Naomi: Putting the needs of others first

Navigating life without a helper is very challenging. No matter how rich or poor one is, a helping hand is always needful. We all need someone we can lean on. We have to understand that the blessings of God to humanity, does not fall from the skies (at least the Israelites had manna fall from heaven). For God to bless you, He always relies on human vessels. It doesn’t matter whether the person believes in God or not. When God speaks, even Satan respects His voice. As we continue navigating scripture through the life of Naomi, we are reminded that affliction will not rise up a second time. If we constantly experience pain and sorrow over and over, go back to God and ask Him to restore you. It is not normal. Naomi and her daughters-in-law lost their loved ones, Naomi returned to Bethlehem with Ruth and they started life all over. 

One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided for. (Ruth 3:1)

Naomi lived in a masculine society and two widows staying alone in one house was not safe enough. Ruth found something to do to bring food home. But, Naomi knew that she needed to help Ruth to settle down. Ruth was the perfect helper to Naomi but out of love, Naomi was willing to let Ruth go to where she can become better. Naomi’s focus was not on how she would survive after Ruth finds a better home, she cared for the future of Ruth. The two women had been providing comfort and care for one another but Naomi knew that Ruth had a bigger need. So, “one day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided for.” (Ruth 3:1).

Ruth was already living with Naomi so one might say that ‘Ruth already had a home’. However, Naomi was interested in a marital home for Ruth. She wanted Ruth to get a husband and be catered for by her husband. Naomi placed the needs of Ruth above her own personal needs and initiated a conversation that ultimately led to finding a new home for Ruth. Naomi designed the masterplan to get the attention of the proposed husband (Ruth 3:1-4). Naomi knew that a home for Ruth should come from Elimelek’s family. Naomi was aware of the traditions of the land. She knew that it would be better for Ruth to be married back into the family than to look elsewhere. 

Operation “A home for Ruth” was launched by the intelligence of Naomi. In a few days time, the operation had gained momentum and two important men met at the town gate with witnesses from the town to have a life changing transaction (Ruth 4:1-4). Naomi did not allow Ruth to settle for less. She had a bigger plan for Ruth. Remember, Ruth left everything behind in Moab and followed Naomi to Bethlehem. Ruth knew that, it was possible not to see her mother and father again. Therefore Naomi’s quest to find Ruth a better home was appropriate. 

Putting others’ needs before yours can be quite uncomfortable for many people. For most of us, our desire is for “ME, MYSELF and I” to thrive and succeed. When we look at ourselves alone, we tend to ignore those around us. I am in no way admonishing that you don’t take care of your needs. The argument is, we need to go beyond our needs and look at what we can do to make life better for others. People have different types of needs. For others, their needs are material things like food, clothes, shelter. Some people have spiritual needs and others have emotional needs. Whatever you can provide to help others, do it willingly. Show concern, provide material needs if you can, pray for people (very important), comfort those who mourn, lift those who are down and be a shoulder to lean on. 

Whatever we do in good faith for others, is recognized in heaven as a memorial for us. 

Jesus admonished us with the parable in Matthew 25: 34-30:
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’  “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’  “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” 

In Luke 6:38, Jesus mentions one reward of giving:
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”