Ruth: The Romance Of Repentance And Inclusion P2(Stay Or Run)

Emmanuel Nyabam

Apr 22

IN THE days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem of Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, his wife, and his two sons. The man's name was Elimelech and his wife's name was Naomi and his two sons were named Mahlon [invalid] and Chilion [pining]; they were Ephrathites from Bethlehem of Judah. They went to the country of Moab and continued there. But Elimelech, who Naomi's husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. And they took wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They dwelt there about ten years; And Mahlon and Chilion died also, both of them, so the woman was bereft of her two sons and her husband. And Ruth said, Urge me not to leave you or to turn back from following you; for where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts me from you. Ruth 1:1‭-‬5‭, ‬16‭-‬17 AMPC

This morning we pick up from where we ended yesterday. Can we get real herein folk. My friends who have lost their spouses especially the women will tell you it is not easy. You become numb to many things and in all honesty their children then are their comfort and solace. So sickly and failing Mahlon and Chilion were a comfort for Naomi after her husband's passing. Funny enough today their deaths would be written off as sticklers or Rhesus factor that took the two. The truth is the mother further disobeyed and it cost her son's who married Moab women.

The two comforted their mother Naomi and just perhaps as they married she probably thought they produce that grand child she could call God is King. We would never know whether their wives had miscarriages as the Bible never states and the Bible was clear non would be feeble as long as they trusted and obeyed God. Same Bible also assured non would be barren, so what happened to these two and it cost them their lives is sin. With all this folk pray do tell, would Naomi be nice or cantankerous to her daughter inlaws? As a goodly African I doubt it.

Grief shows up in the worst of ways you know and many can't handle grief. Picture her guys as she prepared to return home. She said in verse 8, "go return home. May God deal with thee as they dealt with sickly failing dead and herself." Kyenpiya has taken care of my rested mother and now my ailing father. Honestly it is not an easy task for a parent talkless and in-law. All sorts have been said and most don't appreciate the effort put in. In fact at a point my dove wanted to leave and that really affected our home. Can you imagine what these ladies were all going through?

In short Naomi was crass and crude if you follow ethically how the ancients behaved. How does one find rest in a husband's house when your husband just passed? Yet that's exactly what Naomi said. In fact she was mocking them for lack of husband and children. Yet it was at this point to be or not to be that Ruth made the profound statement in verses 16 and 17. Two contrasting things happened at this point. Orpah chose to return to her people and their God and indeed left. While Ruth chose to make the statement; Entreat me not to leave you,or to turn back from following after you. For wherever you go, I will go; wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people will be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also if anything parts you and me.

What made one stay is what made one leave. The thought that comes to mind is Stay or Run... The unshakable faith to stay led to the romance of inclusion for Ruth. The entire tribe of Moab was cut down by King Saul. His disobedience in that mission cost him his throne. The heir to that throne was a descendant of Ruth and she is the only reason that nation is even remembered. No one knows about Orpah but the world can't speak about Jesus without the mention of Ruth. So when faced with trials in our marriages and life, do we stay and fight for love or run? That is what I leave us today with a thought! When you chased and wooed her it was a fight to make her yours. Will you keep fighting or would you run to Delilah's lap? Shalom

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