Ruth 1:6-10RUTH 1:6 "Then she arose with her daughters-in-law, that she might return from the country of Moab; for she had heard in the country of Moab how the Lord had visited His people in giving them bread." The word "visited" is used here in the sense of God's bringing blessing, the end of the famine. The bread that is now available is regarded as the gift of God. It is a word which refers to divine activity. (In Jer. 25:12, by contrast, God's "visit" is in the sense of bringing punishment.) When God visits, everything depends on the state of affairs that He finds. The implication of this word is that we must not presume on God. He will bring blessing if He can do so without compromising His character. In Grace and in Love, God finds a way to bless. RUTH 1:7 "Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah." It does not take them long to get their things together. They are leaving with what they can carry. They walked along the road together a ways before they split up to go their separate ways. RUTH 1:8 "And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead, and with me." This is the first use of dialogue in the book. Dialogue is used in 52 of the 88 verses in Ruth. When they had gone a short distance "on the way" to Judah, Naomi encourages the younger women to leave her and to return to their own homes. It is not part of her plan to involve them in a change of culture; so she tells them to return each to her mother's home. Reasons why Naomi told them to stay in Moab: * Prejudice against non-Jews in Palestine. * Prejudice against Moabites in particular, Deut. 23:3 ff * There are no prospects for young widows of any nationality. They have better prospects for marriage and a living with their own families * Naomi is now poor and unable to care for them. Some commentators blame Naomi for encouraging them to stay in sinful, pagan Moab. But the context of Ruth, and particularly Naomi's own words, indicate that Naomi understands certain Grace principles of establishment and does not hesitate to express them. For example, Naomi prays that Jehovah will deal kindly with them. She does not say that Chemosh, the Moabite god, would look after them. She uses the personal name of the God of Israel. She never gives consideration to any other god. The phrase "deal kindly with" represents a Hebrew expression which is often translated "with loving kindness". It is a word which sometimes means something like "loyalty", and sometimes like "love". In the O.T. it is often related to the Covenants and God's loving relationship with His people Jehovah is a faithful and loving God and Naomi knows that He will deal lovingly with the daughters-in-law. RUTH 1:9 "The Lord grant you that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. They she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept." Naomi adds a prayer for their future prosperity, praying specifically that Ruth and Orpah will remarry. Marriage is the only career open to them. And what else did they have to look forward to other than to share Naomi's poverty? "Rest" implies a home, in this context. Finding a husband and a home will provide security. But to the Hebrew, the word "rest" means much more in terms of spiritual security and the blessing of the Lord. Topic: FAITH-REST (Trust leading to Peace) READ Joshua 21:43 to 22:6 They kiss each other farewell. Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah start the 40+ mile trek back to Canaan. The next verses show Ruth and Orpah (the two widows of Elimelech's sons) making some crucial decisions, decisions which send them on different courses of life. Orpah returns to Moab with its pagan religion and culture; Ruth goes on to a life of blessing and prosperity, and to a place of honor in the line of King David and the Lord Jesus Christ. RUTH 1:10 "And they said unto her, Surely we will return with you unto your people." At this point, both Ruth and Orpah agree - they both thought of going to Judah with Naomi. They were adults, and in that society they were free to choose. There is no obligation to return to Moab. As we will see, Orpah decided to return to the protection of her home and family, which in itself is not wrong. But she had as much information as Ruth did about God, His provision, and His people in Judea. Ruth's choice was not the "safe" one, but a stepping out in faith, with only enough doctrinal "light" for the first few steps of her path. |
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