Decisions Decide Destinies and Destinations.
3 Now Elimelek, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. 4 They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, 5 both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband. (Nothing left for Naomi there) Ruth 1
These three ladies were together in close relationship for a long time, ten years or more. Then death visited all three of them and that season of their lives came to an end. We can live and walk closely with people around us for a considerable time in life, but then something happens which brings change to our situations. Naomi (means pleasant), decided there was nothing left for her in Moab and that she would return to her own people and land. So a time of separation had come, each had to decide their own way. Orpah chose the familiar route and returned to her family and her people, in the land of her birth.
14 At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her.
Naturally there was deep sadness on the breaking of such close and longstanding relationships, but the season had ended.
16 But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.’ 18 When Naomi realised that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.
The bond between Ruth and Naomi was to endure Naomi’s decision to return to her people and her God. Ruth was willing to sacrifice all to go with Naomi and live in Bethlehem with the Lord’s people. WHO IS YOUR DESTINY WITH? The people we choose to walk with today may well help decide the future for us. Ruth not only embraced her mother-in-law, but Naomi’s people and her God.
Ruth and Naomi arrived at the beginning of the barley harvest. Harvest is a strategic time for rural communities and the coming harvest of souls for the Kingdom of God has been on God’s prophetic calendar for a long time. Don’t be surprised if God repositions some us to be in place for His Kingdom harvest. Some of us may find ourselves relocated within the body to be better placed for what lies ahead.
Ruth and Naomi had a long journey across an arid landscape to reach Bethlehem in Judah, but their timing was perfect. Ruth later acknowledged to Boaz, that, ‘she had less standing than one of his servant girls’, when he showed her Favour. Ruth 2:13
11 And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know THAT YOU ARE A WOMAN OF NOBLE CHARACTER. Ruth 3
The only thing Ruth brought with her to Bethlehem was her nobility of character. Some day when our pilgrimage here is over that’s all we’ll have to stand before the Lord, nothing from the earth realm will come with us. Ruth arrived empty handed, but Boaz, the Lord of the Harvest took her as his bride.
God bless and keep you today.