Ruth and Esther: Kingdom Decisions

“Your God will be my God, and your people will be my people.” It was not a flippant statement. Ruth turned from one religion (pantheism) to God (theism). Yes, she was supporting her mother-in-law who was alone and going to a different country, but she changed her entire belief system, how she saw the world. It was different than marrying someone or moving or following a friend. She changed the lens through which she saw and understood the world. We admire Ruth for helping her mother-in-law and sacrificing comfort or the known, but the bigger picture was how she changed her worldview…….there is one God, God created us, He loves us. We don’t have to earn His love…it’s there. To see through THAT lens, the lens of love, and to trust God completely………well now…..that’s the bigger picture.

Ruth had lost her husband, her support, and the time had come for her to make a choice…..and she turned to God. Yes, she followed Naomi, but the bigger picture was she turned to God, accepted Him, trusted Him completely. “Your God will be my God, and your people will be my people.” This decision contributed to the pathway to salvation for us. Ruth married Boaz who had Jesse then David on down to Jesus.

Mordecai told Queen Esther, “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” She was to save her people. She took a risk too. You don’t just approach a king and ask for your people to be saved. That could get you killed. Esther trusted God, approached the king, and saved her people. Ruth trusted God and was in the lineage of our Savior.

The stories in the Bible contain more than following a mother-in-law or marrying a king. While their actions were admirable, there are critical details though that can be easily overlooked: Turning to God, trusting God. Those decisions found in the details of the stories are the pieces that need to be emphasized. Turn to God, trust God. Whatever your story is………these decisions can help you. Decide to live life to the fullest with God knowing He goes with you, before you, and behind you.