1.
Introduction
This was how this
woman Naomi felt about her life! Look at verse 21. Naomi had left Bethlehem in
Judah for Moab, with a husband and two sons, ten years earlier, and now
returned with seemingly nothing. She was really depressed! And because of the
Hebrew mind thinking that everything that happens (good or bad) comes from God,
this set Naomi up for her relationship with God to be particularly strained (if
not diminished). When things are going well, we can easily suggest that God
only works for our good. Sometimes though, when things are traumatic, and we
have been taught about an all-powerful God, it’s understandable that our faith
is shaken. Reassurance is needed. Love is needed. When life takes tragic turns,
God often chooses to use a human touch to restore people’s equilibrium. This
was the case here, as Ruth touches the life of Naomi.
2.
Changing
Names
There was a sense
of Divine guidance in heading off to more prosperous Moab (modern day Jordan),
and then returning to Judah (southern kingdom of Israel) when food had been
restored to that land. However, between these trips, Naomi had lost her husband
and two sons. We are not told how or why! But we do get the sense that these
were great losses and probably premature, and thus a real shock to Naomi.
We can tell that
Naomi has been a lovely person, given her caring relationships with her
daughters-in-law. She clearly appreciated how they had been good wives to her
sons (v. 8). Despite her own despair and loss, Naomi thought kindly about her
daughters-in-law. Such love is seen in how these feelings were reciprocated
(v.9b, 14a) – in tears at the very thought of separation. Such care clearly
made Ruth particularly responsive to Naomi’s God (v.16b). Despite how she felt
about her own future, Naomi believed that her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth,
would be best served in Moab (with their own people). Naomi certainly had a
heart for these two younger women.
However, Naomi
also sensed herself changing in personality and knew that her life was falling
apart (refer verse 20). She wanted to be no longer known under the name of
Naomi (which suggested sweetness), but rather now “Mara” (suggesting
bitterness). Here is sadness, loneliness, hurt, grief, pain and depression;
with feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.
3.
Ruth’s
Response
This deep change,
through grief, is what Ruth recognised in Naomi. Maybe the other
daughter-in-law Orpah saw it too, but not as clearly and perhaps was not quite
as emotionally moved. The text is not critical of Orpah; perhaps because it was
her particular destiny to return to Moab and marry there (just as Naomi
thought it to be). Naomi repeatedly suggested that Ruth, also, should not
carry on with her to Bethlehem, but rather return to Moab with Orpah. For Ruth
would know no-one in Bethlehem, she would be a young foreign widow, and thus
would NOT have it easy.
Naomi explains
that she has no hope of another husband herself, she would be too old anyway to
produce other sons, and even if she could – the age gap would be too great to
be of any help to Ruth. It may have been part of Naomi’s faith decline, that
she did not see any positive possibilities in Ruth migrating to Judah.
Ruth could have, without too much regret, returned to the house of her own
mother, and fitted back into a more comfortable existence. Naomi’s advice did
make a lot of sense, but Ruth would hear none of it!!
No one would have
blamed Ruth for doing what would have been customary and sensible. But instead,
Ruth sensed a real responsibility to stay with her mother-in-law. Clearly Naomi
had wanted the company (and an on-going relationship), as she had started out
with her daughters-in-law before it occurred to her she should send them back.
This was perhaps a clue (or a cue) that Ruth had carefully picked up on.
The idea of
acting kindly was introduced in verse 8b, where Naomi sought to bless Ruth with
the Lord’s kindness. This blessing was on the basis of how Ruth had already
treated Naomi and her family. You might see that acts of kindness are
reciprocated and build a dynamic where kindness (rather than selfishness)
becomes the norm. Ruth is kind to her mother-in-law, Naomi is kind as a result,
and now Ruth really puts kindness into action (on behalf of Naomi). We shall
see that the whole book of Ruth is a testimony to “kindness” (and provides a
forerunner for the ultimate loving-kindness of Jesus).
Ruth will now
continue demonstrating such kindness in her decision to stay with Naomi. The
Hebrew word “khesed” here refers to kindness that goes well beyond anything the
law requires or what might be deemed normal. This is kindness, over and
above – down the extra mile. “Khesed”, or ‘loving-kindness’, is thoroughly
loyal – and is an act of solidarity. We might easily overlook the fact that
Ruth herself had lost a husband; and given that there had been no
children, her marriage may well have been cut very short! Whatever grief Ruth
was feeling herself, this drew her closer towards Naomi’s grief.
4.
A
Sense of Call
We may conclude,
that this feeling of real responsibility that Ruth had … was a call from God –
a fairly clear leading, a bit of a ‘no-brainer’, based on an existing
relationship with another person in acute and deep need. Sometimes we might
wonder what God would have us do (and we are looking fairly far-afield), when
the answer is right smack-bang in front of us. You could just imagine, as you
read this text, Ruth being side-by-side with Naomi, an arm around her, guiding
her home to Bethlehem. We read, Ruth “clung” to Naomi (v.14b)! This commitment
was spelt out in the following verses (16-17a). Resistance on the part of Naomi
became futile (v.18); such was the sincerity and integrity of Ruth’s
commitment.
With
“loving-kindness” often comes personal sacrifice. [Just think of Jesus leaving
the perfect communal harmony of heaven to live in the fragile environment on
earth and die a torturous death on a cross.] Ruth was committing herself to a
new country with a different culture (never to return to Moab), to a new home
and a new community (come what may), and a total allegiance to Naomi’s God (who
she had no background understanding of). The reader is reminded in verse 22
that Ruth is a “Moabite”, which suggests her future may not be easy (in Judah).
Moab was NOT a
country well regarded in Judah; there was a long history of animosity here.
Deuteronomy evens bans the descendants of Moabites to the tenth generation
entering the assembly of the Lord (23:3), leading to a view that God was
disinterested in such people. But clearly, when a nation comes to have a face,
and a personality, and living breath, things are different!
How will all
this go for Ruth? We’ll find that out in chapter two.
5.
Back
in Bethlehem
When Naomi with
Ruth returned and walked into the town together, we read that, “the whole town
was stirred because of them” (v.19). What do you think this was about?? A
reaction to how Naomi looked, maybe!?! “Is this Naomi?”, they said. Certainly
she was older, but perhaps there was more to see in her appearance. Perhaps
this ‘buzz’ or reaction was more about a young foreign woman holding Naomi’s
hand as she returns home! What does this mean? It was a Moabite woman, who
Naomi was allowing to be her close companion (all the way back here in Bethlehem).
Widowed, bereft of her children, needy; yet supported in this unusual way.
Breathtaking! Maybe, shocking!! Certainly a moving scene, nonetheless! Did the
crowd also recognise the potential prejudice, poverty, and lack of welcome,
that Ruth was walking into?!
Naomi explains
everything – the way she looks … well, life has not treated her well; and Ruth
“clinging to her” … well, such is Naomi’s situation, that she is going to need
help. And it is Ruth who has showed the loving-kindness that is currently
required! Perhaps despite Naomi’s cutting estimate of God, the townsfolk may
actually conclude that God has lovingly provided for Naomi nonetheless …
through the kind ministrations of Ruth. This is “stirring” stuff!
6.
The
Place of Grief
When Naomi spoke
about the way she had felt abandoned and afflicted by God, these words came
from a deep place of pain and grief. I don’t think we would doubt Naomi’s
faith, just come to further understand the power of loss. We sense that Naomi
with her husband had trustingly followed God’s leading previously into the
unknown foreign territory of Moab and settled there. We know that Naomi
believed in a God of “loving-kindness”, and that this graceful consideration
would even be available to Moabite women such as Naomi’s daughters-in-law
(v.9). Naomi had shown such great character in being willing to relieve Ruth
and Orpah of any responsibility to her, and give them their freedom to find
security (in Moab). Such selflessness comes from a deep connection to God.
Naomi, through
her loss, was in pain, but could yet be restored to full health and faith! And
it was Ruth who could provide the radical kindness and solidarity to be God’s
channel of care and blessing. It was actually in the safety of her relationship
with Ruth that Naomi was able to divulge and verbalise the way she was really
feeling. With Ruth’s friendship, and God’s nearness, Naomi would be able to
work through her grief at her own pace, toward a satisfactory outcome in time.
One could imagine
that Ruth would have avoided the use of trite clichés, like: everything happens
for a reason, or, all things work together for good, or, keep your chin up, or,
count your blessings; rather just being there and listening to Naomi’s pain,
anger, and feelings of emptiness. Naomi and Ruth would weep together. One could
also imagine Ruth gently speaking into Naomi’s life at appropriate times,
helping Naomi guard against any further bitterness building up. This was a
heavy commitment being made by Ruth (vs.16-17), especially given the depth of
Naomi’s grief. This could involve Ruth in supporting Naomi through a long
period of depression, and possibly significant care through Naomi’s elderly
years. Who knows!?!
What happens
for Naomi? We will see in chapter four.
7.
Conclusion
– The Source of Grace
God has been at
work raising up Ruth to be a supporter for Naomi. We, like Ruth, can be
supporters of others, whether they be suffering grief or struggling in any
other way. There are plenty of opportunities where kindness to others will make
a significant difference. We are able to love our neighbour because God has
first loved us. Sometimes we love our neighbour because they have already been
kind to us. Sometimes we will love our neighbour because no one else is being
kind to them. Sometimes we will be kind to another because they have been nasty
to us! We know that we prove our love for God, through our activities of
kindness. Kindness is often sacrificial. Kindness is expressed in solidarity.
Kindness crosses boundaries of race, religion and social status. Kindness
sometimes involves risk.
God must have
been preparing Ruth ahead of time, given Ruth’s radical and intuitive response
to the situation of Naomi. Ruth may not have had much background in the Hebrew
religion, but it is clearly evident that there was a vital goodness seeded
within her. It may have appeared that Ruth needed to find God in Judah, but it
seems God had already found Ruth in Moab. How is God preparing us for future
acts of kindness? Are we aware of such preparation happening? Are we more
liable to be like Ruth now, than we were previously?
We look at the
outstanding faithfulness of Ruth here, and are caused to praise God. And Ruth
actually points towards the loving-kindness of God. Ultimately it is God who
wants to comfort us, encourage us and restore us. Often God does this through
other people, but as God is personal – we can go straight to the source. When
we can no longer walk, we can be carried in the arms of Jesus. Jesus will cling to us, just as Ruth clung to Naomi.
I am carried
in the arms of grace and love Divine,
I am held by
hands of healing, washed by water pure;
Lifting up my
heavy heart, held in grace scarred hands,
I am carried
in the arms of grace and love Divine (Geoff Bullock).
Don’t miss an
opportunity of connecting with the ultimate source of loving-kindness!
The broken
mended, night has ended, lost and lonely, lost no more;
For I am
carried in the arms of grace and love Divine.
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