What a happy ending to what could have been disastrous. I see a woman who was honest with herself, her neighbors, and God, confessing bitterness and no small amount of anger about what she had experienced. She had been taken away from her home and family by her husband to go to a land hostile by nature to God. Her sons grew up away from Israel, married Moabite women, which was against God’s instructions. She was prepared to go home alone after her husband and sons died. Ruth refused to leave her, so the two of them returned to an uncertain future in Israel. Would Bethlehem receive them? Would God receive them back? 

The fact that in these circumstances, a bitter Naomi still looked for God’s hand in all that happened is praiseworthy. And Ruth? Ruth embraced her new religion with its customs and relied on the wisdom of Naomi.

Out of the bitterness of Naomi, God wrought reconciliation and renewed faith, giving Naomi the one thing that would mean the most to her… an heir.

This is an important story. It highlights what real faith looks like in the face of uncertain and potentially disastrous circumstances. Naomi’s faith walked her through the loss of almost her entire family. Ruth’s faith walked her into God’s family. This tale speaks to how God can take what appears to be totally unrelated threads and weave a beautiful tapestry. 

 

Audio (Spotify) link:

Essays in Ruth – the Epilogue

YouTube Link:

Essays in Ruth – the Epilogue

 

In His Grip…

Paige