He will provide a guardian-redeemer

The book of Ruth presents the story of a family that moved to search for bread during a famine and ended up losing it all. Naomi lost her two sons in Moab within a period of ten years. The grieving Naomi decided to return to her home because the Lord had visited them and there was no longer a famine. The decision to go back was a difficult one as Naomi’s daughters-in-law also wanted to join the journey back home. In the long run, Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her (‭‭Ruth‬ ‭1:14‬).

In Bethlehem, Ruth joined the women to pick leftover grain in the field of Boaz. 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 herself was content with her life in Bethlehem but Naomi knew that for Ruth to settle in well, she needed to help Ruth find a home. According to the law at that time, Naomi’s late husband’s property could be acquired by a family member and that person should also be ready to marry Ruth and raise children for the dead. Thus, whoever marries Ruth is helping to extend the lineage of Naomi’s family. Although this sounds strange today, it was no news to the people in Naomi’s days. The search for the redeemer began with Boaz who informed Ruth that another person is closer than him. Will this person redeem Ruth? Will Ruth find a home?

The women said to Naomi: “Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! ‭‭(Ruth‬ ‭4:14‬)

The one expected to redeem Ruth did not because he didn’t want to endanger his own estate (‭‭Ruth‬ ‭4:6‬). Ultimately, Boaz became the guardian-redeemer who provided a home for Ruth, the Moabite. Ruth’s sacrifice of leaving her own family and following Naomi to Bethlehem paid off. She was no more alone, because God provided a guardian-redeemer. After losing her husband and her home in Moab, Ruth found a husband and a home in Bethlehem. The women said to Naomi: “Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! ‭‭(Ruth‬ ‭4:14‬). Boaz and Ruth’s marriage brought forth Obed and Obed was the father of Jesse, and Jesse was the father of king David. The great ancestor of our Lord Jesus Christ. Whatever Ruth lost in Moab, was restored in Bethlehem through the provision of the guardian-redeemer.

Many of us have been through a similar circle as Ruth, life has been harsh and we have lost precious people, time and resources. Leaving our Moab (place of comfort) to Bethlehem (the place to start again) seems unpleasant. However, until Ruth arrived in Bethlehem, she remained the widowed daughter-in-law of Naomi. If God had positioned your guardian-redeemer in Bethlehem, it is in Bethlehem you will receive your breakthrough. May we be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit so that we do not miss the prompting of God. He will always provide a guardian-redeemer but we must be aligned to His will, His time and His place. Be encouraged!

Life-changing decisions

Have you ever encountered a moment in your life that you had to make a life-changing decision? What was it about? Change in lifestyle, marriage decisions, letting go, accepting Jesus Christ, choice of spouse, among many others are decisions that can ultimately influence one for a lifetime. As a result of the influence of these decisions, it is usually recommended that one spends time to pray, consult and wait to hear from God before making such important decisions. In the Old Testament, one woman made a life-changing decision at the spur of the moment. She was so confident about her choice that she left no room for her mother-in-law to convince her otherwise. Ruth’s story recorded in the book of Ruth is a testament of the choices we make and the consequences of it. Ruth left her family, her people, her gods, her friends and everything she was used to and embraced a new life.

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. ‭‭(Ruth‬ ‭1:16‬)

When Naomi, her mother-in-law tried to convince her to go back to her own people, this was Ruth’s emphatic reply: “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.” ‭‭(Ruth‬ ‭1:16‬). What life lessons can we learn from Ruth? Let’s consider the following:

Faithfulness: ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭20:6‬ states that “Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?” Faithfulness in relationships is a high-priced commodity and it is not easy to come by. For Ruth, she experienced the highs and lows of Naomi in Moab. She saw Naomi have it all and then lose it all. Infact, as at the time Naomi was leaving for Bethlehem Judea, she was very poor and there was no way to believe that her life would be transformed in Bethlehem. She was a childless old widow. No wonder Orpah listened to Naomi and turned back to her people. From Naomi’s own mouth, the hand of the Lord had turned against her and she had nothing to offer (see Ruth 1:11-13). However,  Ruth refused to return to her people. Her unfailing love for Naomi was not based on the things Naomi had. She clinged on to Naomi until Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, and she stopped urging her to return (‭‭Ruth‬ ‭1:18‬). If God should bring a scale to check how faithful we are to Him and the people around us, would He find a faithful person like Ruth? One who is not moved by what she sees and the circumstances. One who is moved by love!

Lifestyle change: When Ruth made the decision to follow Naomi,  she also committed to change her lifestyle to that of Naomi. The Moabites were pagans and Naomi was a Jew who believed in Elohim (God). When Ruth professed that “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God” ‭‭(Ruth‬ ‭1:16‬), she indirectly committed to lifestyle change. Ruth was ready to follow Naomi, to stay with Naomi, to accept Naomi’s people as her own, to accept Naomi’s God as her own. This lifestyle change encompassed physical appearance change, emotional adjustments, spiritual orientation, changes in food choices, learning a new language, cultural changes among many others. From my experience one of the challenges with cross-cultural evangelists and even cross-cultural marriages has to do with having a high view of the new culture. Many times, we are so committed to our old cultures that any attempt to assimilate is seen as a betrayal. It is possible to find churches in new places who practice the culture of their mother countries including using their languages and choice of songs. Cross-cultural marriages end up having different worldviews and opinions stemming from the individual cultures. When Ruth followed Naomi, she identified with the people of Bethlehem and was ready to follow the other women even to the fields to pick wheat. She didn’t say, “That’s not done in Moab.”

Diligent: Ruth demonstrated diligence in her decision to follow Naomi and also in the way she lived when she arrived in Bethlehem. She wasn’t a passive agent in how her story was transformed. Consistently,  she listened to Naomi and this efforts led to the accomplishments of a greater feat; marriage to Boaz. She was not worried about being treated as a foreigner on the farms. She was attentive, persistent and determined to make the best for herself and Naomi. She was not lazy but hardworking. Even the overseer on Boaz’s field saw her Zeal and mentioned to Boaz that “She came into the field and has remained here from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter.”‭‭ (Ruth‬ ‭2:7‬). All day, Ruth was looking for food for her and Naomi. Proverbs‬ ‭10:4‬ states that “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.” Ruth’s hard work led to her change in status and position.

Following instructions: One of the most difficult things for many young people is to follow instructions to the latter. The desire to have it our own way alway leads to alternative ways rather than the laid down procedures. Ruth wasn’t just faithful to Naomi, she was ready to follow Naomi’s instructions. When Naomi told her that It will be good for Ruth to go with the women who work for Boaz, because in someone else’s field Ruth might be harmed (‭‭Ruth‬ ‭2:22‬), Ruth listened and stayed close to the women of Boaz to glean until the barley and wheat harvests were finished (Ruth‬ ‭2:23‬). Similarly, when Naomi proposed that Ruth go and sleep under the feet of Boaz in the field at night in an attempt to find a home for Ruth, she obeyed and followed Naomi’s instructions to the latter. Ultimately, her obedience led to her finding a husband and a home. Certainly, Naomi’s approach to finding a home for Ruth might sound unconventional in the 21st century but the key lesson is Ruth’s cooperation and obedience to Naomi. ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭4:13‬ ‭admonishes this, “Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.”

Ruth’s story reminds us that life does not end when we lose what we have. Instead of accepting her fate and staying in Moab, Ruth rather accepted Naomi’s faith and relocated to Bethlehem. From a poor widow from Moab, Ruth’s story changed. She became the mother of Obed. Obed became the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David (Ruth 4:22). In Matthew’s account of the genealogy of Jesus, he wrote,
“Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse” (Matthew‬ ‭1:5‬).
Ruth and Rahab were not lost to history. They became part of history.

Let’s begin with the oldies: Women in the New Testament

The New Testament presents the life of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world. His birth, ministry, death, resurrection, ascension to heaven, the arrival of the Holy Spirit, the birth of the church, the ministry of the Holy Spirit through the church, Apostolic letters to the churches, the signs of the end times among many others. The New Testament is a fulfillment of the Old Testament and thus very important for believers to read both Testaments. In continuation of our study of women in the Bible, it is important to understand that the New Testament mentions women in the Old Testament that significantly impacted their societies and whose stories culminated in God’s bigger agenda.

Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife (Matthew 1:5‭-‬6).

The four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) would be studied concurrently. The gospels culminate the life and ministry of Jesus on earth. Let’s begin with the Old Testament women who formed part of Jesus’ Family line. The gospels of Matthew and Luke begin the life of Jesus with His genealogy. Matthew (chapter 1:1-17) traces Jesus to Abraham and Luke (chapter 3:23-38) traces Jesus to Adam. Matthew’s account of the genealogy of Jesus included three women from the Old Testament. Matthew 1:5-6 goes like this:
Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife (Bethsheba).

If you had followed this study, you would know that all these women had issues. First Rahab was a foreigner from Jericho, a land the Israelites conquered. Rahab’s trade before the Israelites took over Jericho was prostitution. Ruth was a foreigner from Moab. Ruth was the widow of Mahlon, the son of Naomi. Uriah’s wife, Bethsheba was an Israelite woman. King David slept with her while she was still married to Uriah. When she became pregnant, the king killed her husband Uriah and married her. God was appalled by their actions and even the child from that adulterous relationship died.

These three are women society would have stigmatized. They had past lives that were unpleasant. They had experienced pain, rejection and discrimination, yet, through their wombs came children who contributed to God’s bigger plan. We might not fully understand God’s way but we know that whoever comes to the Lord will not be rejected. For example, when Rahab joined the people of Israel, she abandoned her past profession and married an Israelite man named Salmon (see Matthew 1:5; Ruth 4:21 and 1 Chronicles 2:11). Salmon through Rahab fathered Boaz, and Boaz married Ruth and fathered Obed who became the father of Jesse. And, Jesse was the father of David, the king of Israel. David married Bethsheba and had king Solomon. Jesus Christ is the great grandson of David.

These women did not just rise to glory. They knew their past and worked through obedience and submission to overcome their past failures. God’s plan was fulfilled through their obedience and willingness to align with God’s purpose.
Dear woman, coming to Christ is just not enough. Be ready to be transformed and renewed. Your story is bigger than you see now. Be intentional about spending time with God and forsaking every past sinful life or living beyond past failures. If it didn’t work yesterday does not mean it will not work today.

Ruth: The wife of Boaz and the mother of Obed

Ruth experienced a roller-coaster experience in Moab. She moved from a young and happy married woman to a young and poor widow. If her hopes were in her husband alone, her hopes would have been shattered. The only comfort around her were other widows (mother-in-law and sister-in-law) who were also in grief. Life indeed gave Ruth lemons. Instead of sulking about how sour the lemons were, Ruth made for herself a lemonade. She did not settle at the widowhood stage. She knew that life in Moab wouldn’t be easy either. Ruth challenged herself and moved to Bethlehem with Naomi. She knew that being a stranger in a foreign land comes with its own challenges. But, she was determined to brace Bethlehem and allow the God of Naomi  to fix her broken pieces.  

Sometimes, the only way to step into your destined future is to have faith in God. Faith without deed according to James (2: 20) is dead. Ruth took a step of faith when she followed Naomi to Bethlehem. Her relocation was very instrumental. While she remained a widow in Moab, she was of no use to the guardian-redeemer. However, when she moved to Bethlehem, she met her destiny helpers. In the previous post, we saw that Boaz promised Ruth that he wouldn’t relax until the matter of her redemption is settled. True to his words, Boaz met the closest guardian-redeemer at the town gate. Witnessed by the elders of the town, Boaz laid before them the case of Naomi and Ruth’s redemption. Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the land from Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the dead man’s widow, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property.” At this, the guardian-redeemer said, “Then I cannot redeem it because I might endanger my own estate. You redeem it yourself. I cannot do it.” (Ruth 4:5‭-‬6).

So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When he made love to her, the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.  (Ruth 4:13)

Boaz, being the next guardian-redeemer, took charge. He announced to the elders and all the people, “Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelek, Kilion and Mahlon. I have also acquired Ruth the Moabite, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property, so that his name will not disappear from among his family or from his hometown. Today you are witnesses!” (Ruth 4:9‭-‬10). Thus Ruth and Naomi came under the authority and care of Boaz. “So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When he made love to her, the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.” (Ruth 4:13). 

Ruth gained a home, a husband and a son. She received double for all her troubles. Many sons were born during the same period but the son of Ruth was different. He was no ordinary baby. “The women living there said, “Naomi has a son!” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.” (Ruth 4:17). The son of Ruth was the grandfather of king David. Jesus Christ was a descendant of king David. 
“This, then, is the family line of Perez: Perez was the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, Boaz the father of Obed, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David.” (Ruth 4:18‭-‬22)

The blind beggar at the roadside of Jericho couldn’t see but his spirit could transcend to the ancestry of Jesus. “He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”(Luke 18:38). Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God. (Luke 18:41‭-‬43). 

Naomi saw bitterness but Ruth saw a future and a hope. What you see determines how far you can go. Look beyond your pain, loss, grief and illnesses and see the good future the Lord has for you. Take a step of faith and move into your newness. Don’t stay longer in the Moab of your life, move to Bethlehem, that is where pleasantness is found. May God restore unto us a double blessing for all that we have lost.  Ephphatha…we can see victory in Bethlehem!

Ruth: Obedience is a key to breakthrough

Most people have a deep quest to have their way in matters concerning their lives. It seems ridiculous to some people to have others tell them what to do. Our quest for “What we want” in comparison with “What God wants for us” is the main reason people prefer not to serve God. We are in a generation of ME, MYSELF and I. We crave for things that will satisfy us and give us a sense of fulfillment. We barely consider how our cravings fit into God’s bigger plan for our lives. Some people see God as a Headmaster with a very big heart for discipline. They barely see the holy, merciful, gracious, just, righteous and sovereign God. Obedience is a key to breakthrough. Even mundane societies thrive on the obedience of its citizens. In 1 Samuel 15:22b, we are told that “To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.” As much as we love ourselves, our desires in life must be subjected to the word of God. If what we want goes contrary to God’s word,  then obedience to God is better than our desires.

Ruth had left everything in Moab and relocated to Bethlehem. To find food for sustenance, Ruth went to pick leftover grains and found favour before Boaz. All this while   Ruth’s dedication to Naomi had not changed. Naomi knew that Ruth deserved a good home, and a husband to take care of her. Naomi had a plan to put the needs of Ruth above her own needs. Ruth 3:1-4 records the following: “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. Now Boaz, with whose women you have worked, is a relative of ours. Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do.”

“I will do whatever you say,” Ruth answered. (Ruth 3:5)

Naomi’s plan would have been quite overwhelming in today’s contemporary society. Ruth did not complain about the details. She listened carefully and her response to Naomi showed her willingness to commit to the plan. Ruth told Naomi, “I will do whatever you say” (Ruth 3:5). As a sign of her obedience, “she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do” (Ruth 3:6). Ruth showed her obedience with her actions. She did not wait for days, weeks or even a month to decide what to do. The next action of Ruth after the conversation with Naomi, took place in Boaz’ threshing floor. Ruth was committed, she had the opportunity and she took it in obedience.

Boaz was startled to find a woman lying at his feet. “Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family.” (Ruth 3:9). Boaz was amazed by Ruth’s gesture. In response, he said:
“The Lord bless you, my daughter. This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character. Although it is true that I am a guardian-redeemer of our family, there is another who is more closely related than I. Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to do his duty as your guardian-redeemer, good; let him redeem you. But if he is not willing, as surely as the Lord lives I will do it. Lie here until morning.” (Ruth 3:10‭-‬13).

Before Ruth returned to her mother-in-law in the morning, she knew that the matter would be settled by the end of day. She would either be the wife of the closely related guardian-redeemer or the wife of Boaz. Ruth’s obedience to Naomi was the key to her marriage. If she disobeyed, she would have missed the opportunity. 

God has set before us many open doors. Our obedience to Him is the key to unlocking those doors. The door of breakthrough does not open until we break through with prayers, obedience, perseverance, dedication, and endurance. Ruth’s obedience was the access point to her marriage. Your obedience might be the only way to get what you want. What is God saying to you? 

Ruth picked leftover grain but found favour

Have you ever received love, care and attention from a stranger? If you ever meet someone whose random act of kindness changes your life for good, you would definitely be overjoyed. Whenever we receive a blessing we least expected, we show our gratitude. However, there are others who duly deserve to be recognized for their actions. But, they remain unnoticed. Imagine if someone organizes a surprise party for such people, their joy would be endless. From the previous posts, Ruth, the Moabite woman, followed her mother-in-law to Bethlehem. As a foreigner residing in Bethlehem, Ruth was susceptible to all sorts of racial discrimination. Her people were in the bad books of the Israelites and although she has shown kindness to Naomi, she might have lived in caution for fear of being rejected by the Israelites. 

And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.” Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.” (Ruth 2:2)

Ruth knew that to survive in Bethlehem,  she needed to work. Ruth and Naomi arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest. Though Naomi didn’t own a barley field, Ruth knew that she could go into the fields and gather the leftovers. Leviticus 23:22 and Deuteronomy 24:19 commands the Israelites to leave the harvest that falls on the ground for the poor and the foreigner. Therefore, “Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.” Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.” (Ruth 2:2). By requesting to go out to look for food, Ruth demonstrates his willingness to serve and to provide for herself and Naomi. She could have chosen to do anything but as a virtuous woman, she chose to pick leftover grain. She identified that she and Naomi were poor and she, being a foreigner,  might not easily find something else to do. 

Ruth humbled herself in order to survive and to provide for Naomi. Picking leftover grains was not a desirable task. You need to accept your need for food to make you stoop low to the level of the poor and the foreigner. Ruth was not concerned with the stigmatization, she knew that their survival depended on that leftover. God being so good, Ruth found herself in the field of Boaz, a relative of Elimelek.  She was well received by Boaz who told her, “My daughter, listen to me. Don’t go and glean in another field and don’t go away from here. Stay here with the women who work for me. Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the women. I have told the men not to lay a hand on you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled.” (Ruth 2:8‭-‬9). Boaz’ act of kindness didn’t go unnoticed. Ruth bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favour in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?” (Ruth 2:10 NIV). Boaz made Ruth aware that she duly deserved to be recognized for what she had done. 

“Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” (Ruth 2:11‭-‬12).

Ruth’s selflessness was noticed by Boaz. She was given priority treatment on the fields and gathered about 13 kilograms of barley that day. Even Naomi was amazed when she saw how much Ruth gathered. When Naomi heard that Ruth worked in the field of Boaz, she said, “The Lord bless him! He has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead. That man is our close relative; he is one of our guardian-redeemers.” (Ruth 2:20). Ruth didn’t just go to any field but the field of a close relative, one who could redeem Naomi and her. Boaz was not an ordinary person. He was a man of standing. He commanded power and wealth.

As we continue the discourse on Ruth, know that God’s plans are bigger than ours. We learn from today’s story how an act of service led Ruth to the right field and the right person. God desires us to be serviceable. The way to the top is from the bottom. Even airplanes are powered from the ground. Acceleration is dependent on the power exerted from the ground. Going down prepares one for the exponential take off. You go down to serve, not to be served. Christians should be willing to serve as much as we can. Whether you serve your family, your employer or the church, know that everything should be done with God in mind. You might be at your lowest point today, but remaining there is an option. You can choose to stay back and do nothing or move to the fields and gather grains. Your destiny helpers might be out on the fields as well. As we step out to attend to our daily activities, may we meet that person whom God will use to change our stories. 

Ruth: “I will go with you”

Moving to a new place can be full of uncertainties. Even people who love traveling always take extra precautions when moving to another place for a long time. Whenever one decides to relocate to a new place, certain factors are likely to make the person choose the specific location. No one deliberately moves to stay at a place where their life would be threatened. Even army officers who fight in war zones don’t move with the intention to go and die. Only villains plan and orchestrate their own death with the intention to harm more people. Because of different motivations to relocate, we tend to choose where our lives’ purpose can be fulfilled or where we can thrive. We have seen that Naomi and her family relocated to Moab to escape famine. After living in Moab for a couple of years, Naomi decided to relocate again to her home country. 

Accompanied by her two daughters-in-law, Naomi was enroute to Bethlehem when she suddenly stopped to prevent her in-laws from making the journey. Orpah, understood and reasoned with Naomi. Orpah returned to her people. But, Ruth was not convinced. Her determination to relocate from Moab to Bethlehem with her mother-in-law was stronger than all the reasons she was given by Naomi. When Naomi saw that the well-defined reasons that made Orpah turn back home does not seem to convince Ruth, she said, “Look, your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.” (Ruth 1:15). 

But Ruth said, “Don’t force me to leave you; don’t make me go home. Where you go, I go; and where you live, I’ll live. Your people are my people, your God is my god; where you die, I’ll die, and that’s where I’ll be buried, so help me God—not even death itself is going to come between us!” (Ruth 1:16‭-‬17 MSG)

Naomi genuinely loved her daughters-in-law but she thought that going back to Bethlehem with them wouldn’t be worth it. Ruth was not convinced. She held on to Naomi. She wasn’t ready to change plans. Even if Bethlehem is not good for her, she would prefer that over staying back in Moab. Ruth told Naomi, “Don’t force me to leave you; don’t make me go home. Where you go, I go; and where you live, I’ll live. Your people are my people, your God is my god; where you die, I’ll die, and that’s where I’ll be buried, so help me God—not even death itself is going to come between us!” (Ruth 1:16‭-‬17 MSG). These powerful confessions came from a well-thought intention to go with Naomi. Ruth was aware that relocating could bring uncertainties but she was more convinced that she would be better off living with her widowed mother-in-law than enjoying the comfort of Moab.

Naomi might have been overwhelmed by such determination and commitment. There was nothing more to say to convince Ruth to turn back. In Ruth 1:19, scripture records that “when Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.” Determination and persistence are key for growth and development. Ruth was determined and she persisted until Naomi had no other excuse to leave her behind. Ruth also demonstrated courage. She was aware that the Israelites might not like her because she is Moabite. She was aware that both her and Naomi might be vulnerable since they had no man to defend them. Ruth was confident the God Naomi serves would be her God as will. That is, Ruth did not just leave her people, she left her faith in idols, and placed her faith in Naomi’s God. Ruth was certain that not even death would come between her and Naomi. 

In other words, although her husband is no more, she would still follow Naomi and if Naomi should even die, she would still prefer to be by her side. Ruth told Naomi that “where you die, I’ll die, and that’s where I’ll be buried, so help me God—not even death itself is going to come between us!” (Ruth 1:17 MSG). Ruth’s commitment was so great. Even the bond of marriage is broken by death (till death do us part), but Ruth’s love for Naomi was not to be broken by death. Ruth 1:16-17 presents to us a woman who is dedicated and committed to one quest, “She would relocate to Bethlehem with her mother-in-law no matter the cost.” It makes sense that God transformed her from an ordinary Moabite widow to an extraordinary woman of faith and the great grandmother of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 

Ruth teaches us that commitment to God is rewarded. Her story teaches persistence, patience, prudence, determination, consistency among many other traits that Christians should have. She counted the cost of relocating to Bethlehem and was ready to bear the price. Jesus tells us to count the cost before we make our plans.

“Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn’t first sit down and figure the cost so you’ll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you’re going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: ‘He started something he couldn’t finish.’” (Luke 14:28‭-‬30 MSG)

Those who start and quit are unfit for the service in the kingdom of God!
Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62).
Using contemporary English, the Message Bible renders Luke 9:62 as this, “Jesus said, “No procrastination. No backward looks. You can’t put God’s kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day.”

Ruth saw an opportunity. Orpah saw a dead end. Naomi saw a bitter past and a broken future. What you see determines your response. Ruth seized the day because she saw a future and a hope. Ephphatha: May your eyes be opened to see! 

Orpah said goodbye

Saying goodbye to loved ones can sometimes be a very difficult decision. If you ever used to speak on phone late into the night with someone you loved, sometimes both of you held on to the call and no one was ready to say goodbye until one falls asleep. The emotional strings of love can make you stay up all night saying nothing but refusing to end the call. If this sounds familiar to you, remember you were not alone. When we have affection for others, we tend to want to spend quality time with each other. One way we do that is to be intentional about making time for one another. From the previous posts, we have seen that Naomi was obviously loved by her daughters-in-law. Ruth and Orpah might have had a similar parental love for Naomi.

Being aware of how her daughters-in-law were attached to her, Naomi might have also shown them love and affection. Their lives had changed and things were not normal for both Naomi and her daughters-in-law. In their losses and grief, the three women might have been a source of support for one another. But, things were about to change. Ruth 1: 6-7 states that, “When Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, she and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there. With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah.” It was time to return to Bethlehem and Naomi and her daughters-in-law prepared to go together. The three women set off and headed towards the road to the land of Judah. It might have been a surreal moment for Naomi and an exciting adventure for Ruth and Orpah. 

Suddenly, Naomi turned to her daughters-in-law, she loved them but she thought going back to their parents house would be better. In Ruth 1:8-10, “Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home. May the Lord show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me. May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.” Then she kissed them goodbye and they wept aloud and said to her, “We will go back with you to your people.” Ruth and Orpah were unwilling to return. They would rather be with Naomi than to go to their own parents. When Naomi saw that her daughters-in-law were unwilling to return, she gave them the convincing reasons to show that they would be better off in Moab than Bethlehem:

“But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands? Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons— would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord’s hand has turned against me!” (Ruth 1:11‭-‬13)

At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her. (Ruth 1:14)

Naomi had valid reasons for asking her daughters-in-law to return. “At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her.” (Ruth 1:14). Orpah did not return because she loved Naomi less, she returned because she reasoned with Naomi. She saw the truth in what Naomi said. Bethlehem would be a foreign land to her. She understood the dynamics of the relationship between the Israelites and the Moabites. She considered all the possibilities of what could happen in Bethlehem. She might have thought that she might never remarry because Naomi has no other son. “What if the Israelites do not like her?”, she might have pondered. Considering all the background information and her current situation, Orpah made the decision to go back to her parents. She kissed her sweet mother-in-law and went back to her own family. 

Before you judge Orpah, know that she was not harsh in her decision. She wanted a good life and after the information Naomi gave, it seemed that Bethlehem wasn’t going to offer her that life. She had been through pain and the thought of another painful experience in Bethlehem might have overwhelmed her. Most importantly, in the Sovereignty of God, He knew what would happen in Bethlehem and which of the ladies would be fit for the task. Orpah turned to her own family, her own people and her own gods. The story of Orpah ended right there. She suddenly exited the scene and scripture does not record any other thing about her. The story continues with the one who stayed, not the one who left. 

The story of Orpah might be the story of many believers. We count the cost of following the Lord and to save our lives, we decide that the best for us, is to return to our old ways of lives or to be a lie low Christian. God is not interested in those who return, neither does He delight in those who hide their faith. It is either you are hot or you are cold. Lukewarm Christians are not Christians at all. Their end is this: 

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:15‭-‬16)

Don’t quit when it makes no sense to serve the Lord. When your life is in shambles, don’t say goodbye to your faith. Leaving might be a temporary solution, but staying is the permanent move. God is with you, don’t give up on yourself. When the tunnel of your life only shows darkness, go to Jesus. He is the light of the world. Before you say goodbye to your faith, look back, look forward and look up. God is everywhere and Yes, He sees you. When the going gets tough, it is the Spirit-filled that continue the journey.

Ruth and Orpah: From wives to widows

In a previous post, we considered the death of Mahlon and Kilion from the viewpoint of their mother (Naomi). This post shall consider it from the viewpoint of their widows. Ruth and Orpah married foreigners. While the women might have been idol worshippers before their marriage, their husbands were obviously God-fearing Israelites. Mahlon and Kilion might have shared their faith with their wives. Through their conversations, Ruth and Orpah would have learned about the power of Yahweh (God). Even though we are not given details of the circumstances surrounding their deaths, we know that this would have brought a deep grief on their wives. What happened? How did they die? Was it an accident? Did the brothers die on the same day or on different days? We might not have answers to these questions just by reading the book of Ruth.

both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband. (Ruth 1:5)

The Bible presents to us the fact that “both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband” (Ruth 1:5). Mahlon and Kilion left behind their wives. These women would have still been in their youthful years. Just like Naomi, the loss would have made Ruth and Orpah very vulnerable. Who would protect them? Ruth and Orpah had left their parents and become one flesh with their husbands. They expected to live together for a long time and raise families together. They would have made plans for the future. Maybe they would have discussed having children. In a short period, all the dreams, hopes and aspirations of Ruth and Orpah were shattered. They lost everything. 

It would have been a difficult moment.  Who would comfort another? Their mother-in-law had earlier lost her husband and now her two sons. Daughters-in-law have both lost their husbands. Three widows in one house. The pain, the grief, the discomfort would have been unbearable. Their mother-in-law might have shared some promises of God with them. Ruth and Orpah might have held on to each other for strength. Ruth 1:5, is just a sentence long in my translation (NIV) but the verse is full of deep grief. Ruth and Orpah might have been quite overwhelmed by the pain. Although the Bible does not mention this, it is possible that their own families came to mourn with them. The house of Naomi, was a house of mourning. 

The life of a young widow is full of uncertainties. Unfortunately, for Ruth and Orpah, Naomi had no other sons to remarry them. Naomi didn’t even have a husband and she was too old to consider that. The only alternative to Ruth and Orpah, while they remained in Moab, was either to remarry other men or to remain widows for the rest of their lives. The former might be the preferred choice in order to avoid unnecessary attention from men. No wonder, Naomi said this: “May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.” (Ruth 1:9a). While they remained with Naomi, they had to provide and protect themselves. However, should they remarry, they would have been provided for and protected by their husbands.

Looking beyond the story of Ruth and Orpah, we have widows in our societies who are also vulnerable. When we consider the emotional and the physical pain they might be going through, we should be moved to extend a helping hand to them. In most cases, we tend to give attention to widows (females precisely) and forget the widowers. Men are strong physically but emotionally, they could be very weak. If you know a man who has lost the wife and is yet to remarry, do well to show compassion to them. Grief has no gender! Pain is pain. No matter how strong one is, we all need someone to lean on when we are down. Our societies should be intentional about demonstrating love and compassion to people who have lost their spouses.

God knows the pain of widows and widowers. He extends to them His love and compassion. He is the Father to the fatherless, a defender of widows (Psalms 68:5). He is interested in providing for widows (Deuteronomy 14:29). Widows can depend on Him (Jeremiah 49:11). He Judges the oppressors of widows (Malachi 3:5). He watches over widows (Psalm 146:9). 

James, the brother of Jesus wrote this: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:27)

Ruth and Orpah might have been lonely, but God was not done with them. When Ruth took a step of faith to go to Bethlehem, God changed her story for good. Be kind to widows and widowers. 

Ruth and Orpah: The Moabite women

During the time judges ruled in Israel, the social terrain was filled with individualism. Israel had no king and each person did as they saw fit (Judges 21:15). Naomi and her family lived within the period of the judges. The previous posts have indicated the reason for the migration from Bethlehem to Moab. At that time, the nation of Moab wouldn’t have been the best destination for an Israelite. The Moabite society represented all that God hated. In fact, according to the laws of Moses, “[n]o Ammonite or Moabite or any of their descendants may enter the assembly of the Lord, not even in the tenth generation” (Deuteronomy 23:3). The sins of the Moabites included their refusal to help the Israelites when they were moving into Canaan and hiring Balaam to curse the Israelites (Deuteronomy 23:4-5). In Revelation 2:14, we get to know that the same Balaam taught Balak (king of Moab) to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. The command given to the Israelites while Moses was alive was this: “Do not seek a treaty of friendship with them as long as you live.” (Deuteronomy 23:6)

They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years (Ruth 1:4)

Considering this background information, a Moabite person was then no good to an Israelite. The reason for the stigmatization of the Moabites was meant to keep the Israelites safe from transgression. The Moabites were seen as people who could easily convince an Israelite to sin. Naomi and her family did not only interact with Moabites, they moved to live with them. This was against what the laws permitted. As if that wasn’t enough, Naomi’s sons married Moabites women. Ruth 1:4 states this: “They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years.” Kilion and Mahlon’s marriage to Orpah and Ruth (respectively) might have been considered an attempt to disobey the laws of Moses. While we might be quick to consider the consequences to the Israelites, we should also remember the Moabites women.

Ruth and Orpah might have been brought up with knowledge of the systems and standards in Moab. They would have taken part in the worship of idols at some point in their lives. They would have heard the story of Balak an Balaam and how Israel treated the Moabites women who entered the camp of the Israelites to entice them to sin (Numbers 25). They would have heard of the story of the Midianite woman (Numbers used Midianite and Moab) who during a sexual encounter with an Israelite man was pinned to the ground with a sword (Numbers 25: 7-8). Although Naomi and her family were foreigners in Moab, these stories should warn any woman from Moab about the potential insecurities of having a relationship with an Israelite man. 

However, Ruth and Orpah left their own parents, families and friends and moved to stay with Israelites. We are not presented with details of how long their marriages lasted and how they were treated. But from all indications, the Moabites women loved their mother-in-law. Ruth and Orpah present to us the cultural dynamics of interracial, inter-tribal and inter-religious marriages. Even till date, marriages built on diverse cultures, national backgrounds, religious beliefs and societal caste systems face some challenges. First, the couple are likely to face the barrier of putting away their differences. Then the challenge of how society perceives such unions. Even parents and family can become barriers to such marriages. In some cases, immigration laws may act as barriers as couples from different countries struggle with visa issues. Religious institutions may also ban the marriage of such people. 

Ultimately, a Christian’s marriage should glorify God and advance the kingdom of God. There are more important things to consider before you marry. Racial and tribal affiliations might not be the ‘big thing’. The question we should ask is, “will Christ be revealed in my marriage?” For Ruth and Orpah, their marriage to Israelites men was a bridge to God’s bigger story. We shall continue this conversation again.