Living to God's glory Role Models

Ruth: A Biblical Role Model Part One: Loyalty

Ruth: A Biblical Role Model Part One: Loyalty Image 1

In our world today we all have role models. People we either want to act like, look like, or be treated like—someone we look up to in every way. Having role models helps us become better women and in the process, better tools to further God’s kingdom. As a young adult myself, I believe Ruth is a perfect role model for the young women of today’s society. Not only was Ruth loyal, she was also honest and brave.

This is part one of two in the Ruth: A Biblical Role Model series. Over the course of these articles, I hope to encourage you, dear Rose, that having a Biblical role model can help you to be the person God wants you to be.

Loyalty

As young women, some of us were raised on fairy tales like Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. But waiting for a fairy godmother to appear and solve all our problems isn’t how God works. He leaves us little crumbs—A little here, a little there—and suddenly you know what the right decision is. When Ruth was loyal to God and Naomi’s plan for her, God was loyal right back. The same goes for us.

Ruth is most remembered for her loyalty. From the first chapter, Ruth proves herself loyal to those around her by trusting in her elders. It is easiest to find this in her relationship with her mother-in-law, Naomi. Ruth has just lost her husband, and yet, instead of returning to her previous life, she begs Naomi to be permitted to journey with her (Ruth 1:16-17).

Ruth: A Biblical Role Model Part One: Loyalty Graphic 1

Loyalty doesn’t always have to be a big showy thing. Sometimes it’s as simple as obedience. In chapter two, Naomi instructs Ruth to venture out and glean from the fields, and Ruth does. In this instance, Ruth’s obedience creates a way to care for her family and prove her loyalty to Naomi. This is a lesson we should all take to heart. Obedience, faithfulness, and devotion are just some of the ways Ruth showed she was loyal. By following in her footsteps, we as young women can learn to be unwavering. Not only in our faith, but in our principles. By learning to be steadfast, we can become the women God wants us to be in order to fulfill our duty in His kingdom.

Ruth’s loyalty was both spiritual and relational. In chapter one, verses 16 and 17, Ruth demonstrates both. By leaving her home after the death of her husband, Ruth proves herself relationally loyal, and by accepting Naomi’s God as her own, spiritually loyal.

The fifth verse of chapter three has a little more testing. Here, Naomi tells Ruth to go and lay at Boaz’s feet. Now today, this sounds strange, right? If she wanted his attention, why go and lay at his feet? What Ruth was going to tell Boaz was not for everyone to hear. It was like insurance. If something went wrong, Ruth wouldn’t end up ruined. By obeying Naomi, Ruth protects her reputation and secures her future.

Ruth: A Biblical Role Model Part One: Loyalty Graphic 2

A prevalent theme throughout this part of Ruth’s story is her trust in her elders. Without learning to trust and obey those who were wiser than her, Ruth never would have been able to do the things she did. The same goes for us as we grow and mature into the responsible and loyal young women God intends for us to be.

Looking Back

Ruth isn’t the only example of loyalty. When it comes to the Bible, there is plenty to go around. But none sum it up quite as well as the following verses. Let’s take a look.

“Then said Jonathan unto David, whatsoever your soul desires, I will do for you.”
~ 1 Samuel 20:4 HCSB

  The bond between Jonathan and David is one of the deepest friendships recorded in the Bible. Jonathan’s wholehearted loyalty to David demonstrates the depth of their friendship. By choosing David, Jonathan chooses loyalty over family. 

“A person should consider us in this way: as servants of Christ and managers of God’s mysteries. In this regard, it is expected of managers that each one of them be found faithful.”
~ 1 Corinthians 4:1-2   HCSB

Ruth: A Biblical Role Model Part One: Loyalty Image 2

In the verses above, Paul is telling the Corinthians how to be “faithful managers”. Faithful is also another word for loyal. If we are not loyal, then God cannot trust us to be good stewards of what He has given us.

We need to remain loyal to what God has entrusted to us so that we can spread His message and reflect His character correctly. Just like when Ruth trusts in God’s plan for her.

And remember, dear Rose, God is always there for us when we need Him. That doesn’t mean He’ll magically appear like the fairy godmother in Cinderella, but that does mean He will be there to guide us back to His ways just like He guided Ruth to follow Naomi and find the ending God had in store for her.

And unlike bippity, boppity, boo’s, His promises don’t expire at midnight.

To Be Continued…

What are some ways you can be loyal to those around you?

Comment below, Roses, and let’s uplift each other!

About the Author

Jaybird Summers

Jaybird Summers can rarely be found without her book or pen. As she’s matured, so has her joy of writing. Edward Bulwer-Lytton once wrote “The pen is mightier than the sword.” She’s never believed that more than when she’s writing for the encouragement of others with God’s word. Connect with her on Instagram.

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