Ruth chooses to stay with Naomi

Ruth Chapter 1

The story of Ruth is a story of God's grace in the midst of difficult circumstances. Her story occurred during the time of judges when there was disobedience, idolatry and violence. But even in those time, there are those who follow God and through whom God works. God uses anyone who is open to him to achieve his purposes. The book of Ruth is a story of love, friendship and encouragement.

In the days when judges ruled Israel, a man from Bethlehem in Judah, left his country because of the famine and traveled with his wife and two sons and went to live in Moab. His name was Elimelech and his wife was Naomi. Their sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites. During their stay in Moab, Elimelech died and Naomi was left with her sons. The sons married Moabite women; one married Orpah and one married a woman named Ruth. But ten years later, both Mahlon and Kilion died, leaving Naomi alone with no husband or sons.

Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had blessed his people in Judah by giving them good crops again, so she and her daughters-in-law set out for Judah. But on the way, she told her daughters-in-law to go back to their mother's homes instead of going on the long journey with Naomi. She blessed them and kissed them and prayed they might find another successful marriage. But the daughters-in-law wanted to go to Judah.

Naomi told them they should stay. She said she could not give birth to other sons who would grow up to be their husbands because she was too old. She discouraged them from the journey and they wept. But Ruth insisted on staying with Naomi. Naomi told her, "See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and her gods. You should do the same." And Ruth replied, "Don't ask me to leave you and turn back. I will go wherever you go and live wherever you live. Your people will be my people and your God will be my God. I will die where you die and will be buried there. May the Lord punish me if I allow anything but death to separate us." So Naomi saw that Ruth had made up her mind and she stopped urging her to go home.

The two women continued on their journey and in Bethlehem the whole town was stirred by their arrival. The women in town said, "Is it really you, Naomi?" And she said, "Don't call me Naomi. Call me Mara, for the Lord has made life very bitter for me. I went away full but the Lord has caused me to suffer and he has sent such a tragedy." So Naomi returned from Moab with Ruth and they arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.

BIBLE NOTE SHOW: Moabites were not allowed to worship at the Tabernacle because they had not let the Israelites pass through their land during the Exodus.
There was nothing worse than being a widow in those times. Widows were taken advantage of or ignored; were poverty stricken. God's law provided that the nearest relative of the dead husband should care for the widow, but Naomi had no relatives in Moab. But even in her desperate situation, she had a selfless attitude; trying to encourage the daughters-in-law to stay in Moab.
Even though Ruth was a Moabite, she still worshipped the true God. The jews were not the only people that God loved. He accepts those who worship him and works through all kinds of people.Ruth was blessed because of her faithfulness. She later became the great-grandmother of King David and a direct ancestor of Jesus Christ.

How does this chapter relate to us today? Like Naomi, many people today face hardships. Yet, just as Naomi acted selflessly, we can do so too because of our faith in God. It is because we worship God, that we can help him to use us in ways we can hardly imagine. Only God knows what will become of us. Yet he welcomes our prayers and in return can bring us love, strength and resources that can help us in any relationship or circumstance.Can we all identify with the loving personality of Ruth? Yes! If only we could bottle her loyalty and love and sell it at the market. She gave up the chance to go back to her own people so that she could be at the side of her mother-in-law. She was bound to Naomi. What a wonderful relationship!

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents, Arlene’s nephew David, Lori (who suffered a terrible accident)and her family and my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. And Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke. Update on Stella: She is 10 weeks old and has her own room at the hospital. The doctors continue to experiment with respirators, but her parents can see progress in her lung activity. They need your prayers so badly. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, those who need jobs, those who are about to lose or have lost their homes. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.