So over the last year God has really been speaking to my heart about womanhood and femininity. I can feel him trying to give me so many opportunities to learn about what true femininity really is. Thus, the books I've been reading lately have reflected this (Captivating, Redeeming Love, etc.) The last time I read through the book of Ruth was about a year a go, so I figured I would read it again and blog it, because I'm basically desperate for what God is trying to teach me through this story right now. =)
Ruth 1
Synopsis: Ruth chapter 1 begins by giving the background of the family. It begins with Elimalech an his wife Naomi, along with their two sons Mahlon and Kilion, as they leave Bethlehem to travel to Moab. It was during the time of the Judges and a time of famine. Elimalech soon passes away in Moab. Mahlon and Kilion take Moabite wives, Orpah (yes, you can giggle) and Ruth. Sadly, Mahlon and Kilion also die leaving the women, Naomi, Orpah and Ruth widowed. Naomi is broken, but by tradition tells her daughters in law to return to their home, for they had returned to Bethlehem, and to their gods. After some reassuring, Orpah leaves, but Ruth refuses, saying "Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God." (Ruth 1:16). At this point in the story Naomi comes to term with her pain. She has lost all she had, except for her daughter in law, Ruth, and thus she notes that she should not be called Naomi, but Mara (Ruth 1:20).
Going Deeper: First off, I love, love, love, (love) finally having a study Bible. Its helps me understand and dig into the scripture so much more, and its so enriching! There were a few parts of this passage that I would like to elaborate further on. To begin, the setting of the story. It begins by telling the reader that this was during the time of the Judges. In Biblical history, the time of the Judges was among the bloodiest Israel had faced. So it was not just a walk in the biblical park. It was rough, and adding upon that, the story takes place mid-famine.
I love how Hebrew names have identifiable meanings. For example; Elimalech means literally "My God is King" and Naomi means "pleasant". Naomi later wishes to be called Mara, which translates to "bitter". This reflects Naomi's desolation from her extreme loss, feeling as if God Almighty is against her.
Heartstrings: There were a couple things that spoke to my heart from this passage. Rather, two. The first is Ruth's integrity. By The Law, Ruth was no longer required to stay with her mother in law, because her husband had died and her mother in law was much to old to have another child to be her husband. Imagine being in Ruth's shoes. She is a foreigner, even to the point of having a different religious background as her husband, and now she has lost the man she loved and is left without security. Her ticket to security is to return home to Moab to her family and familiarity. But she refuses, knowing that Naomi, though she won't admit it, truly needs her. Moreover, Ruth has also fallen in love. Not romantically, but she has fallen in love with the God of the Israelites, Yahweh, the Truth. She proclaims that she believes and that she has chosen to follow Him.
The next thing that spoke to my heart was Naomi's brokenness. She has literally lost all she had. All that remains is her daughter in law, which has no lawful responsibility to stay with her. Naomi literally feels like God is against her.
Raise your hand if you've felt this way. My hand would be one of the first to go up. This summer there have been times where I've been crying out, yelling at my steering wheel driving home at night with tears pouring, begging God to show me why He had let things happen to me. Specifically, in the name of vulnerability, I couldn't understand why God would let me fall in love with someone who was so incredibly wrong for me. It didn't end there, though. Why did he let me open up my heart and trust when I've always struggled with that very action, just to be hurt, badly? Why would he let me get engaged to and plan a wedding with someone who was not meant to be my future husband? Why, God, Why? Why did I have to hurt? Why me? Sometimes "Why?" was the only word I could utter from my mouth and from my heart. I won't lie to you, my question has not been answered yet. I trust it will be, but its going to be a very long process. But I have peace. Thank God, I have peace. I wish there was a way I could bottle this peace up and give it to every single person in my life whose "Why?" is still unanswered. I can see the pain, the longing to heal and believe that God has their best interests, but the fear that God is against them. All I can to is beg you to hold on, and please, please, trust in this one promise; God is NOT against you. There is purpose in this pain. He will answer you!
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