We reside in a society that categorize and place labels on people. Some people are defined by their race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic level, geographic location or educational level. Our capitalist and individualistic society seems to have evolved into a type of social Darwinism where only the well-connected and heavily resourced will survive. Unfortunately, those assigned to the “underclass” – those living in or on the edges of poverty, the undereducated, the unhealthy, the homeless, persons challenged with substances, individuals who are progressing through mental challenges, returning citizens, or the unpopular – appear invisible to the larger society.

Despite their resilience, determination, and resourcefulness, they are sometimes perceived as the underdog.

Conversely, some of us enjoy reading stories and watching movies where the perceived underdog accomplishes something others deem impossible. In the movie, The Waterboy, Adam Sandler’s character transitioned from being a water boy to becoming the MVP of the college bowl game. Similarly, there are some women who enjoy the story of Cinderella as she progressed from being a maid, to her stepfamily, to becoming a princess. To make this more personable, I suspect that many of you defied the odds by surviving abuse and/or neglect, purchasing a vehicle, gaining and sustaining employment, graduating high school, obtaining a GED, working full-time and attending college part-time, recovering from alcohol and/or drugs, starting a business, leaving an unhealthy relationship, surviving COVID, progressing from poverty to the middle class, or accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.

The bible is comprised of multiple accounts of God using ordinary people to perform exceptional acts. For instance, David went from herding sheep to becoming King of Israel. Joseph was thrown in a pit by his brothers and years later became second to Pharaoh. Gideon spiritually transitioned from weakness to becoming a warrior. However, one of the greatest stories is that of Ruth.

Sometimes, when the biblical story of Ruth is recited, there is a great emphasis on the story’s ending. Specifically, the account of Ruth finding love with Boaz. This passage will focus on Ruth’s journey leading to her encounter with Boaz.

The story begins with the foundation of Ruth’s father-in-law, Elimelech. Now, Elimelech, his wife, Naomi and two children, Mahlon and Chilion, left their native land and traveled to Moab due to a famine. Unfortunately, Elimelech died leaving his wife and children. Their children each married and after roughly 10 years, they both died. Naomi is left with her daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah. At some point, Naomi was informed that the Lord visited His people and provided bread. At this time, Naomi made the decision to return home to Judah. Naomi encouraged Ruth and Orpah to return to their mothers as she has no male sons for them to marry. Orpah made the decision to depart for her homeland. However, Ruth was determined to follow Naomi to Judah. Upon arrival to her homeland, Naomi decided to change her name to “Mara” to reflect God’s consequence for her disobedience. Consequently, the timeframe was also the start of the barley harvest where Ruth received Naomi’s consent to glean in the field, which neighbored Boaz’s field. Now, Boaz was the relative of Elimelech, Naomi’s deceased husband. Through divine guidance, Ruth began gleaning in Boaz’s field which led to their first encounter. Ruth asked Boaz for permission to continue gleaning the fields. Boaz responded by instructing her to only glean in his field and stay near the young women. He then commanded the young men to not touch her. Boaz instructed Ruth where she could find water. In appreciation, Ruth bowed down and inquired why Boaz has shown such favor especially since she is a stranger. Boaz informed Ruth that he was told how she had helped her mother-in-law, left the land of her birth family, and chose to live among people who are strangers. Boaz extended his favor by not limiting where Ruth could glean and instructed his workers to intentionally leave grain for her to pick-up. The gleaning and additional grain allowed Ruth to provide for she and Naomi. Following this encounter, Naomi informed Ruth that Boaz was a close relative. Ruth continued gleaning until the end of the harvest. (Ruth 1-2 NKJV)

With that said, one may wonder, how is it that Ruth is an underdog? First, the above passage indicates that Ruth is from Moab and Moabites were the offspring of Lot. According to the bible, Lot engaged in an incestuous relationship with his daughters. (Genesis 19:30-37 NKJV). Second, according to Leviticus 23:22 (NKJV), the task of gleaning is to be left for people who are poor and/or strangers. Third, when Naomi and Ruth settled in Bethlehem, they had limited resources.

Empowerment Points

• Your current circumstances are not an indication of your future. (Ruth was married, became a widow, and later remarried into royalty.)

• Re-evaluate your life and make the decision to do something different. (Naomi made the decision to leave Moab and return to Judah. Similarly, Ruth made the decision to follow Naomi instead of returning to her homeland.)

• We sometimes experience the valley before the peak. (Naomi and Ruth traveled from Moab to Judah with little to no resources. Ruth gleaned the fields to provide for their basic needs.)

“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” (John 15:16 NKJV)