As you move from the first to the second chapter of the Book of Ruth, the atmosphere changes dramatically. Notice the changes that take place because of Ruth’s faith and love.

1. Unbelief to faith

Ruth was gaining an understanding of the Word of God and was claiming her privilege to glean as stated in the Law. See Leviticus 19:9-10; 23:22 & Deuteronomy 24:19. She was living by faith, trusting God to care for her. True faith always leads to works. See James 2:20.

2. Rebellion to submission

Rebellion always destroys and tears things apart but submission has a way of putting things back together again. Ruth submitted to Naomi, to the man in charge of the reapers and then to Boaz.

3. Bitterness to gratitude

Ruth was poor, a widow and a foreigner. She had reasons to be bitter. But she didn’t allow herself to become bitter because, unlike Naomi, she had faith in God and was willing to submit to Him. She could put the past behind her and faithfully trust God to take care of the future. She realised that whatever she had was the gracious gift of God. See John 3:27.

4. Emptiness to satisfaction

While Naomi is a picture of an empty life, Ruth is a picture of a person who is satisfied. She was satisfied with what God brought in her life and with the food that He placed before her. Ruth began with the leftovers of the harvest and God rewarded her with the table of Boaz and more grain then she could carry. Through Ruth the spiritually bankrupt life of Naomi is affected as well.

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