On Sunday, we’ll find ourselves in the book of Ruth, a book in the Old Testament named for a foreign woman who became part of the nation of Israel and changed the course of history. But the story is actually told from the point of view of an Israelite woman named Naomi.

Naomi is married to Elimelech and together they have two sons: Mahlon and Chilion.
Their story begins during the time of the judges, a time between when the nation of Israel arrived in the Promised Land and when the monarchy was established. In general, it’s not a great time in the history of Israel. At some point there was a famine in Israel. So, Naomi, Elimelech, Mahlon and Chilion leave their home in Bethlehem and cross the Jordan River into the land of Moab in search of food.
But there, the unthinkable happens. Naomi’s husband, Elimelech, dies, leaving Naomi and her two sons. Still, Naomi manages to find both sons Moabite wives and they get married.
But then, Naomi’s sons die too, leaving Naomi and her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, as widows.
With nothing left, Naomi makes the decision to return to Bethlehem. Legally, her daughters-in-law are bound to her, even though their husbands have passed away. But in an act of grace, before she leaves Moab, Naomi invites her daughters-in-law to stay behind, to remain with their families. It would be a logical choice. And Orpah makes that choice, choosing to stay in Moab.
But Ruth though insists on going to Bethlehem with Naomi.
Naomi tries to push Ruth away. But instead of leaving, Ruth chooses a radical commitment to her mother-in-law. Ruth says to Naomi, “Do not press me to leave you, to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go.”
Ruth’s choice goes far beyond her legal obligation to her mother-in-law. Her choice demonstrates devotion, commitment, and faithfulness. But her choice does something else too, when she insists on going to Bethlehem with Naomi, they form a new family. A family based not on blood, but on choice.
In choosing to go to Bethlehem, Ruth dares to believe that even with the odds stacked against her, she is somehow better off with Naomi in a foreign land than by herself in her homeland. She dares to believe that she is better of with Naomi than by herself.
Maybe the lesson is simple, we aren’t supposed to go alone.
Grace and peace,
Kimmy
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