I am writing a new book looking at how The Character Map plays out in a Spiritual Journey. Each of the Nine Character Types will be represented with several examples.  Since February is Valentine’s month, I’m starting by posting an iconic Power of Love character from the Bible.

Ruth faces widowhood and heals her broken heart by serving her mother-in-law Naomi, who needs her support. Ruth’s Leap of Faith, though, is thinking independently and untangling herself from Naomi. Ruth is the heroine of the  Biblical Book of Ruth.

RUTH’S WIDOWHOOD AND EXILE

A terrible famine drives Naomi, her husband, Elimelech, and their two sons, to migrate from Judea to Moab. Elimelech dies in the land of Moab. His sons, Mahlon and Chilion, marry Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah, respectively. Both men die ten years later.

Word finally comes that the famine in Judea is over.  Naomi wishes to return home to Bethlehem. She encourages her widowed daughters-in-law to stay in Moab and return to their mothers.

Ruth refuses to abandon Naomi.  The two women travel to Bethlehem together. They arrive exhausted and destitute.  But Elimelech has left them a parcel of land. The women must find a male relative to help them redeem their inheritance, or they will be forced to give the property up. (Women in that time could not own land.)

RUTH’S CHARACTER MAP

Let’s look at how Ruth’s Spiritual Journey plays out in the Character Map.

RUTH’S MASK  (Point One of the Diamond) Ruth presents herself as Helpful,  Empathetic, Kind

Ruth provides companionship and comfort for Naomi. Her decision to look after Naomi isn’t a selfish one but provides Ruth with a distraction from the loss she has faced. She transplants her affections for her husband onto her bereaved mother-in-law. But Ruth cannot live her life through Naomi.

RUTH’S FEAR (Point Two of the Diamond) Being: A Disappointment, Abandoned, Unwanted

Ruth has lost her husband and has no children. People might wonder if she is barren. As a barren widow, Ruth has no use or purpose in her culture.

If she leaves Naomi, Ruth has no one. Ruth could return home to her mother, but would likely be a social outcast. Taking the journey to Judah with Naomi means Ruth has a purpose. Ruth needs Naomi as much as Naomi needs Ruth.

“And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law (goodbye), but Ruth clung to her.” Ruth 1:14

The story has a happy ending, Ruth marries a second husband, Boaz, and has a child named Obed, King David’s grandfather. By the end of Ruth’s story, she is far from a disappointment or an outcast, she is loved by many and has found her place in a new land. But to achieve this, she must stop following Naomi’s lead and cease caring exclusively for her.

RUTH’S STRONGEST TRAITS (Point Three of the Diamond) Being: Generous, Compassionate, Caring

Naomi suffers unimaginable grief after losing her husband and both of her sons.

“She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went away full, and the LORD has brought me back empty.” Ruth 1: 20-21

Ruth understands what Naomi endures, and her empathy begins to change Naomi for the better. Ruth is a lifeline for Naomi. Naomi gives Ruth a purpose, and Ruth’s kindness and dedication helps Naomi overcome her loss.

“But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where 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. May the LORD do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” – Ruth 1:16-17

RUTH’S TROUBLE TRAITS (Point Five of the Diamond) Being: Needy, Possessive, Dependent

Ruth feels she needs Naomi if she is to survive. Since both women have lost everything, Ruth takes comfort in providing for Naomi. This focus is admirable but stunts Ruth’s personal and spiritual development. By relying on her Strongest Traits, Ruth feeds her fear of being alone and unwanted. If she can see beyond Naomi, she can have the life God intended for her.

Ignoring Naomi’s advice and sticking to what she (Ruth) thinks is right is what finally brings Ruth happiness. It takes courage to go against her mother-in-law’s instructions and follow her own moral code.

GOD’S CALL TO RUTH (Point Four of the Diamond) Becoming: Strong, Confident, Independent

When working in the local fields, Ruth meets the owner, Boaz, a distant relative of her late husband. Boaz protects Ruth and invites her to eat with him and his workers, and keeps aside extra grain for her.

Naomi admires Boaz. Boaz looks after his workers. He has strong family loyalty and assures her there will be enough grain for both Ruth and Naomi. He has made a prosperous life for himself. Naomi advises Ruth to seduce Boaz.

“Wash therefore and anoint yourself, and put on your cloak and go down to the threshing floor, but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. But when he lies down, observe the place where he lies. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what to do.” And she replied, “All that you say I will do.” Ruth 2: 3-4

Instead, Ruth takes the more courageous route of frankly asking for what she wants rather than using manipulation and seduction.

At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet! He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.” Ruth 3:9

By being a redeemer (a male family position), Boaz can redeem Naomi’s land.

RUTH’S DARK SIDE (Point Six of the Diamond) Being: Insecure, Dependent, Manipulative

Ruth doesn’t fall to the Dark Side and use sexual enticement as a way to get help. She has the strength and courage to ask for what she needs directly.  Boaz responds with respect.

And he said, “May you be blessed by the LORD, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman.” Ruth 3: 10-12

Boaz soon takes Ruth for a wife.  If Ruth had seduced him, as advised, she might have become no more than a concubine, not an uncommon position for a woman whose role is primarily sexual. Instead, taking the more direct, forthright, and moral route rewards Ruth with respect.

RUTH’S WANT: Hold on to Naomi

Caring for Naomi means Ruth can hide from her feelings and not address the death of her husband. If she stays focused on her mother-in-law, Ruth can toil in the fields, and not have much of a life. If she follows Naomi’s advice, Ruth would never become a respected wife and mother. She would still be dependent.

RUTH’S NEED: Move on from the past and be more independent of mind

As Ruth stops being so focused on what Naomi needs, she realizes that she can have a happy new life for herself. (Power of Love Characters often don’t see beyond the immediate object of their affection.) Ruth must stand up and think for herself.

RUTH’S PRICE: Be strong and speak her mind even if this defies Naomi

Ruth is respectful and commands respect. She is a “worthy” woman. Her strength of character finds favor in Boaz’s eyes, and he makes her his wife.

“All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. The LORD repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!” Ruth 2: 11-12