The Book of Ruth is known for the loving relationship between Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi. But while these two women demonstrate both love and unity, there were barriers that Ruth and Naomi had to cross along the way. Looking at how they crossed these barriers can help us get a picture of how Jesus crossed every barrier to live in union with us. Now we, His church, can embody this unity with each other. Let’s take a look!
The Family Barrier: Ruth and Naomi were related by marriage—they didn’t grow up in the same household. Their backgrounds and families were different. Like many of today’s blended households, they had to decide to think of one another as family. Naomi took the lead in this; in Ruth 1:11-13, she called Ruth and Orpah her daughters. Naomi saw them not as outsiders but as her own flesh and blood. Naomi’s inclusion of Ruth allowed them both to cross over the family barrier. Similarly, in Christ, we are God’s children (Romans 8:14-17)!
The Cultural Barrier: Naomi was Jewish, and Ruth was a Moabite. Their respective countries were enemies, and their cultures were very different. But Ruth desired to be part of God’s people, and she embraced Naomi’s faith. This pictures the unity God’s people experience in Christ. We were enemies with God, but through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we can live in unity with Him (Romans 5:9-11). Jesus has broken down cultural barriers—and it’s a good thing too. Cultural diversity makes the body of Christ richer and should not be a barrier to love.
The Age Barrier: Ruth and Naomi were a generation apart, but their bond could not have been closer. And we can see that Jesus doesn’t look down on young people either. He even welcomes children to Himself (Mark 10:13-16). In the church, cross-generational relationships can benefit old and young. Like Ruth and Naomi, age differences should be no barrier to love.
Ruth and Naomi give us an example of how God’s love makes it possible for us to cross barriers to bring unity and understanding. And we can look to Jesus, who crossed every barrier to make a way for us to live in relationship with God and one another in perfect love and unity. • Laura N. Sweet
• Does it seem easier to love people who are like you? Why may this be true?
• How do family, cultural, and age differences actually deepen and enrich our relationships?
“Where you go I [Ruth] will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.†Ruth 1:16b (NIV)
Read Verses:
John 3:1-21; 8:31-59; Romans 8:38-39; Romans 10:9-13
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