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Gentleness vs.Harshness "Showing consideration and personal concern for others"
GENTLENESS- A One-Minute Testimonial Announcement Contributed by Trudy Pettibone RUTH Ruth was a foreigner who married an Israelite man (sometime during the period of the Judges in Israel's history, 1373-1021 BC.) When her husband died, Ruth saw that her departure would leave Naomi, her widowed mother-in-law, without companionship and means of support. Ruth loved her mother-in-law. To Naomi's urging to return to her own people, Ruth responded with her heart-rending pledge of commitment: Do not press me to leave you or to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die, I will die - there I will be buried. May the Lord do thus and so to me, and more as well, even if death parts me from you (Ruth 1:16-17). Ruth’s consideration and personal concern for Naomi were great. Ruth stayed with Naomi, and became the means of support for the two women. In the process of demonstrating her concern, Ruth met Boaz, a wealthy landowner and kinsman to Naomi. Boaz showed gentleness for Ruth, recognizing what she had done for Naomi. In time, Boaz and Ruth were married. This marriage produced a son who was called Obed. Obed became the grandfather of King David. Even though she was a foreigner, Ruth, by her gentleness, became a member of the Messianic line of Jesus. God richly blessed Ruth through her gentleness towards others. [Ruth 1-4] This material is published by the Faith Committee of the Character Council of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Reproduction and Adaptation is encouraged.
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