Hello Beautiful People!
Its amazing to see so many of you on board with the #RuthChallenge having done the #EstherChallenge. For those that still don’t know what it is, don’t worry! The Ruth Challenge is a 4 day challenge, where we read the 4 chapters in the book of Ruth in the Bible! It is not just about reading, I would love for us to share our understanding of what we have read with each other, so as you read, feel free to hashtag #RuthChallenge if you have twitter. In addition, please email biblechallenge@outlook.com with your notes for each chapter, or a summary and I will put it up on this blog page! 
DAY TWO- CHAPTER TWO
I read this chapter in The message and New Living Translation as I found a combination of the two easier to understand.
MY SHORT SUMMARY: Ruth offered to work for Naomi in Bethlehem. This work involve picking grains in the fields (harvesting) and Ruth worked in the fields near by that belonged to Boaz; a relative of Elimelech who was wealthy! When Boaz came to the field, he asked his workers who Ruth was, and they explained that Ruth was Naomi’s daughter in-law who had been diligently working in the field. He was impressed and blessed her with dinner and instructed her to only work in his field as he didn’t want other men maltreat her in other fields. Ruth was so grateful to Boaz for his kindness towards her especially as she wasn’t one of his workers. *Touch your neighbour and scream FAVOUR*
IT IS GOOD TO SERVE
Hard work is a virtue. We see it here in the virtuous nature of Ruth and again in Proverbs 31:
- Ruth worked with eager hands. Proverbs 31:13
- Provided food for her family; Naomi, she gave the leftover she received from Boaz to Nay. Proverbs 31:15
- She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. Proverbs 31:17
She wasn’t sitting around waiting to be served, she was joyfully willing to serve and do what it takes to contribute. Are we doing the same? Or are we princesses (princes) that just sit on our bums all day? Think of ways you can serve in all that you do, be it in school, college, university, church, youth groups, anywhere. Your service should come from a place of humility, not to get credit from anyone but purely from a desire to help and serve! Matthew 25:40
STAY IN YOUR FIELD AND BE FAITHFUL WHERE YOU HAVE BEEN PLANTED
Let us stay where God has placed us. Don’t stray away from the field where God has put us just to go into another field – where we will be completely out of the will of God.
Ruth 2:8-9, ‘Boaz went over and said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Stay right here with us when you gather grain; don’t go to any other fields. Stay right behind the young women working in my field. 9 See which part of the field they are harvesting, and then follow them’.
Let your eyes be on the field where God has put you. Some of us don’t know the field that God has placed us in…Your presence in church, in school, in your family, amongst your friends, your giving, and your service- all of that means a lot to God. You are doing something. Let that something be of great harvest! Your service to God comes with a promise, Ruth 2:11 “May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.”
LADIES: WAIT FOR YOUR BOAZ
A man that hears your good works and completely favours you because he sees that you are a woman of virtue! A diligent worker beautiful and of great worth. Boaz heard excellent things about Ruth, she wasn’t a ‘ratchet’ babe or ‘bad b-word’. She represented herself well, her actions were a reflection of her virtuous nature. A man that truly appreciates your all round WORTH, is a man worthy of your service and submission.
WHAT EVERYONE ELSE DOING RUTH CHALLENGE HAS LEARNED:
In Chapter 2, the whole story about what happens to Naomi and Ruth starts unfolding. Ruth goes out to pick up grain after people, note, she was not going to do the harvest, she was waiting for people to harvest and then she would gather whatever might have fallen to the ground. Again this shows great character about Ruth, she was very hardworking and she was a very humble woman. Unlike some of us, Ruth did not wait to be spoon fed with everything, she knew how to use her hands and make things work (something to learn from ladies). Along comes Boaz and he recognizes this woman of substance, and because Boaz was a man who knew the Lord, he recognized the substance in Ruth. 
Ruth was a woman of very few words, she did not go around telling people how awesome she was, and how loving she was because she had come all the way with Naomi. Ladies, let your actions speak for you. Whatever you do now shall catch up with you later. Boaz had heard about the good works of Ruth and that is why she was elevated to a different level. If Boaz had heard nasty things about her, imagine what the scenario could have been like. As you wait for your “Boaz” be at work with your life, find your purpose, do good deeds and let your actions speak for you. At the end of the day Ruth got even more that expected out of the gather, and she was even asked to come back. How God works to those who humble themselves, you go searching for one things and you leave with a thousand! – @_rudoe
I already like this story a little more than the story of Esther lol, even though I gained vital knowledge from the EstherChallenge! But na wa oooo,come and see the Love nwantiti story unfolding! I’ve previously read snippets of Ruth but never read it in depth like this. So, here’s my summary of our original Romeo and Juliet, our bonnie and clyde! Lool.
Chapter 1, informs us the readers about the situation at hand. It’s an unfortunate situation where Naomi’s son and ruth’s husband has died, a situation that seems hopeless but also a situation that is Gods cue to take the stage like He did in Esther where a decree was sent out for the Jews to be killed, and in Daniel when King Nebu threatened to kill his wise men if they weren’t able to tell him and interpret HIS OWN dream! It also gives us an insight into the nature of Ruth.
Chapter 2 screams out the Rewards of Hardwork, Loyalty and Intergrity.
Ruth is shown to be a hardworking woman. She was proactive, and didn’t aim to sit around looking pretty like some of the role models the media portrays today (*cough cough* Kim K) . Her hardworking nature, allowed her to be placed in Boaz’ field, which led to her meeting her prince charming! As people in Christ, we should always be diligent in whatever fields God has assigned us to, because we will always reap the rewards of what we sow.
Similar to Queen Esther Ruth was a humble lady. She even komole’d for Boaz and didn’t act like his favour towards her was mandatory! I feel that this is a trait that many of us should adopt, as pride is never beneficial.
Ruth was consistent in her work! After she sat to dine with Boaz and the workers, she continued to toil the field. While she was doing this, Boaz instructed the workers not to stop Ruth from the work she was doing, and also to put extra grains of corn on the ground for Ruth to pick up. This may have been a test to see whether Ruth was truly hard working , or whether the whole thing was just an act! In relation to our lives, I feel that we should be diligent and consistent in everything we do! Whether it be our faith, our academic work or our jobs, because there is always someone out there who is keeping a record of what we do!
My final and favourite point is about Boaz’ character! BOAZ WAS A MAN AFTER GOD’S HEART. His conduct shows this! In Verse 4, he greeted his workers in the name of the Lord. In verse 12, he says a quick prayer for Ruth. As Christians, our conduct should scream out Jesus, and I think we should also pray that our future partners (if we want to get married) have a strong relationship with God!
From Sophia/ @MsSophilayo / @GuvnaaaHAB
Indeed hard work,good reputation and humility pays. Ruth possessed all this qualities which made her to find favour in the eyes of Boaz..speaking of Boaz I loved the way the bible described him..Wealthy and Influential!! I claim it! Lol!!..it shows he was a hard working man too,to own such a large piece of land or field as some translations would put it!… Ruth was also respectful and had manners she talked to Boaz with respect and went on. to prostrate before him. Boaz in return showed kindness to her.
Respect is reciprocal!!! – @saved_nicolee
