UBCNews - Business - Biblical Love Stories: Lessons From Ruth, Esther & More For Valentine's Day

Episode Date: January 31, 2026

Hey everyone, welcome back! So, Valentine's Day—we see romance everywhere this time of year, right? But have you ever thought about the love stories actually in the Bible? I mean, they're fascinating, and they've got some serious depth to them. Wordsmith World City: Big Spring Address: Texas Website: https://bettyjohansen.com/

Hey everyone, welcome back. So Valentine's Day, we see romance everywhere this time of year, right? But have you ever thought about the love stories actually in the Bible? I mean, they're fascinating, and they've got some serious depth to them. Absolutely. And what's really cool is these aren't just romantic tales. They're packed with lessons about faith, loyalty, and the kind of love that builds lasting relationships. Take Ruth and Boas, for example.

their story is one of my favorites. Ruth and Boaz, yeah, that's a beautiful one. What stands out to you about them? Well, Ruth was a widow caring for her mother-in-law Naomi. She ends up working in Boaz's field, and he notices her noble character. He's protective, caring, and supportive. He even makes sure she works in a safe environment

with other women so the young men don't harass her. It's love that looks out for the other person's well-being. That's such a good point. It's love and action, not just words. So, uh, when we think about building lasting relationships, that protective and caring element really matters, doesn't it? Exactly. And then there's Jacob and Rachel.

Talk about working hard for the one you desire. Jacob worked seven years without pay just to marry Rachel. And the Bible says those seven years felt like only a few days to him because of his love for her. Even after being deceived, he worked another seven years. Wow. 14 years total. That's commitment on a whole different level. I mean, could you imagine that today? Right. It shows us that real love is willing to work, to wait, to endure challenges. And in the end,

Jacob was rewarded with the woman he loved. Actually, I once heard a pastor joke that Jacob must have really loved Rachel to work 14 years. Most of us can barely commit to a gym membership for 14 months. Ha, that's so true. So we've got protection and hard work. What about the original romance, Adam and Eve? Oh, the very first, Adam and Eve represent that blissful companionship where nothing matters but the two of you. They were completely comfortable with each other, needing only each other's company. Of course, things got complicated when they ate the forbidden fruit and became self-conscious, but the initial relationship shows us that mutual company is paramount. Mm-hmm. Makes sense. And then Isaac and Rebecca. That's actually the first time the word love is used between a man and a woman in the Bible, isn't it? Yes, Isaac's father sent a servant to find a wife for him, and the servant prayed for God's guidance. He found Rebecca, and when Isaac met her, he loved her. She brought comfort to him after his mother's death. It's a reminder that love often comes when we need it most, and sometimes it's divinely guided. That point about divinely guided love sets up our next piece.

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Learn more at bettyjohansson.com. Picking up on that divinely guided love, how do you see faith shaping these relationships in ways that modern couples might overlook? Great question. Faith provides a foundation extending deeper than just the two people. Like Hannah and Alcana, they loved each other,

but Hannah couldn't have children, which caused jealousy and depression. Their love alone couldn't overcome the challenges. they needed God's intervention, and God blessed them with a son, Samuel. So love and faith working together. What about the Song of Songs? That's got to be the most sensual book in the Bible, right? Definitely. Solomon and the Shulamite capture this all-consuming desire for intimacy. The poetry is beautiful and passionate, and it actually reflects God's own desire to be close to us. It's a reminder that romantic love, when rooted in faith, can be

deeply fulfilling. You know I remember reading Song of Songs for the first time as a teenager and being shocked that it was in the Bible. It really changed how I saw the connection between faith and romance. I love that parallel. Now, not all biblical love stories are totally positive, though. Have you ever wondered which ones serve as warnings? What about Samson and Delilah? Oh, that's the cautionary tale. Manipulation, betrayal, passion, it's toxic. Delilah was paid by the Philistines to find out the source of Samson's strength. She attempted to betray his confidence three times before he finally revealed his secret, leading to his capture, torture, and death.

It's a warning about loving someone whose loyalty lies elsewhere, about betrayal and material love over genuine affection. Love really can be blind, can it? And then there's Josea and Gomer, which is just heartbreaking but also powerful. Yes, God instructed Hosea to marry an adulterous woman, and Hosea loved her unconditionally. When Gomer ended up as a slave, Hosea redeemed her by paying a price, demonstrating a godly, redemptive love that drove him to buy her freedom. That's redemptive love at its finest, loving someone despite their failures.

In other words, it's love that doesn't give up, even when it would be easier to walk away. That's powerful. So to everyone listening, think about these three core lessons. Protective love, working hard through challenges, and unconditional, redemptive love. Those themes appear again and again. Right. And honestly, the greatest love story in the Bible is Jesus and us. He's the bridegroom, we're the bride. He pursues us relentlessly, like a young man in love.

There's no greater romance than that. Beautiful way to wrap this up. Thanks so much for walking us through these stories. I think we all have a lot to reflect on this Valentine's Day. My pleasure. It's been great chatting with you, and happy Valentine's Day.