Naomi (Mara) and Ruth: Lessons in Loyalty

The Book of Ruth represents transitions that all humans will face in life but also the transitory period in Old Testament Literature. For centuries there has been the debate whether the Bible is History or religious story/myth. Certainly, there is evidence that the Bible in general is accurate and coincides with secular non-religious history but there has been debate amongst some scholars if all of the Bible is historically accurate.

The Children of Israel and the Moabites were enemies. Yet the book showcases an historic enemy of Israel as the loyal daughter in law to Naomi. This lets us know that while there are particular realities in how people historically get along there are always exceptions.

The Book of Ruth is unique because helps it us understand the ancient Isreal history not only through the lives of the books characters but through historical events. The events of the Book of Ruth occur during the era of the Book of Judges. During the period of the Judges there was no longer a single leader like Moses or Joshua (who were military, political and spiritual leaders) instead there were a series of leaders (Judges) who led the people. Each Judge led a specific Tribe of Israel. It was during this era that the Children of Israel experienced moral and spiritual decline.

The story of Ruth is preached during Women’s Day or Women’s History Month, used as a lesson on how in-laws should treat each other and lifted up by Fraternal Orders. The main characters of the book are Naiomi her daughters in law: Ruth and Orpah. While Boaz is a main character the uniqueness of the book comes in the ethnicity of Naomi, her deceased husband, her sons and her daughter in laws. There ethnicities make the story possible.

In modern society we are often remined of the ethnic groups that historically don’t like each other. The crisis in the Middle east with Iran outside of the political and economic factors has been ethnic and religious differences that have troubled the region for decades. In Ruth we see two groups of people: the Moabites and the Hebrews who are enemies yet the sons of Naomi and her husband both marry Moabite woman. Furthermore, when a famine strikes Israel, the family moves to Moab (enemy territory) to find relief.

The Book of Ruth begins with the reader finding out that Naomi is widowed and recently her two sons have died. Naomi is afraid and plans to go back to Judah and she encourages hew daughters in law to remain in Moab and create a life for themselves. Orpah agrees with her mother and law and remains in Moab, but Ruth insists that she will stay with her mother-in-law.

The Book reveals something else about life’s journey. The entire family went to Moab to find relief from a famine in Bethlehem in Judah and they go to Moab. Elimelek, (Ruth’s husband) dies and unfortunately ten years later Mahlon and Kilion, Ruth’s sons also die. They went to Moab to avoid the harsh life caused by the famine; however, Ruth and her daughters in law encountered tough times. No matter where we go, we will encounter difficilt times even when we are trying to leave bad situations and build better lives for ourselves someplace else. What would their lives have been like if they stayed in Betlehem in Judah? We will never know that. Sometimes in life we have to just stay put and deal with the trouble that we are presently encountering. There is no guarantee that life will be greener on the other side.

The story of Ruth and Naomi and their loyalty to each other should be lifted up in comparaison to the plethora of negative images we see portrayed in modern mediums: television, music, etc. especially some forms of reality TV.

The rest of the story is about perseverance and belief that better days will come. The late Jesse Jackson said, “Keep Hope Alive.” If we don’t have hope, we have already decided to be live in defeat. Better days come to Naomi and Ruth through the presence and kindness of Boaz but also in their belief and hope in God.