What does a ticket to Moab cost? It cost Elimelech and Naomi everything. Naomi left Moab as the only surviving member of her family. In her wake were the graves of her husband and her two sons. All she had left were the memories of happier days.
Perhaps it was a Moabite trader or some traveler that carried the news, but somehow Naomi learned that "the Lord had visited His people by giving them bread" (v.6). The famine was over and again Bethlehem was in reality the house of bread.
Then she arose that she might return. (v.6) The only way to partake of what God is doing is to leave where we are and go to where He is. All those who desire to go on with God must learn how to say good-bye. They must learn how to get along alone with God. It is difficult for uncommitted men to abandon all in pursuit of God, but Jesus declared, "If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:26). The person who would go on with God cannot afford to camp beside the grave of past blessings, but must go out from there to go on with God.
She went out and her two daughters-in-law with her. (v.7) No journey of such importance is accomplished over night. In its beginnings many are willing to participate, but with time the company of travelers dwindles. At first, Orpah and Ruth were pleased to travel with Naomi. Neither of them are dissuaded when Naomi exhorted them to return to their mother's home. She assured them that they were free to go with her blessing, but both daughter-in-laws vowed, "Surely, we will return with you to your people" (10). How commendable. On the surface leavers and cleavers look the same.
Naomi said…"Go, return each to her mother's house." (v. 8) Maybe it was the way Orpah looked back over her shoulder at Moab or maybe it was the muffled cries at night, but something alerted Naomi to Orpah's reluctance to leave her homeland and family. If you probe far enough you will find that most people have a reason to return to Moab.2Tim 4:10 (NKJV) for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica--Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.
Luke 18:22 (NKJV) So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." 23 But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.
John 6:65 (NKJV) And He said, "Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father." 66 From that [time] many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also want to go away?" 68 But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 "Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."Naomi said…"Would you restrain yourselves from having husbands? (v. 13) When Naomi explained that she could not provide husbands for her daughter-in-laws, Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to Naomi. Once more Naomi gave Ruth the opportunity to return home and encouraged her to follow Orpah back to "her people and her gods" (15). It is here that Ruth makes a statement that has reached around the world. Concerning her response William Jennings Bryan wrote:
"We cannot hope to contribute to literature a sentence so exquisite and so thrilling as that into which Ruth poured the full measure of a noble heart, but we can imitate her in devotion-the brightest jewel in her crown."
Ruth clung to her. (v. 14) What was it about Naomi that caused Ruth to abandon all to follow her? What had she seen in Naomi's life that made her willingly leave her people and forsake her gods? We can't say for sure, but whatever it was, it was of greater value than a husband and home back in Moab.
When she saw that she was determined. (v. 18) Naomi, satisfied with Ruth's commitment to follow her back to Bethlehem, ceases speaking to Ruth about returning to Moab. We should not think ill of Naomi for evaluating Ruth's level of commitment and motive for journeying with her. It was the way of Elijah with Elisha (2 Kings 2:1-14), and it is God's way with us. Jesus said, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62). Perhaps we do would-be followers a disservice by begging them to travel with us. When they fail to realize their agenda or when the way grows rough they will return to Moab and curse you for the time they've wasted on the road to Bethlehem.
The two of them went until they came to Bethlehem. (v.19) There's a big difference between leaving and cleaving. Curiosity will keep some on the road, but curiosity that is not soon satisfied will kiss its companions good-bye and return to Moab. Others will remain on the road as long as their agenda has the hope of being accomplished, but when they are called to forfeit their plans for God's will they return to their people, their gods, and Moab. Inconvenience has prevented many a person from journeying until they came to The House of Bread. This is a journey that requires total heart commitment.
Is this Naomi. (v. 19) The remarks of the women and of Naomi about herself implies that Naomi had nothing to offer anyone. If Ruth had hoped for a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, she was to be terribly disappointed. Naomi left with plenty, but had returned a widowed pauper. Still Ruth clings to her mother-in-law and bears the name "Ruth the Moabitess." Her commitment holds!
At the beginning of barley harvest. (v. 22) Naomi and Ruth came home empty, but in time to help with the harvest. If they humbled themselves, they would find work in the fields as harvesters. Arrival in Bethlehem is not the end, but the beginning. These new arrivals, who in times past owned fields, must now humble themselves and do the work of the poor field hand. She that is last shall be first, but first she must be last. Again, Ruth proves that she is a committed cleaver and not just a leaver.My Study Notes from the Book of Ruth (C)1999, by Louis Bartet, all rights reserved. Back to Maps And Compass .