VIRTUOUS WOMAN: THE EXAMPLE OF RUTH.

TEXT: BOOK OF RUTH

Ruth  is an example of a virtuous woman, demonstrating faith in God, determination, selflessness, chastity, diligence, and being teachable. The qualities possessed by Ruth in the bible are worthy of emulation for any woman who desires to be virtuous.

    SEVEN QUALITIES OF A VIRTUOUS WOMAN  FROM THE EXAMPLE OF RUTH

#1. FAITH IN GOD: Ruth demonstrated faith in God because she left her pagan heritage and committed herself to God when she told her mother in law: your God will be my God. To be a virtuous and blessed woman, you must be connected to God. Come into a loving relationship with God by receiving Jesus and continue to follow Him. 

#2. DETERMINATION: Her resolve to return to Bethlehem with Naomi was unwavering. Two of them insisted on following Naomi, but Orpah returned after much persuasion from Naomi. Ruth remained steadfast like a purpose-driven woman. She would not budge to Naomi’s arguments or plea, being resolute and fully persuaded to follow through with her mission. A determined woman does give up easily on her course. She follows through to fulfilment and will not cower to obstacles or challenges that may arise. She has the inner strength and courage to press on amid challenges instead of turning back.

#3. SELFLESSNESS: Ruth did not consider only her interest or benefits. She also sought the well-being of Naomi. There was no obvious gain in view she could get from Naomi when she followed her. Naomi had no more sons she could have as her husband. Also, Naomi was returning almost empty and Ruth still chose to follow her. A virtuous woman is not selfish. She serves selflessly, not for instant gratification or ulterior motives.

#4. CHASTITY: Ruth took the initiative to find a place to work. She did not consider using her body as a means of earning income. Her first choice was to earn a living by working with her hands. A virtuous woman does not trade her body for means. She uses her skills/talents to earn a living when she has needs. She works willingly with her hands. She is not a woman of easy virtue that trades her body for gain. She esteems her dignity over materialism and does not make an excuse of not  having a job or parents/helpers to cater for her. She will find a job/business to do to pay her bills and not find a man to sleep with for money/gifts. A man of honour finds her as his wife because she distinguishes herself from common. 

#5. DILIGENCE: The reapers attested to this quality by saying she has not ceased working since she arrived in the field. A virtuous woman is not lazy or idle. She works hard and works smart.

#6. KINDNESS: Ruth saved some food to take to her mother-in-law, Naomi. She was not out there for herself alone. A virtuous woman shares with the needy, Out of her earnings, she shows kindness to the needy.

#7. TEACHABLE: Ruth listened to the counsel given to her by Naomi. She told her mother-in-law she will do just what was suggested and she did. Virtuous women can recognize and obey Godly counsel. They are submissive to any valid authority over them.

CONCLUSION

It is rewarding to be a virtuous woman. Ruth’s initiative of finding a place to work and virtuous character brought her to relevance and wealth. Little wonder, the bible says the steps of the righteous are ordered by the Lord. She left the house, not knowing the terrain, but her steps were ordered to the field of Boaz. 

Ruth typically depicts most of the qualities of a virtuous woman enlisted in Proverbs 31:10-31. In the genealogy of our Lord Jesus Christ, she was enlisted in that blessed lineage, as well as Rahab and Tamar who did not start on a righteous/virtuous path. They joined themselves to the Lord and their lives were transformed. Though you may have lived a life you are not proud of, you can still be virtuous. It begins with joining yourself to God (becoming a child of God) like Ruth did. " For he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him” (1Cor 6:17).

The game changer for Ruth was joining herself to God. That can be true for you and the blessings of a child of God will be yours too.

 

 

God bless you!

 

HOW TO DEAL WITH REJECTION WITH BIBLE VERSES

One of the greatest needs of human beings is the need to be accepted. Because acceptance is a dire need of man, people yearn so much for it that they can do anything to be accepted. Sadly, people face rejection at different points in life. Rejection can even come from very close circles. Some parents can  reject their children for different reasons. For instance, a man can turn down a pregnancy he is responsible for because he is not ready to father a child or that particular child, especially if the pregnancy was a result of infidelity or borne out of wedlock. The child is born and grows without the input, love and presence of his father. Sometimes, society, especially those acquainted with the story put it to his face by constantly reminding him he was rejected by his dad. It’s painful for such a child to grow up knowing his father rejected him before he was born. Rejection occurs in marriages too. A once happy and loving couple can all of sudden hate and reject themselves. Either one spouse rejects the other or chooses another in her stead. It doesn't feel good to be rejected, especially by those you love or who should love you. Rejection is not faced by sinners solely. Christians do face rejection too. Some members of the congregation can reject their pastor, a leader can be rejected by her subjects for various reasons. 

Rejection can occur because a loved one left you; or as a result of multiple heartbreaks. People also feel rejected when they have multiple disappointments or are constantly turned down from opportunities they desire.

Rejection can occur as a result of racism, religious inclination, personal flaws or challenges. Rejection can also be borne out of hate and divisive tendencies.

JESUS KNOWS ABOUT REJECTION

Jesus knows how it feels to be rejected. As such, He can sympathize with our feelings of pain and rejection because He has also faced rejections like us. In His earthly work, He said “…no prophet is accepted in his own country” (Luke 4:24) because He was rejected by those who should have accepted Him 

John 1:11 (NLT): “ He came to his own people, and even they rejected him”. 

Even on the cross, Jesus suffered the greatest form of rejection when God turned His back on Him. He was forsaken by God and rejected by men He went through all these, just so that you and I can be accepted by God. 

Mark 15:34 (NIV): “And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"-which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"   

Isaiah 53:3 (NIV): “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not”.

Jesus went through rejection so that all who come to God through Him will belong to God’s family, in which everyone is accepted

HOW TO DEAL WITH REJECTION

 When faced with rejection, inability to handle it  correctly can be more devastating than the rejection itself. For instance, Resorting to smoking, drinking, impulsive eating, isolating yourself or contemplating suicide are not healthy ways of dealing with rejection. Some positive ways of dealing with rejection include:

#1 PRAY

The next time you are faced with rejection, resist the temptation to feel rejected. Instead, turn the negative situation that led to rejection to God in prayers. and receive help, acceptance and comfort from Him. In the bible, Jabez prayed to God about his predicament and God heard him.

1 Chron 4:9-11 (NIV): “Jabez was more honourable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, "I gave birth to him in pain." Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.

#2. REMIND YOURSELF GOD ACCEPTS YOU

Ephesians 1:6; John 6:37(TLB)

“… He [God] has made us accepted in the Beloved [Jesus Christ]”; “But some will come to me-those the Father has given me-and I will never, never reject them.

You can have a sense of belonging because you are a child of God. Remind yourself that you are loved and accepted by God. Don’t let the devil; negative circumstance or people speak rejection to you. No, you don't have to give in to rejection even in the face of unpleasant situations. 

#3. DECLARE GOD’S WORD TO YOURSELF

This means saying what God has said about you or the situation. Declare words such as this below

“I am loved by God and accepted in Christ. No matter what comes my way, I am valuable to God. I do not give in to rejection”. 

SOME BIBLE VERSES TO HELP YOU DEAL WITH REJECTION

Psalm 27:10 (NIV): “Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me”. 

Hebrews 13:5b:  “Because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.

Mathew 28:20b: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." 

#4. ACCEPT YOURSELF 

Don’t live your life with a sense of rejection. Although you might have shortcomings/weaknesses, it is not enough to side in with those rejecting you. You are extremely loved by God.

He accepts you because of Christ Jesus, not because of what you have done right or failed to do. With that sense of belonging, reach out to your future and be all that God has designed for you to be. Rejecting yourself and constant feeling of rejection can make you feel sad or lead to depression and/loneliness.

#5. DON’T SOW SEEDS OF REJECTION

Don’t remind other people going through rejection of their hurt. Don’t act in a way that makes other people feel a sense of rejection while affirming yourself alone. Sow good seeds of love and be polite with your words. Nobody should lose a sense of esteem because of you what you said. Be a source of joy and encouragement to others, and you will reap the good seeds you sow.

Thank you for reading!

Acknowledgement

Special thanks to Chuks Ikechukwu for contributing to this article.