⏱ 6 min read

Scripture Passage: Ruth 1:6-22

In the previous post, we looked at how some righteous people leave blessed places due to some suffering and pitch their tents in ‘seemingly fruitful’ places (eg. Elimech and Naomi; Lot and his household). We read that righteous people also experience the storms of life, violent winds of life, etc. (Matthew 7:25-27).

We also saw some of the downhill effects of where you choose to pitch your tent. Some of which may not affect you directly but may affect your choices, your children/family, your character, faith, etc. Let’s continue with our story in Ruth 1.

In the midst of all that Naomi went through, it seemed she herself, was still standing firm in her walk with God. Because how come both her daughters-in-law, wanted to follow her back to Israel? (I mean, there must be something about a broke widow who has lost her sons for you to want to leave your family and country to follow).

And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each to her mother’s house. The Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. The Lord grant that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband.” So she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept. And they said to her, “Surely we will return with you to your people.”

• Naomi actually had to try hard and discourage them from following her. This was what caused Orpah to eventually turn back (v11-14).
• Naomi also blessed them and said: May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have been kind to me and my sons. May the Lord grant you rest in the house of your new husbands.

The relationship between Naomi and her daughters-in-law is such a rare, loving, affectionate relationship. I pray we will all have such loving relationships (with friends, spouses, church, family, etc).

This is where the even rarer love, kindness and loyalty of Ruth came forth. She made her eternal consecration to follow Naomi and the God of Israel by some very strong determined words of love and loyalty (Ruth 1:14-17).

Then they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. (v14)

For that decision to cling on, she was greatly rewarded by being in the lineage of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:6). Note again, this was a decision of the company Ruth decided to pitch her tent with or associate with – this time from a cursed land to a covenant nation (God’s family)!

I believe the 7-fold statement of Ruth is something we all desire in relationships (especially marital relationships):

• 1. Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you: Please don’t deny me this plea or request.
• 2. Wherever you go, I will go: I am following hard after you.
• 3. Wherever you lodge, I will lodge: I am following your decisions on this journey.
• 4. Your people shall be my people: I accept your family as my very own family.
• 5. Your God shall be my God: From today, I serve the God you serve, the way you do.
• 6. Where you die, I will die and there I will be buried: I am willing to follow you to the point of death!
• 7. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me: I mean these words wholeheartedly, and I put my life on the line for them!

Woow… such strong words for a vow! May we be like Ruth in our relationships, and I pray may God give us such people also!

“But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?” ~ Ruth 1:20-21

By the end of the ten years, Naomi had experienced severe hardships: She had left Israel married, the mother of two sons, full and secure. She returned widowed, childless, empty, and poor (but with a Ruth!).

• She changed her name to Mara, to express the bitterness and pain she felt. Naomi was not rejecting God by openly expressing her pain; no.
• However, at this point, she seemed to have lost sight of the tremendous resources she had in her relationships with Ruth and with God.
• With the blessing of Ruth, her life totally changed, and God gave her laughter and pleasantness again. Ruth was said to be worth more than 7 sons (Ruth 4:14-15).

When we face bitter and tough times, God welcomes our honest prayers; pour out your heart and be sincere with Him. Just be careful not to overlook the love, strength, and resources that He provides in that present circumstances nor the relationships He gives you. And let’s not allow offence, bitterness, and disappointment to blind us to opportunities and blessings around.

What is your sincere heartfelt prayer you want to pour out to the Lord? Pray also for the kind of love and loyalty Naomi found in Ruth; pray also that you will be described as having that same kind of love.

Hey, you're blessed and highly favoured and dearly loved!
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