Talking to Ruth: Finding Covenant Faithfulness in a Foreigner (Ruth 1)

          As much as the dialogue of Ruth One expresses the bitter circumstances of two widows, Ruth’s words represent commitment to Naomi in the face of uncertainty and continuing poverty.  Listen to her faithfulness:

·       *Do not urge me to leave you or return from following you.

·       *Where you go, I will go.

·       *Where you lodge, I will lodge

·       *Your people will be my people

·       *Your God will be my God

·       *Where you die, I will die and there will I be buried.

·       *Ruth even adds an oath to the end of her commitments:  “May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.”

Naomi sees herself as a victim under the stern sovereignty of God.  Ruth’s words are commitments and choices she is making underneath the providence of God.  She is not a victim.  What could we say to encourage Ruth?

1.        1.  Thank you for your “hesed”- your loyal love and faithfulness for Naomi.  Bitterness can isolate and you would not let her push you away.

2.       2.  Thank you for looking hardship in the face and accepting it.  The plight of two widows in the ancient world is severe and you accepted your own situation and then took on the care of Naomi as well.

3.       3.  Thank you for your wholesale commitment to Israel and to Israel’s God.  Yours is the freedom and joy of Peter:  “Lord, we have left everything to follow you.”

4.       4.  Welcome home.

Talking to Naomi: How to Deal with Bitterness (Ruth1)

         So much of the vitality and intimacy we feel as we read the Book of Ruth is communicated through the dialogue.  When Naomi tries to convince her daughters-in-law to return to their families, you hear her agony- “It is exceedingly bitter to me for your sake that the hand of the Lord has gone out against me.”  The words of Naomi show that she has been backed into a spiritual corner.  The circumstances of her life, difficult as they are, have made her bitter.  Listen to her words:

·           “Call me Mara” (her name means “pleasant” but she prefers “bitter” because of her resent experience.

·             “The Lord has dealt very bitterly with me”

·               “I went away full and the Lord has brought me back empty.”  All of her phrases show her being acted upon from the outside- the object and victim of God’s providence.  Only here do we have Naomi as the subject of her sentence- she describes her husband and children as fullness before the calamity.

·           “The Lord has testified against me.”  To her it seems a friend has betrayed her in court.

·           “The Almighty has brought calamity on me.”

Notice that the text never blames Naomi or makes her circumstances the consequences of sin.  She is left without explanation for her distress.  What could we say to encourage her?

1.        1.  Thank you for your faithfulness.  In your bitterness, you have never denied your Lord.  Chemosh has never been an option.

2.       2.  You have been a witness.  Ruth is watching, learning, trusting.  It is amazing after all you have been through that Ruth says “Your God will be my God.”

3.       3.  Your return will be your salvation.  In returning and rest will you be saved, in quietness and confidence will be your strength.  (See Isaiah 30:15)