Elimelech,
a certain man of Bethelem, Judah went to dwell in Moab along with his wife Naomi and his two sons Mahlon and
Chilion because there was famine in Judah. But in Moab, Naomi?s husband died.
The
sons then married Orpah and Ruth both from Moab. They lived with their wives in Moab for ten years approximately. The sons of Naomi died
suddenly and Naomi was filled with great agony.
Now,
Naomi heard that the Lord had visited His people in Judah and blessed them with food. She left Moab with her daughters-in-law to return to Judah.
While
they were on their way Naomi told her daughters-in-law to return to their
mother?s houses as they were young enough to get married again and settle down.
How
many resolutions do we make as we begin each New year? Do we fulfill them all
through out the year? This was just a small test. Naomi told both her
daughters-in-law, ?Go to your mother?s house (Ruth1: 8) it grieves me very much
for your sakes.? (Ruth1:13) As soon as she said this Orpah kissed her
mother-in-law and went away.(Ruth1:14)
But we can recall them both promising their mother-in-law to go with her to her
people. We are able to clearly see the love, concern and are Naomi had for her
daughter-in-law through this incident. But yet one of the daughters-in-law
Orpah fails the test and goes back on her decision to go with her
mother-in-law. Let us recall the number of times we would have wandered away
from the Lord during times of testing and trials and repent if we have not.
We
make decisions every New Year, but the Bible admonishes us to fulfill the vows
we make. (Ecclesiastes5:4) Ruth made new decisions and fulfilled them till the
end. She caused her mother-in-law to love her and care for her more. The lack
in her house disappeared. They gleaned the fields since it was harvest time and
they had food. New decisions brought new grace.
2. Naomi
told Ruth that her sister-in-law had left them to be with her people and her Gods.
So she urged her also to do likewise. (Ruth1:15) This was yet another test for
Ruth. But she firmly replied this time saying, ?Your people will be my people
and your God will be my God.? After
Ruth?s reply Naomi never spoke anything to her in this regard. Instead of the fights
we see between the mother-in-laws and daughter-in-laws we see Naomi?s special
characters drawing Ruth closer to her, the mother-in-law. Through this we are
able to perceive that Naomi was very God fearing and held only onto the Lord
for her future.
How many of us are firm during times of testing. Though
her mother-in-law did not have any anything Ruth left her people and held onto
her mother-in-law. She forsook her gods and held onto the Lord. She listened to
Naomi and obeyed her elders.
Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to
your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with
humility, for God resists the proud,But gives grace to the humble. 1Peter 5:5
Ruth
was fully repaid for her work and a full reward was given her by the Lord God
under whose wings she came for refuge (Ruth2: 12). She found favour in the eyes
of Boaz, a wealthy relative of Naomi.
Depend
on the Lord Jesus Christ for all the new decisions you have made in the New
Year, receive His favor and be exalted.
3.
Naomi was filled with bitterness when she entered Bethlehem and she told everyone that they should call her Mara
(Ruth1: 20). But her status changed. The Lord is compassionate. She received
the Lord?s favor through Boaz. He redeemed the fields of Naomi and through this
the Lord was proved as a one who shows kindness to the living and the dead
(Ruth 2: 20).
Today Jesus Christ is our redeemer. He is a Lord who
forgives us no matter what we have done and shows us favor. May you who want to
follow the Lord in this New Year receive new changes and may you receive all
that you have lost as new benefits in this New Year and live in peace.
4. Ruth was a Moabite. Moabites are not acceptable in the
sight of the lord. The lord spoke through Moses in Deuteronomy 23: 3 saying,
?No Ammonites or Moabites, or any of their descendants for ten generations, may
be included in the assembly of the Lord.?
But yet Ruth the Moabite received the
lord?s favor. She confessed, ?Your God will be My God.? The Lord also
remembered the promise that in Abraham all the generations of the earth will be
blessed (Gen 12: 3).
The Lord surely blessed Ruth and her family. A son named Obeth was born to Ruth and Boaz.
Naomi?s bitterness disappeared.
The Lord removed the sins and curses
of the Moabites. Our Lord and the savior
of the world Jesus Christ was born in the lineage of this Ruth (Mat 1: 5). He removed our sins, diseases and curses on
the cross (Gal 3: 13).
When we come to our Lord Jesus Christ
remembering His blood He removes our sins and curses and makes us a new
creation (2corinthians 5: 17). Naomi brought her daughter-in-law to the Lord
through her good character. In the same manner let us through our good
character bring our families and many other women to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Receive the Lord Jesus Christ into your
hearts and receive new grace, new favor, new benefits and new blessings and
live happily.
Message by : Mrs. Mercy Jebaraj Samuel, M.A.,
B.Ed., MABS.,
