Week of October 2nd

Just a note that this week's homework (Lesson 3) is a bit longer than the first two lessons - three pages of questions.  May you be blessed as we continue to learn from Ruth and Naomi!!

 Lesson 2 Ruth 1:15-22

This past week's lesson involved only seven verses.  BUT OH, the depth of those precious words from our holy book!
We studied Ruth 1:15-22.  This short passage of scripture contains so much for us to examine.
First of all, we see Orpah leaving - "going back to her gods and her people".  Immediately in verse 15 we see that Orpah is making her choice partially based on her religious beliefs.  She is going back to HER GODS.
Ruth, in contrast, does not choose this path.  She chooses the road that will lead her to complete reliance, trust and faith in the one true God, the God of Israel.  And she does this without anger.  In contrast, she does this with her chin up, her eyes fixed upon the God of Heaven.
All three women are facing dire circumstances.  They have nothing; they are destitute and poor.  Historically, at that time, women could rely only on men's protection and property for their well-being.  Naomi has no male family members remaining, therefore she is essentially cut off from society.  Yet, Ruth clings to her. 

Some extra insight from

Henri Rossier...

Naomi's daughters-in-law accompany her, moved by the thought of returning with her to her people (Ru 1:10). But this good intention is not enough, for nothing less than faith will do in order to enter into relationship with grace. The behavior of Orpah and of Ruth illustrates this principle. In appearance there is no difference at all between them. Both leave with Naomi and walk with her, thus demonstrating their attachment to her. Orpah's affection is real: she weeps at the mere thought of leaving her mother-in-law; and full of sympathy, sheds still more tears when she finally leaves her. Orpah, the Moabite, also loves Naomi's people: “They said to her, We will certainly return with thee to thy people.” But it is possible to have a very amiable character without having faith. Faith makes a gulf between these two women who are so similar in so many ways. Confronted with impossibilities, the natural heart draws back, whereas faith is nourished on impossibilities and so increases in strength. Orpah gives up a path which has no outcome. What could Naomi offer her? She was ruined, stricken by God, and filled with bitterness; did she yet have sons in her womb to give as husbands to her daughters-in-law? Orpah kisses her mother-in-law and returns to her people and to her gods (Ru 1:15).

Here at last the secret of the natural heart is unveiled. The natural heart may attach itself to God's people without actually belonging to this people. A woman like Naomi surely is worthy of awakening sympathy, but that is not the sign of faith in operation. In the first place faith separates us from idols, causes us to give up our gods, and turns us to the true God. This was the Thessalonians' first step in the path of faith, too (1Th 1:9-note). Orpah on the contrary turns away from Naomi and the God of Israel in order to return to her people and her gods. Confronted by this difficulty, she shows that she is unable to endure the test. She indeed weeps as she leaves, but she does leave, just like that charming young man who went away sad, unable to decide to separate himself from his possessions in order to follow a poor and despised Master.

Ruth's case is quite different. What precious faith she displays: full of certainty, resolution, and decision! No objection can change her mind. How clearly faith sees its goal! She listens to Naomi's words but her decision has been made, for she knows only one path, which for her is the necessary path. What are nature's impossibilities before faith's necessities? Ruth neither allows herself to be deterred by the prospect of not finding another husband, nor even by the Lord's hand stretched out against her mother-in-law; in the obstacles that mount up she sees only so many new reasons for clinging to her decision. Naomi is everything to Ruth, and Ruth cleaves to Naomi.

For me, the most stunning, inspiring, BEAUTIFUL words in this passage are found in verses 16-17!

"Entreat me not to leave you or return from following you; for where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge; your people shall be my people and your God my God; where you die I will die and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if even death parts me from you."

The more I re-read these words the more amazing they become. Ruth's commitment to Naomi is simply mind-boggling, it really doesn't make sense for her to feel this way - this is how we KNOW it is God! She is deserting her homeland, leaving for a country she does not know, with no husband, and she is professing a radical loyalty to her destitute mother-in-law!   "Where you die I will die and there be buried" (v. 17). In other words, she will never return home, not even if Naomi dies.

BEST of all is this: "Your God will be my God" (v. 16). Naomi has just said in verse 13, "The hand of the Lord has gone forth against me." Naomi is bitter, angry, alone. Yet Ruth puts all her trust in Naomi's God, she sees beyond the anger that Naomi expresses, Ruth sees a hope, she sees a future, she trusts in the one true God.  Her faith here is all-inspiring, truly awesome, a real testament to her character.  Something for all of us to strive for - to have absolute faith and a positive hope in the worst of times.

Some optional questions for further consideration:
Do you think Ruth's commitment and loyalty is commonly seen in people today?
Why or why not?
Do you feel that our culture encourages a faith in God in the toughest of times, or does it rather encourage us to look to blame others, express our anger, and embrace bitterness?
How do you respond to God when there has been great suffering in your life?
What will you do today to prepare yourself to follow Ruth's example in any future difficult circumstances?