“In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. The man’s name was Elimelek, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there.
Now Elimelek, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.
When Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, she and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there. With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah.
Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home. May the Lord show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me. May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.”
Then she kissed them goodbye and they wept aloud and said to her, “We will go back with you to your people.”
But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands? Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons— would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord’s hand has turned against me!”
At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her.
“Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.”
But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.” (Ruth 1:1-18, NIV)
There are only two books in the Bible named dedicated to, and celebrating a woman: Esther and Ruth. I mention that was because it’s not common in ancient writings or ancient religions to elevate women. Debra, Esther, Ruth, Mary—heroines of our faith. The heroes in this book are women—not men. Ruth and Naomi are the stars of this narrative. And what wonderful role models they serve to you and me, regardless of our gender! They represent the ultimate in term of loyalty, friendship, love, trust and suffering as one.
People usually focus on Ruth, but there’s a lot to be said about her mother-in-law, Naomi. She speaks volumes about the character of a godly woman. That’s what grabbed my attention this past week. Think about it. Naomi was Jewish—-but Ruth was not Jewish—she was a part of the Edomite nation—an enemy of the Jews. They worshipped a a false god, helped fight against the Jews. They had their own culture, religion, rules and way of life. And yet Ruth held tight to Naomi, even though there was no financial or personal benefit for her. They were all quite destitute and Naomi could offer Ruth nothing. And yet Ruth would not let go of her!
Ruth was loyal and dedicated to Naomi—-but why???? Naomi lost her husband, her two sons, all that she had. But it’s clear that she never lost her faith in God—in awe and reverence she continued to honor and serve God. She did not curse at God, or decide to become a prostite, or take out her grief and disappointment on her daughters-in-law. Naomi was full of “class”, if you will. Evidently the manner in which she lived her life; with grace, dignity, kindness and gratitude for the good things she once enjoyed; made quite an impact on Ruth.
Sadly, it was not the same with Orpah, but that’s true to life. Sometimes children, in the same family, with the same parents, in the same house, experience the same love, care, teaching and discipline, but make vastly different choices. It’s all a part of that free will God has gifted to each of us. Ruths are rare—Orpahs are quite common….
Ruth was loyal to Naomi—she loved Naomi—with such steadfast affection and admiration that she could not let go of her—because Naomi warranted and earned that respect. Ruth made it clear, by agreeing to leave her own people….her customs and destiny with her blood family that there was something very special about Naomi. She wanted to adopt all of Naomi’s ways of living. She had watched Naomi for years and was determined to not let go. Most importantly, she even sought the faith of Naomi—-“your God will become my God!”
These stories were recorded for our benefit! It’s as if God were saying: THIS is loyalty! THIS is true love and affection. THIS is the how lives can be changed and re-directed when your life is an example of purity and faith! Naomi is the ultimate example in the Old Testament of evangelism! Naomi’s witness of the reality of God in her life, and how that life was naturally devoted to, and faithful to, God must have been something quite spell-binding to behold—-and Ruth wanted the same kind of relationship with God.
Whatever had infected Naomi, spiritually speaking is the same thing Ruth wanted to catch!!! Orpah, by contast, had received the world’s vaccine against a spiritual life—-she was looking out for herself and what would be the easiest road to take—-which meant going back to her home country and her pagan ways—she knew them well, it would be an easy transition. But Ruth saw in Naomi all she had hoped for in a friend….a mentor….and guide to God!
Ruth made a commitment to follow Naomi’s God. She would abandon the gods of Moab, and Ruth and Naomi would both be committed to the one true God of Israel. Significantly, when Ruth said, “May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me” (verse 17), she uses the covenant name Yahweh. Naomi was convinced Ruth was serious: “When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her” (Ruth 1:18). With Ruth’s decision made, Ruth and Naomi set out for Bethlehem together.
The story of Ruth and Naomi is significant, not just because of the loyalty modeled by Ruth but because of the way it reveals the sovereignty of God. In Bethlehem, the Lord allowed Ruth to remarry and give birth to a son named Obed, who became grandfather to King David. Despite Ruth’s non-Jewish, outsider status, God worked through her life to change the history of the world.
Again, Ruth said this to Naomi—-and she meant it: “Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me” (Ruth 1:16–17). We use same words at weddings!
Have you read this book recently? It brought tears to my eyes as I read the second chapter this past week. Surely the book of Ruth is one of the most beautiful books in the Bible. For 4000 years it’s been cited for its literary excellence. It’s a testimony as to what one, simple, destitute, Moabite widow could become when God’s hand was upon her and she lived righteously. It does not matter how tough your situation appears, or how hopeless your life might be to you—-the plight of Ruth was worse!!! And yet, she became an essential character in the most important story in the history of the world.
But the other point, again, is Naomi. She’s central to this story. If Ruth had no regard for Naomi….no respect….no love or admiration for her, this book would not be in the Bible.
If Naomi was a fraud, a follower of God in name only, or without faith, Ruth would have never:
-stayed with Naomi
-obeyed Naomi
-trusted Naomi
-been rewarded with such a wonderful life and fulfilled life!
But because Naomi earned her admiration and trust, Ruth clung tight to Naomi—she trusted her, followed her, placed her faith in God because He was Naomi’s God…. and she got remarried and became a mother! She was not a Jew, but she became the grandparent of David. And think of this: Jesus Christ’s lineage is traced directly to Ruth!
We need more Naomis in this world. Each one of us here have, or could have, potential “Ruth’s” in our lives—-people desperate for a guide to God! There are people out that there that you could lead to God, but not if you’re life is not shining for Him. And those same people that you guide to God, God might use in more incredible ways than He ever uses you!
But you and I must be faithful and provide the witness—-the life—that others will trust until they are able to place their trust in Jesus Christ Himself……..Lord make us worthy!
FURTHER S
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