By Cheryl Mah
Read: Ruth Chapter 1 & Watch: “Ordinary People, Extraordinary Love” sermon
Possibly one of the most well-known women in the Bible, most of us are familiar with Ruth as the dutiful daughter-in-law of Naomi. Although it is one of the shortest books of the Bible at only four chapters long, the book of Ruth tells a heart-warming story of love, devotion, and redemption.
Ruth & Naomi’s story
The story takes place during the time of the judges, a 400-year period after Israel entered the promised land under Joshua and before there were any kings in Israel (Judges 21:25). This was a dark time that was full of suffering due to famine and war – specifically God’s punishment for the apostasy and immorality of the Israelites (Judges 2:14-16). The famine drove Naomi’s family to fled from Bethlehem into neighbouring Moab, a place where paganism was practiced.
[If you are unable to view the video above, please click here]
Naomi’s two sons married Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah. After the deaths of her husband and sons, Naomi wanted to return to Bethlehem. She persuaded her daughters-in-law to return to their homeland as she felt it was hopeless for them to stay with her. While Orpah kissed her goodbye Ruth refused to abandon her mother-in-law, instead choosing to cling to her.
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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.”
Ruth 1:16-17
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Why was Ruth’s moving vow of loyalty to Naomi so amazing? Despite its simplicity, her words embodied selfless love and faithfulness beyond destitute circumstances:
1.She’s forsaking marriage and children
In Israelite custom, when a man died his brother or close relative was to marry his widow and carry on his name (Deuteronomy 25:5-10). When Naomi claimed she had no sons to marry Ruth and Orpah (Ruth 1:11-13), she was referring to this custom.
By remaining committed to Naomi, Ruth was aware that it would mean living a life of widowhood and childlessness. As far as Naomi remembered, there was no man she could offer to marry Ruth and carry on the family name, hence Ruth’s unwavering commitment to Naomi’s family was considered futile.
(At the point of time, she had forgotten the existence of another relative named Boaz who would be able to perform the duty of a brother)
2.She’s forsaking her nation
As a citizen of Moab, following Naomi back to Bethlehem meant that Ruth had to adapt to the ways of an unknown land with new customs, a new language, as well as new people.
Additionally, Ruth vowed that she would die and be buried where Naomi died and was buried. What this means is that Ruth is giving up everything she knows and is familiar with to stay with Naomi; in fact, she has no intention of ever returning to her homeland!
3.She’s forsaking her religion
Naomi was broken and angry with God for tearing her family apart with tragedies. She thought that God had neglected her and her family, and she was so resentful towards God that she changed her name to “Mara” which means “bitter” (Ruth 1:19-21).
Ruth’s experience of God was through the eyes of Naomi. Undeterred by Naomi’s negativity, Ruth vowed that Naomi’s God – the one true God – would be her God too, putting her steadfast faith and trust in God, and effectually turning herself away from her nation’s practice of idol worship.
Ruth’s extraordinary love for Naomi was the first step to Naomi’s redemption in the end. Through Ruth, the once-bitter Naomi recognised God’s divine providence and experienced new joy through God’s blessing in an unexpected way.
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Reflection Questions:
1. What kind of mother-in-law do you think Naomi was to Ruth? How did she feel about having a Moabite daughter-in-law?
2. Why do you think Ruth decided to stay with Naomi?
3. Has there been a point in your life when you were deeply resentful towards God? What was the reason, and how have you overcome that?