A severe famine came over the land of Israel. A man, Elimelech and his wife–Naomi–took their two sons to live in the country of Moab. Elimelech died and Naomi was left with her two sons, who married Moabite women. But 10 years later, Naomi lost her two sons. All Naomi had were her two daughters-in-law, Oprah and Ruth.
Naomi heard the Lord blessed her homeland with crops, so her and her daughters-in-law prepared to leave Moab. Naomi had a change of heart on the way and asked her daughters-in-law to go back to Moab. Naomi said she was tool old to remarry and have children for her daughters-in-law to marry. And even then, she did not expect them to wait for her children to grow up. Naomi had selfless intentions. She wanted her daughters-in-laws to live a “happily ever after.” Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye and headed back to Moab. But, Ruth did not leave Naomi.
“Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will my people, and your God will be my God.” (Ruth 1:16)
It would have been easy for Ruth to turn her back on Naomi. It would have been easy for her to put her needs and desires first. Ruth didn’t take the easy way out. She stuck by Naomi when she was in the deepest and darkest time of her life. Naomi was bitter, sad, angry, but Ruth was steadfast. She was the rock on which Naomi stood. Ruth illustrates loyalty and she is the epitome of true friendship.
Naomi and Ruth had little in common. They were from different cultures, places and families and Naomi was older than Ruth. Despite their differences, they established a deep bond. They both knew loss; they were widows. But, most importantly, Naomi introduced Ruth to God because she wanted Ruth to experience the joy of having a relationship with the King of Kings. God was the footing of their friendship and because of their relationship with God, they held each other accountable to their faith.
Ruth blesses Naomi with her friendship because Naomi never expected to have someone to hold onto after the loss of all the men in her life. Ruth shows pure, boundless love to her mother-in-law. She owed nothing to Naomi, but instead gave her everything. Freedom was a key aspect of their friendship. Ruth didn’t feel obligated to follow Naomi, when Naomi was willing to let Ruth go back to her family. And Naomi even helped Ruth find Boaz because their friendship would only grow stronger. Naomi and Ruth’s friendship rose above their differences. Their commitment to each other is a beautiful example of Christ’s own self-giving for humanity.
God, thank you so much for placing Godly women in my life that I get to call my best friends. Thank you for these friends who do not turn their back on me. Instead, they lift me up and love me in the valleys of my life. Together, we pursue You and love You. Thank you for these friends who draw me closer to You, each and every day. Thank you for giving me more than one Ruth. I am so very blessed.
And to my best friends (you know who you are), I promise to be the Ruth to your Naomi. I promise to never turn my back on you. I promise that wherever you go, I will always be there, supporting and rooting for all your dreams to come true. I promise to never let distance ruin our friendship. I promise your God will be my God. I promise to carry you through the peaks and valleys of your life. I promise to let love be the foundation of our friendship. I promise to always be your Ruth.
