“For ALL the city of my people doth know that thou art a VIRTUOUS woman.” What a testimony! The account of Ruth is filled with lessons from which we can glean!
Ruth did not start out living for God. Naomi’s testimony must have been such that Ruth learned much from her. When push came to shove, it was this testimony that laid the foundation for David’s future grandmother! (Ruth 1:16-17) Praise the Lord for godly mothers, mothers-in-law, grandmothers, etc.! You just never know who you are influencing to live for the Lord!
Back to our topic 
Here is a woman whose reputation is known all over the city! Wow! That says a lot! Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines virtuous as:
1. Morally good; acting in conformity to the moral law; practicing the moral duties, and abstaining from vice; as a virtuous man.
2. Being in conformity to the moral or divine law; as a virtuous action; a virtuous life.
The mere performance of virtuous actions does not denominate an agent virtuous.
3. Chaste; applied to women.
Ruth’s life displayed the relationship that she had with God. It reminds me of Christ’s teaching about the tree that produced good fruit. (Luke 6:43-44) Word got around town that Ruth actually lived her faith. Can those in our town say the same about us? What’s our testimony like? Do our townsfolk even know who we are? Today’s text says that all of the city knew that Ruth was a virtuous woman.
The term “virtuous woman” can only be found three times in the Scriptures. Once in today’s text and two other times in Proverbs:
Proverbs 12:4
Proverbs 31:10
Notice the circumstances that these three references associate with the virtuous woman:
- Her testimony is beautiful and known by all
- She is a crown to her husband
- Her worth is priceless
Ruth’s testimony was such that God used her in Christ’s lineage! I want to be used of God in such a way that I have a similar effect on my children, my grandchildren, my great grandchildren, etc.! Don’t you?
After salvation, I believe the most important thing for a woman is to be in her Bible! (Psalm 119:9) It is God’s word that cleanses us: the Holy Spirit pricks our hearts with conviction – we repent and confess our sins – and the Lord is faithful and cleanses us! (1 John 1:9) I’m not talking about reading my Bible a mere few minutes a day. I cannot be cleansed by the word of God in three minutes. It would be like taking a bath and only washing my arms! Like anything else in life, nothing is worth getting unless it is gotten by hard work. The more I pour myself into the Scriptures, the more of my sinful nature I see. When we are honest with God, He can finally mold us into the vessels of honour He wishes us to be. (2 Timothy 2:21) Purging ourselves from the things and sins of this world is not easy. However, it is doable.
Ruth was a vessel being used by God unto honour. It was evident in her testimony and Boaz knew it. Boaz became her Kinsman Redeemer and honoured her by taking her as his wife! We are blessed to be part of the Bride and one day soon we will be wed to our Groom! In the mean time, sanctifying ourselves (setting ourselves apart) and purifying ourselves is a priority. The word of God convicts us and heeding His word will set us apart. Spend time every day reading God’s word. Not just a few minutes – pull up a comfy chair and commit yourself to reading, desiring to hear from your Heavenly Father! Put into practice what you read, as Ruth did, and allow the Holy Spirit of God to mold you into a vessel unto honour. Becoming a virtuous woman takes work and conviction. Don’t you want to leave your “mark” as Ruth left hers?
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