I’m sure you have books of the Bible you remember better than others. Maybe there were special visual aids or Bible verses given while you were taught different books or stories. I did not read or know Ruth until I was into my 50’s. I did not fully grasp the purpose of her story or that of Naomi, her mother in-law, nor the significance, until recently. I’ve revisited this story several times lately and laid it out in my mind. Here are some main thoughts.
The characters are few. Only a few are named. The story begins in Moab which is very interesting. Moab is not a beloved place, by God’s chosen people or especially, By God. And yet, Elimelech takes his wife and sons there during a famine in Bethlehem of Judah. This is during the time of judges, before the kings. Elimelech is an Ephrathite (from Ephrath, or Bethlehem). I mention this because of the King who will come out of Bethlehem and the “One” who will be born in Bethlehem. God has cursed Moab for turning away His people on their sojourn out of Egypt. It’s interesting that Elimelech chose to go there but God has plans we don’t always see or understand. Such is the story of Ruth.
Two characters that direct our story die in the beginning, after their father. These are Mahlon and Chilion, sons of Elimelech and Naomi. Now they had married Moabite woman and had resided there about 10 years. Mahlon married Ruth and Chilion married Orpah. Now Naomi was greatly distressed as we can only imagine. After losing all of her kin in Moab she decides to go back to her people in Judah. Both Ruth and Orpah weep and implore her take take them with her. Naomi tells them to return to their mothers and also tells them to find rest in the homes they shared with her sons. Now Orpah finally relents but Ruth clings to Naomi and tells her something remarkable.
“Then she (Naomi) said, “Behold, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or turn back 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 I will be buried. Thus may the LORD do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me.””
Ruth 1:15-17 NASB
Ruth’s loyalty goes beyond this tremendous love she has for Naomi, it profoundly includes Naomi’s people and God! Ruth has found something that now lives in her. She has placed her belief/faith in God. She is determined with a love and strength that has grown in learning who God is through the lives of her husband and in-laws. God works in mysterious and wonderful ways! It is also remarkable to note that Ruth now leaves all she has ever known, her mother, father, their way of life and the only land she’s lived on, to venture into a new, unknown world! She’s even willing to lay down her life for Naomi.
We next find Ruth and Naomi in Bethlehem. Naomi has returned and set the town astir, especially returning with Ruth, the Moabitess. Naomi instructs the people to call her “Mara” because the Lord has dealt bitterly with her. They arrive at the beginning of the barley harvest. This will be Part one. Peace.
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