Ruth Beat the Odds

When we remember that Bible stories are about real people with feelings, weaknesses, and challenges, it makes the stories more powerful. Ruth's life is a wonderful example (Ruth 1-4). 

Ruth chose to follow God despite these hindrances (Matthew 19:29):

1. Her homeland/ environment
She was raised in pagan Moab.(1)  

2. Her important relationships/influences
It is likely that Ruth's family and childhood friends worshiped pagan gods.

3. Her negative circumstances
She was childless after 10 years of marriage and widowed...many would have blamed God.

4. Her mother-in-law's strong persuasion to stay in Moab

Naomi's daughters-in-law wanted to accompany her to Judah, but she insisted they stay in Moab. When Ruth refused, Naomi said, “Your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.”(2) 

That’s when Ruth said, “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” 

Ruth showed remarkable faith despite these hindrances. Her story encourages us to do the same.(3)

🎔🎔🎔🎔🎔🎔🎔🎔🎔🎔🎔  

Footnotes: 

(1) Naomi's husband Elimelek moved his family from Judah to the pagan country of Moab during a famine. In addition, Elimelek's sons disobeyed God's laws against marrying pagans (Deuteronomy 7:1-3, 23:3), something which many Christians ignore as well (2 Corinthians 6:14; 1 Corinthians 7:39). While Ruth later became a believer in the true God, it is unlikely that she was a believer when Mahlon married her. Some Bible scholars believe Naomi's sons died because of their disobedience to God's laws, but Scripture gives no reason for their deaths. We know, however, that whatever the circumstances, God used them for good in the life of Ruth, Naomi, and others (Romans 8:28).

(2) There are several elements involved in this situation. Naomi was allowing these young women to be freed of their responsibilities to her. This was a kindness. She felt they had more chance of finding husbands in their own country.

Some scholars propose that Naomi may have been testing her daughters-in-law to see if they would choose the true God, but nothing in Scripture implies this. When Ruth commits to embrace God and accompany her to Judah, Naomi speaks no words of approval, encouragement, or gratitude. Scripture simply says, "she stopped urging her" to return (Ruth 1:18). Nor does Naomi's statement in verses 20-21 show any appreciation for Ruth's help or faith.

I find it troublesome that Naomi tried to convince her daughters-in-law that they’d be happier in their own country with their own “gods.” What Naomi did would be the same as a Christian encouraging someone to think they'd be happier if they remained Muslim or Hindu. Either Naomi let her bitterness get the best of her or her faith had been compromised by living in pagan Moab. Ironically (I love God's irony!) Ruth the Moabite would help Naomi restore her own faith.

(3) Scripture urges us to stand firm! There are powerful influences in our modern world encouraging us to incorporate worldly "gods" into our faith so we can better fit our "pagan" culture. Let's stand firm!!
See Ephesians 6:11-13, 1 Peter 5:8-9, 1 Corinthians 15:58, Philippians 1:27, 1 Corinthians 16:13. 

Bible Love Notes