Ruth 1:8-14
Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home. May the Lord show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me. May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.”
Then she kissed them goodbye and they wept aloud and said to her, “We will go back with you to your people.”
But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands? Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons— would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord’s hand has turned against me!”
At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her.
Naomi reminds the women that they still have a home and family in Moab. She reminds them of the Lord’s blessings in their very own community. She gives them hope to remarry. Both women are aware of all these things, yet both women initially desire to continue on with Naomi.
Naomi tries to further convince them, telling them that the Lord has turned against her and cautions them not to accept the same fate. Orpah takes this opportunity to turn back, however Ruth clings to Naomi. Ruth is in it for the long haul, no matter what!
Ruth cannot bear to leave her mother-in-law in such a vulnerable state. She loves her and is committed to being with her. Ruth is willing to take the chance and risk her own happiness for the sake of her mother-in law.
What obstacles have you had to endure in the course of your life? What have you clung to? What risks have you taken?
