A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones" (Proverbs 12:4).
Elsewhere in these four lovely chapters, Ruth shows examples of honorable speech and awareness of proper dress. Her actions, her words, her faith and her attitude were all models of virtuous living that we can put into practice today.
All of these virtues radiated from Ruth so brightly that her neighbors had to notice. The world says be like everybody else, but God says, Be what I want you to be. "Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all" (Proverbs 31:29).
God knew then, as He does now, that many women choose not to follow the virtues He outlines through the entire Bible. "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies" (Proverbs 31:10). Instead of falling into temptation to be part of worldly things, we should remember that God values virtuous women above all others.
"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" (Ruth 3:11).
Ruth was a poor widow, one who chose to leave her native Moab for her mother-in-law's home town of Bethlehem. She was given the choice to stay behind, but her relationship with Naomi was more important. Ruth was devoted to both her former family and the new family that would greet them (Ruth 4:15).
While she was forced to work in the fields to supply the household's needs, Ruth worked with diligence and stamina. In the second chapter of this book, we read about her gleaning well into the evening, the beating the barley and gathering it to take home. She did this amazing work through the entire barley harvest - and was rewarded by both God and Boaz for her efforts.
She was committed to being discreet around men. In Ruth 3:10, while she sat at his feet, Boaz tells her that he had noticed she didn't chase after the young men of the town as some of the women of the time were known to do. Her desire for purity and honor drew him to her and soon she became his wife. "A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones" (Proverbs 12:4).
Elsewhere in these four lovely chapters, Ruth shows examples of honorable speech and awareness of proper dress. Her actions, her words, her faith and her attitude were all models of virtuous living that we can put into practice today.
All of these virtues radiated from Ruth so brightly that her neighbors had to notice. The world says be like everybody else, but God says, Be what I want you to be. "Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all" (Proverbs 31:29).
God knew then, as He does now, that many women choose not to follow the virtues He outlines through the entire Bible. "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies" (Proverbs 31:10). Instead of falling into temptation to be part of worldly things, we should remember that God values virtuous women above all others.
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