There are only two women who were given the honor of having an entire book of the Bible named after them: Ruth and Esther. Both women were strong and courageous. Both were common people who had no idea they were destined to play such a large part in history. They were both challenged with leaving their comfort zones and walking by faith into life altering situations that empowered them to fulfill their destinies. Their stories are ancient, but their life examples and qualities are timeless.
Determined, Loyal & Selfless
A woman named Naomi lived with her husband and two sons in Bethlehem. There was a famine in the land and so they left their home, hoping it would be for just a short time, to live in a foreign land called Moab. Naomi’s husband died shortly after they moved. Her two sons married Moabite women and within 10 years of their journey her sons died as well. So Naomi decided to go back to her home in Bethlehem to live out the rest of her life. She said goodbye to her daughter in laws, encouraging them to find other husbands and move on with their lives. But one of the girls, Ruth, would not leave her mother in law. She said, “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” Ruth 1:16-17. So Ruth accompanied her mother in law to Bethlehem.
Women of Courage ~ Ruth refuses to leave Naomi
Ruth’s act of loyalty was incredibly selfless. But Naomi couldn’t see past her own grief. She returned to Bethlehem filled with self-pity and emptiness. Ruth, however, found the strength to move forward for both of them. She was determined to take care of Naomi and to provide for her. Ruth began by collecting the scraps from the harvest of the field of Boaz, who was a relative of Naomi. It was during that time that Ruth and Boaz met. This is what he said about her, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” Ruth 2:11-12. It is safe to say he had a great deal of respect for her.
Naomi loved and appreciated all that Ruth had done for her but also knew that Ruth needed to have a life of her own. With a little help and advice from Naomi, Ruth followed her mother in law’s instructions, and so began what would become an unexpected love between Boaz and Ruth. They were married and had a son named Obed, who became the father of Jesse, who became the father of David. Yes, King David! Ruth was the great-grandmother of David who became King of Israel. And Ruth’s legacy continues until today with the Jewish nation.
The story of this foreigner, who came to Israel out of a sense of duty and honor towards her dead husband’s mother, speaks volumes to the determination it takes to persevere even in the midst of terrible personal loss. Her strong resolve and unselfish behavior brought her honor and blessing. The incredible thing is that as blessed as she was during the later years of her life it was long after her death that the world would reap the benefits of the blessing of her destiny.
Wise & Courageous
Women of Courage ~ Queen Esther approaches the King
Esther lived in Persia during a time when the Jews were exiled from Israel. Her cousin, Mordechai, raised her because both of her parents had died. Now the King of Persia was looking for a new Queen, and because of Esther’s beauty she was chosen to be a candidate. Mordechai asked her to keep her nationality and family background a secret, as Jews were considered second class citizens at the time. And so she told no one. After a year of grooming, Esther was brought before the king and he chose her to be his wife. Almost immediately Mordechai found out that there was a conspiracy to kill all the Jews in the land and he realized that Esther was destined to save their people. He sent her this message, “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:13-14.
Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai, “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” Esther 4:15-16. Not only did Esther understand that she was thrown into an incredibly stressful and dyer situation, she knew she couldn’t go it alone. She prayed for herself and asked for her people to pray for her. With this done, her courage and faith were impenetrable.
Esther was wise in dealing with her adversary, Haman. She outsmarted him and outwitted him. When all was said and done her adversary was destroyed and her people were saved. It is probably safe to say that Esther never thought in a million years that her destiny would be to save a whole race of people. But her wisdom in dealing with the situation and her courage in stepping out of her comfort zone and taking risks turned into a legacy to treasure.
Two women, both commoners with different gifts and skillsets, changed the world. Both of them had a mentor that loved them and encouraged them. But it was their godly characteristics and faith that catapulted them from average to amazing. We live in the same world they did. It is more modern, yes, but filled with the same challenges and the same stresses that accompany being a part of the human race. Let’s use this Woman’s Day to take their lead and go from average to amazing! It will do a world of good ☺
