In the midst of the chaos of the period of the judges and in the depths of the despair that Naomi experienced at the loss of her family there shines a ray of hope. Naomi resolved to return to Bethlehem, her home town. She held no hope out for what will happen there, for as a widow she is destitute and would have to beg. She urged her 2 daughters-in-law to stay in Moab where the prospects were better for them. Orpah stayed, but Ruth refused to leave her.
Naomi was filled with sorrow, doubt and despair. Ruth, though a Moabitess with a pagan upbringing was filled with hope: she had become a believer in Yahweh. She serves as a perfect example of unselfish love and devotion. Because Ruth felt love and compassion for Naomi in her helpless condition, she put aside her own needs, wants, desires, her whole life, and made a lifelong commitment to serve Yahweh and her mother-in-law.
It is not clear how Ruth came to believe in Yahweh for she was surrounded by idolaters. Perhaps Naomi had left Canaan unwillingly, in obedience to her husband. Perhaps she had told Ruth of Yahweh and even demonstrated His love and kindness. And yet her poor reaction to her miserable plight demonstrates that Naomi was a poor witness for her faith. She figured that her misfortune was a result of her sin and that of her family for they had left the Lord behind. Yet even a bad witness is better than none. Yet our words and our actions together must show our commitment to Jesus so that when people encounter us they can see what Jesus is like.
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