Ruth fell at her husband's grave crying her heart out. Orpah
knelt beside her. "Why!? Why would the gods do this to us?! Have we not pleased them?!" Orpah cried through her tears. Ruth's mind was spinning with answerless questions. "Where will I go, what will I do!? " She pulled her shawl closer. Orpah started to stand, " Naomi is probably wondering where we are." she stated at she wiped her still falling tears. Ruth put a flower on her husband's grave and stood up, her head ached. She rubbed her forehead and followed Orpah home.
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"I am leaving" Naomi stated shortly after the girls arrived. Orpah cried and threw her arms around Naomi. "No! Please don't leave me! You are the only thing I have left of my husband's family! Please don't go!" Orpah cried harder. Ruth stood by the table stunned. She looked at her hands, she could barely see them because of the tears. Naomi hugged Orpah and pulled away. "I can't stay here, I want to go home. To my people." She turned to Ruth,"You understand, don't you?" Ruth nodded. Orpah's head shot up. "We'll go with you! Won't we, Ruth!" She glanced at Ruth then back at Naomi. Naomi shook her head. "No, there's no reason for you to come with me. I'm too old to have another son and by the time he would be old enough to marry, why, you would be old ladies. No, stay here with your family." Orpah began crying again. Ruth didn't know what to do. She always thought that she would live with Naomi, she loved her dearly. Naomi told the girls again that they should stay. Orpah hugged Naomi and kissed her goodbye. "I'll never forget you, Naomi." She looked around the little house and took a ragged breath, turning she hugged Naomi one last time, and ran out the door.
Ruth watched Orpah leave, turning to Naomi, "I'm not leaving you, I'm going with you!" Naomi sighed and took her hand," Ruth, go to your family, your friends, your gods. You'll be much happier." Ruth lifted her chin stubbornly, "No, I will not! I will be miserable if you leave me here! Your people are my people, your God, my God! I will not leave! I love you." Naomi smiled, "I always knew you were a stubborn one. Come, let's get ready to go."
This had to be hard for Ruth, her husband dies and her Mother-in-law wants to move. Did she leave? Nope! As we see in Ruth 1:16-17 she follows her mother-in-law.
16. And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and whither thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God, my God. 17. Where thou diest, I will die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
Ruth's qualities.
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1. Loyal
2. Loving
3. Submissive
4.Willing.
5. Patient.
6. Hard-working
Ruth was willing to change her way of living to be with her mother, she was willing to move to a place where she knew no one. She was willing to believe in the one true God, she was willing to be with Naomi forever that the only thing that will separate them would be death!
Naomi mentions in verse 9 that they could get married again. So, Ruth not only left her home but also left willing to not marry again!
What a beautiful relationship Ruth had with her mother! Even when her mother tried to get her to stay with her people, Ruth stayed with her. Think about it! Her mother tried to discourage her!
And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister. Verse 15.
Naomi tried to discourage them twice before Orpah left, but Ruth was loyal. She loved her mother, she wanted to stay with her!
Verses 19-21 ................. And it came to pass when they were come to Beth-lehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi? And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full and the Lord hath brought me home again empty: why then call me ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?
Naomi was having a pity party. She went so far that she wanted to change her name to Mara and to say she came back empty! Naomi was so into the grief of her sons that she didn't realize that God gave her a wonderful Daughter-in-law that loved her so much that she stayed with her!
Now in chapter 2, I'm believing that Naomi or Mara is still in her pity party because she must not have noticed that there wasn't any food in the house. (Or she ate it all.) Ruth was patient through Naomi's pity party, though the Bible doesn't say what Ruth thought. Ruth right away when they arrive at home she goes and gets food. Chapter 2:2-3
And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter. And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.
Ruth worked hard in Chapter 2 trying to provide food for Naomi. Little did Naomi know that God had plans for Ruth. See, even if our mothers have bad days, we still need to be loving and submissive! Working hard to please and help them in every way we can! I can honestly say that my mother is better then Naomi!
I challenge you to read the book of Ruth and as you read it think about the mother/daughter relationship in this! The book of Ruth has so many lessons! Tell me what you learn in Ruth when you read it! :)
Gracie
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