Thoughts on Ruth 1 Continued

Ruth Section two here.

This is an emotional scene. Naomi gets word that the Lord has come to the aid of His people back in Bethlehem. So she heads out to return with her daughters-in-law. They are on the way and all of a sudden Naomi decides to send the girls back to their parents. She realizes she has nothing to offer them and the road ahead will be hard. Naomi is really feeling sorry for herself. One of the daughters-in-law go back to her parents home. The other named Ruth clings to Naomi. Ruth declares she will not leave her and will follow her wherever she goes and follow her God.

Ruth decides to leave everything she knows to go with Naomi. Though Naomi is a basket case here and bitter(which we will see in the next few verses) Ruth goes with her. During their 10 years together Naomi must have made an impression on Ruth. She must have made much of her God. Even in not waiting on God and making some poor choices in Naomi's life there was still something there that drew Ruth to God. Has God ever used you in this way? I like this because it takes the pressure off of us. There is absolutely nothing we can do to thwart God's plans. He works all things out for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Now that gives me some great relief!

Finally The last verses of Chapter 1
The women in town are stirred that Naomi is back. She is accompanied by Ruth her Moabitess daughter-in-law. The ladies call Naomi's name and Naomi says, "call me Mara not Naomi." Mara means bitter. She goes on to say she went away  full and came back empty. If I was Ruth I might be offended. She was something that Naomi had. Plus Ruth did leave everything to accompany her mother-in-law.

The story still seems sad. But things are changing and as we keep going we will see how God brings restoration in unlikely places.