An old window Naomi a has lost both sons, Marlon and Kilion who both married Moabite women Ruth and Oprah. This old woman Naomi, was left with nothing but two Daughters in law. She sought to return back to her land, Judah, because the Lord has finally remembered and blessed the land.
She turned back and urged her daughters-in law saying to them that they should return back to their people, their tradition and gods, for she too would return to her land empty-handed. They both blatantly refused, soon Oprah went back but Ruth remained steadfast and clung to her Mother in law and said these words;
“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 Ch: 1 vs 16.
Sadly, Naomi felt the Lord has deserted her and made her life too bitter that she changed her name from Naomi to Mara because the Almighty made her life bitter.–Ruth ch: 1 vs 20
Sometimes in life, we are at crossroads on what we should do in certain situations and it makes us lose faith and sight of the things that matter. A determined heart would always strive to look for a good side. This is illustrated here; because Ruth who was also a widow left all her properties and her family land to follow the one true God. Just as how the Book of Isaiah has told us…
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”– Isaiah Ch: 14 vs 18–19
When they both returned to Judah Ruth remained steadfast and hardworking and she found favour in the eyes of a man named Boaz and that was where the miracle started.
What Does it Show Us
Naomi only wanted what was best for her daughter in law Ruth that she even promised to find her a home. This singular act shows us about repaying kindness, how kindness can come back to those that give it out. It also expressed the belief of Karma that whatever goes around comes back around.
There is ancient writing from different cultures that focuses on giving. Even the scriptures also tell us so…
“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”–Luke Ch: 6 vs 38
One emphasis made from ancient cultures says that if you cast your bread on water, it would return to you many days later.
Boaz went on to marry Ruth and they bore a son who became a heir to Naomi. All the people praised the name of the lord on her behalf and they all said..
“He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.”–Ruth Ch:4 vs 15
Our Role To Play
What do we need to do when we find ourselves in the most horrid situations that makes us want to give up? But we must learn from this story of Ruth and Naomi to always put God first and work very hard. Here are some ways to keep yourself going no matter how the going gets tough:
- We need to hold on to God and believe that he know what is better for us.
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will free from you. Come near to God and he would come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinner, and purify your hearts, you double minded”– James Ch: 4 vs 7—8
- You must look forward to better days and believe that one day God would Renew and sustain you at the appointed time.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”–Jeremiah Ch: 29 vs 11