Practical Lessons from Ruth
Since we have observed many practical lessons from the seventh book of the Bible, let us now move on to the eighth book, Ruth.

1. IT IS IMPORTANT & POSSIBLE TO GET ALONG WITH YOUR IN-LAWS.
Ruth 1:16,17 - "But Ruth said, 'Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried. The LORD do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me.'"
Having a positive and loving relationship with one's in-laws is a challenge for many, but it is certainly not impossible, as Ruth illustrates. Ruth's love for her mother-in-law was exceedingly deep. Her level of devotion and commitment is commendable. Even though she had become a widow, she would not abandon her husband's mother.

2. THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD IS REAL.
Ruth 2:1-3 - "There was a relative of Naomi's husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech. His name was Boaz. So Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, 'Please let me go to the field, and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight I may find favor.' And she said to her, 'Go, my daughter.' Then she left, and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers. And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech."
The text says "she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz", suggesting it was viewed as a coincidence. But was it merely good luck that she ended up in the field of a near-relative who would have the heart to treat her kindly and even marry her, a foreigner, or was God involved providentially in some fashion? I'm inclined to think the latter, though I cannot be dogmatic at this point in the text (e.g., Phile. 15). We know elsewhere in Scripture that God's providence is proclaimed - "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose" (Rom. 8:28). Things sure worked together well in the end for Ruth, one who loved God.

3. WHEN YOU ARE BEING BLESSED, IT IS BEST TO REMEMBER OTHERS.
Ruth 2:14,18 - "Then Boaz said to her at mealtime, 'Come here, and eat of the bread, and dip your piece of bread in the vinegar.' So she sat beside the reapers, and he passed parched grain to her; and she ate and was satisfied, and kept some back...Then she took it up and went into the city, and her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. So she brought out and gave to her what she had kept back after she had been satisfied."
A selfish person would have thought only of herself in this situation, but Ruth is ever mindful of her mother-in-law and her needs. When God blesses us today, we are wise to remember others and bless them as we have opportunity (cf. Gal. 6:10).

4. GOD HAS ALWAYS CARED FOR THE GENTILES.
Ruth 2:20 - "Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, 'Blessed be he of the LORD, who has not forsaken His kindness to the living and the dead!' And Naomi said to her, 'This man is a relation of ours, one of our close relatives.'"
God cared for Naomi and Ruth, and He showed kindness to Hebrews and Gentiles (e.g., Jonah 3). Although the descendants of Abraham had special privileges and blessings, this is not to suggest that God did not love the Gentile nations (cf. John 3:16).

5. SOME WILL ONLY DO WHAT IS RIGHT IF IT DOESN'T COST THEM MUCH.
Ruth 4:6 - "And the close relative said, 'I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I ruin my own inheritance. You redeem my right of redemption for yourself, for I cannot redeem it.'"
It appears that the man was more than willing to buy Naomi's land as long as he would not suffer any loss in so doing, but as soon as he learned that he would be responsible to raise up an heir through Ruth, he backed out. He would suffer financial loss if he had to purchase the land and then father a son to inherit it for another man's family. Boaz was willing to do what was right, even though it wouldn't be economically wise. It is often the case that doing the right thing is costly. Are we willing to sacrifice and pay the necessary price?