Elimelech, in search of greener pasture and to escape the punishment for Isreal sin (famine) left Bethlehem for Moab with his wife and two sons. (Moab was the descendant of Lot the nephew of Abraham. Moabites were idol worshippers and during the wilderness journey of Israel, seduced them and made them to worship their idols. So God was angry with them (Numb. 25)
In Moab Elimelech died. His two sons married Orphah and Ruth. In the 10 years of marriage, Ruth had no children. This for any woman was torture. Every month was the same, hope and then despair. Maybe, initially it was not so bad but as days turn into months and months into years, she must have heard comments that brought her shame and humiliation. Ruth must have been full of sorrow. And to worsen her situation, her husband died - double tragedy.
It is safe to assume that in those periods of trials, Naomi provided a comforting shoulders for Ruth. She must have been so kind and understanding that Ruth was determined to cling to her.
When Naomi suggested she went back to her people, Ruth knew she couldn't face the rejection, shame, disgrace of barrenness. She would also lose the only comfort, her rock over the years - Naomi.
Even when they got back to Bethlehem, Naomi was degraded. They had no money, no food, no descent place to live. Ruth became a servant.
Naomi and Ruth were united in their sufferings. They were no longer in-laws. Naomi, in a way, adopted Ruth as her daughter. Ruth accepted Naomi as her mother and Naomi was determined to give her the best.
A seed has to die to grow. Ruth died completely of Moab to become an Israelite, to produce good fruit. She endured lots of suffering, sorrow, bitter tears, prayers but in humility, faith and hope. She never gave up even when she had to propose to Boaz. She followed the good advice of her mother, Naomi.
How many of us are willing to stoop to conquer? How many are willing to listen to elderly advice? How many are willing to put pride aside for humility?
Ruth was another Job with a happy and blessed ending.
WORD: "......“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. [17] 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.NIV)
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