When you have about twenty minutes, read or re-read the short story of Ruth. For centuries, readers have been amazed by the devotion that Ruth, the young Moabite widow showed to Naomi, her Hebrew mother-in-law. And rightly so.
But I want to draw attention to Naomi’s own devotion. Though it is less explicit in the text, it is shown to be powerful and moving. And God uses it to draw an outsider in, a foreigner who would ultimately be part of the family line of the Messiah who would save his people from their sins.
Naomi’s devotion is to her God – Israel’s God – Yahweh. And she expresses her devotion to him in her relationships with her daughters-in-law in such a way that they are deeply impressed. When Naomi sets out to return to her homeland, these young women have been so won over to Naomi that they set out with her. The famine that brought Naomi with her husband to Moab was over. And now, ten years later, bereft of her own husband and two sons she heads home. The young widows still have potential in their homeland; they can remarry and start anew. But in their relatively brief time with Naomi they have been so drawn to her as to think of following her instead.
Names in this story’s beginning are illuminating. Elimelech, the name of Naomi’s husband, means “My God Is King.” He likely came from a pious Hebrew family that was well-established “old money” in the Bethlehem community. Hence, the excitement and recognition of the “whole town” when Naomi returns there (1:19). Naomi’s own name means “Pleasant.” She was apparently very much so, given the loyalty of her daughters-in-law. But she was clearly devoted herself to God.
She asks for Yahweh’s (the LORD’s) blessings on the young women for the kindness they have shown to her (v.8), even while acknowledging that from her perspective he has withdrawn those blessings from her (v.13). Clearly, even though Naomi sees the hand of God as sovereign over her own misfortune she does not see this as grounds to abandon her faith in him. Instead, she accepts her situation and asks for Yahweh’s blessings on them. Naomi is the one who introduces talk of gods in the conversation (v.15). But Ruth’s response shows that Naomi’s God has won her over (v.16). Both young women react with a strong respect and loyalty to Naomi, but Ruth goes further in expressing loyalty to Naomi’s God, taking Him as her own.
We don’t know how Orpah’s story works out, but we can learn some powerful lessons from Naomi, and see how blessing flows to Ruth because of Naomi’s faithful devotion. Let me flush them out and call us to apply them in our own contexts.
First, notice that Naomi’s devotion to God survives her down times. She doesn’t pretend things are okay. Her self-ascribed name-change from Pleasant to Bitter (v.20) seems more an acknowledgement of her sadness and downcast expression than a commentary on her social conduct. She looks like she’s been through it, but judging by Ruth and Orpah, she hasn’t been a bitter old woman to them.
Do we handle our own calamities as well? Do we accept God’s hand in these circumstances, still convinced of his love and goodness, and seeking his blessing on others? Or do we blame Him, becoming bitter and biting to everyone around us? Our response tells those outside the community of faith, those who have their own gods, what we think about our God. Our steadfast devotion to Him, especially in the worst times, may win them over. We may feel the bitter sting of suffering, but we cannot hope to win them if we treat them bitterly. Somehow, Naomi lived up to her real name, Pleasant, and we must do the same.
Second, we learn that Naomi’s devotion to God draws another into that same devotion. God works through Naomi’s relationship with Ruth to move Ruth beyond devotion to Naomi, and to Naomi’s God. We can see this in Ruth’s poetic declaration (vv.16-17). Ruth swears her oath to the LORD as a witness to her devotion to Naomi. The greater devotion will outlive the other.
We too may be God’s instruments to move others toward him. As we express our devotion to Christ in showing his love to others, some will be drawn to him through us. Again, the toughest times are often our greatest opportunity to show a devotion that is contagious.
Last, we see that not everyone comes around. Orpah returns to her people and her gods. So too will many in our relationships. But in this case, it was not because Naomi was a jerk to Orpah. The young woman simply chose her culture’s best attempts at fulfillment and life – at least as far as we are told. Many will do the same in our culture. But let it not be because we burned our bridges. Let their respect of us for our conduct remain intact. Perhaps at some point they will reconsider our Savior.
In summary, let us follow Naomi’s lead. Hold our devotion to Christ in such a way that we may win others over to Him. For those who return to their own gods, at least we will be faithful in showing Christ to them in pleasant kindness. But for some we may be a means by which the Spirit draws them into eternal life!
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