Ruth's Sacrifice for Loyalty
by
Sandy Zabel
Published by Two His Glory Publishing,
COPYRIGHT ©2012 Sandy Zabel
Discover other titles at Two His Glory Publishing
ISBN # 9781476294285
This story is dedicated to all those who love the experiences of Ruth. She was an amazing woman.
Sandy Zabel
Ruth stood at the door of her home looking down the street. She brushed a dark strand of hair back from her face as she waited. Her thoughts wandered from the life she had lived while growing up to the present day. Now she shared her home with her husband, her mother-in-law Naomi, her brother-in-law and his wife, Orpah. Even though it seemed like a strange mixture of people all living together in one house it was for the best for all of them.
Naomi and her husband Elimelech, with their two sons Mahlon and Kilion were Jews who had moved to Moab many years ago because of a famine in Israel. Being Jewish in Moab was not an easy life but they had adapted well and both sons had married Moabite women. Then Elimelech had died leaving Naomi alone.
Ruth loved her mother-in-law and she knew Orpah did too so it only made sense to all live together. Life wasn't easy in Moab even for Moabites. As Ruth gazed out the door two petite women, Naomi and Orpah came into view from the market and Ruth ran to help them carry their load.
"What did you find today at the market? Were there good sales?" she asked trying to look in the baskets the two women carried.
"Just wait till we get them set down," Naomi said and smiled at her beautiful daughter-in-law. "I can see why God did not bless us with children in this family with two little girls as daughters-in-law." She smiled lovingly at her two girls as they hugged each other and laughed. She brushed a wisp of dark hair back from Orpah's eyes.
"You are right about that," Ruth teased, "Who needs children when you have us." She grabbed Naomi and danced her around the table. When they stopped they were out of breath but happy to be together. "What's for supper?"
As the women fixed their evening meal Orpah told Ruth about the bad news she had heard in the market.
"There are many people sick with a strange illness and some are even dying," she said sadly. "It's a very scary thing to think a person can be well one day and sick and die the next. That seems to be the way this sickness is working." She gave a slight shudder as she sat a bowl on the table.
Naomi smiled and said, "I know you girls weren't raised to know my God but He is very powerful and will protect us from the sickness."
"We may not have been raised learning about your God but we have heard so much about Him since we came into your family I think we both know Him," Ruth said. She nudged Orpah who nodded and smiled.
"Is it about time for the guys to be home?" Orpah asked and looked out the open doorway.
Ruth could see the men coming far down the road and gestured with her eyes to let Naomi know she had seen them.
"We may have to eat without them if they don't come soon," Naomi said. "Everything will get cold and I can't stand to eat cold food."
"Oh no! We couldn't possibly do that," Orpah exclaimed running to the door. "We need to wait . . . Why there they are." She turned and looked at the two women grinning at her from behind the table. "You knew all along," she said, smiling. "This calls for retaliation, you know." She grabbed a broom and acted like she was going to swat them with it while they all laughed.
As the men opened the door and stepped into the room their wives ran to hug them.
"We are so glad you're home," Ruth said. "Look at the wonderful meal we have fixed for you." She pointed at the table covered with food ready to eat.
"It looks wonderful," Mahlon said and sat down along with the others. After thanking God for the meal they all became quiet as they began to eat.
"Did you hear about all the people who have died because of that strange sickness?" Killion asked seriously, looking at the others.
"Yes, we heard about it at the market this morning," Naomi said. "It is a sad thing. Is there anything a person can do to protect himself?" She looked at Mahlon and Killion but neither had any suggestions.
"I guess we will have to trust God to take care of us," she stated and the conversation went on to other topics.
The next day when the women went to the market they heard news of more deaths from the sickness. Many of their friends were grieving over the loss of loved ones and Naomi, Ruth and Orpah grieved along with them. Some of the ones who died had been their friends.
"Let's go home. All this sadness is hard to take without breaking down and crying," Orpah said sadly. As one they gathered their purchases and moved in the direction of home.
As they came into their street they could see several men helping two men walk down the street.
"Oh look. Those men must have the sickness," Ruth exclaimed. "They can't even walk. See how the other men have to help them. Can you see who it is?"
Suddenly Orpah screamed and pointed at the men. "It is Mahlon and Kilion! What is wrong with them?" She started to run to the group of men coming toward them. Ruth felt Naomi's arms come around her and she threw her arms around Naomi so they could support each other.
The men helped Mahlon and Kilion into the house and to their beds then left them to the care of their wives. Frantically the three women bathed the men's hot foreheads and kept them covered when they pushed the covers to the side. As hard as they worked they could see they were not helping much. The brothers were slowing getting weaker and sicker. By the time it was dark both men had died and the women sat down exhausted.
"What are we going to do?" sobbed Orpah tears running down her cheeks. Both Ruth and Naomi put their arms around her as well as each other.
"I don't know what we will do but for now we are going to hold each other and help each other through this," Naomi said through her own tears. Slowly they sat down at the table and forced themselves to eat some bread and cheese. Then they moved to Naomi's bed and tried to sleep.
Early the next morning Naomi told the men who came to ask about Mahlon and Kilion that they had died so the men wrapped the bodies in blankets and took them for burial. With so many people sick and dying no one came to help them mourn their loss. It was too dangerous to be around anyone who had the sickness.
When the burial was over Ruth thanked the men who had helped them then sat at the table with Naomi and Orpah weeping.
Over the next several days women came and brought them simple food they could eat without having to cook. After several days Naomi knew they had to do something so she urged the women to clean the house and put things in order.
On the fourth day Naomi decided to go to the market. When she returned she showed the first spark of excitement she had shown since before her son's had died.
"Ruth, Orpah, I heard at the market that the famine has lifted in Israel," she exclaimed. "Maybe we should go home so we can start over. I have kinsfolk there that can help us." Ruth and Orpah looked at each other not knowing what to say. That was not their home, Moab was.
"That is something we need to seriously think about," Ruth said quietly. "It might be the solution to all our problems." She smiled at Naomi and gave her a hug. The last thing she wanted to do was kill Naomi's little spark of joy but she wasn't sure she wanted to leave her home and family in Moab. It definitely was something they would have to think about.
After the three women were in bed that night Ruth heard soft sobs. She knew they were coming from Naomi because she could hear Orpah's slow breathing.
"Naomi, can I do something for you?" Ruth asked sitting on Naomi's
bed and wrapping her arms around the weeping woman.
"Oh Ruth. My God has forsaken me. He has taken my husband and now my sons. I have no one to care for me and I am an old woman. How can I work and support myself?" Naomi wept bitterly but tried to be quiet so she wouldn't wake Oprah.
"Naomi, I will care for you, and Oprah will too. We are young and can work. We are here for you." Ruth hugged Naomi tighter with protective arms.
"Ruth, I want to go home," Naomi sobbed. "I miss my home so much. It's been ten years since we left and I still miss it."
"Then we will go," Ruth stated firmly. "We will do what needs to be done tomorrow and leave the next day."
The next day the women were busy sorting what needed to go and what needed to be sold. It was hard to work without tears but by their evening meal they were finished and ready to start the next morning.
"This has been a busy day," Naomi said wearily but with a spark of excitement in her voice. "We need to sleep so we can get an early start in the morning."
"Yes, but I need to do one more thing outside. Would you help me Orpah. It won't take long." Ruth motioned for Orpah to come outside with her then led her away from the house.
"Orpah, I know this is hard for you. It's hard for me too but I don't want to let Naomi go alone. I think we need to go and help her get settled in her home land," Ruth said looking earnestly at Orpah.
"Oh Ruth, we will never see our families again," Orpah said tearfully pacing back and forth. Finally she stopped and faced Ruth, "But I do agree. We can't let Naomi go alone and I love her. I want to be with her too. This is just too hard." Ruth gave Orpah a big hug.
"We are agreed then to stay with Naomi?" Ruth asked seriously.
Orpah nodded and tried to smile. "Let's go in and get some sleep."
The next morning Naomi was up before either of the young women. "Up, you sleepy heads," she called. "This is a big day. We are going home!"
Ruth and Orpah sat up and tried to smile through yawns. After eating a quick breakfast they picked up their loads and went to the road to meet the caravan that was headed toward Israel.
As they walked, Orpah kept looking back trying not to let Naomi see. When she looked at Naomi she smiled but her eyes glistened with unshed tears. Finally after several miles, Naomi stopped them.
"Girls, this isn't fair to you," she said looking at each of the beautiful young women. "This is your home. I have been selfish wanting to go to my home but also have both of you with me. That isn't right for you. I am an old woman but you are young and vibrant and can have husbands and possibly children yet."
"No Naomi," Ruth interrupted. "We want to go with you. You are our family as much as our families here."
"I agree we are family but I am old. I cannot have more sons for you to marry. Even if I could you would have to wait for them to grow up. No," Naomi stated firmly, "it is best for both of you to go back to your Moab families. They will take care of you while I can't.
Orpah looked back undecided. "It's ok Orpah if you want to go back," Naomi said. She gave Orpah a tight hug. "You will always be in my heart and prayers. You have been a good daughter to me and wife to my son. I could never ask for better. Go! I want you to be with your Moab family."
Orpah looked shamefully at Ruth. "It's Ok Orpah. I won't make you go with us if you want to go back. I understand." Orpah ran to Ruth and hugged her while the tears flowed. Turning she ran back the way they had come.
Ruth turned quickly to Naomi. "Well are we going to catch up with the caravan?" she asked.
"No Ruth. I want you to go back with Orpah," Naomi said. "That is where your life is, not with an old woman in a strange country. It is harder for me than for you because my God has turned against me. He took your husband and that is hard, but He took my husband and my two sons."
"Please don't make me go back," Ruth implored standing humbly in front of Naomi. "I want to be with you. I want to go where you go. Your people will be my people and your God will be my God too. Where you die, I will die. I want your God to deal with me very harshly if I let anything but death separate us!" Naomi looked deeply into Ruth's eyes and knew she couldn't persuade Ruth to go back. Quietly she nodded and hugged Ruth then turned and started after the caravan with Ruth following.
Naomi and Ruth walked day after day, sometimes talking but most of the time quietly, side by side. Ruth helped Naomi when she was tired and needed more strength than she had of her own. When they finally reached Bethlehem, women there greeted Naomi with surprise.
"Is that Naomi?" they yelled at each other. "It is, it's Naomi. Many women ran and circled around Naomi, hugging her and talking to her.
"Naomi, come and sit with us and rest. You look like you have traveled a long way. Tell us what has happened? Where is your family, your husband and sons?"
"My friends, do not call me Naomi. My God has dealt harshly with me," she said bitterly. "Call me Mara. My husband died first then my two sons. A strange illness took both my sons at the same time. Now I have no one, no one at all." Looking up she saw Ruth standing alone just outside the circle of women. Suddenly she stopped. No, that wasn't true, she thought, she did have someone. She had someone who loved her very much and had sacrificed everything to be with her. She had Ruth and she knew Ruth would never leave her.
"Friends, what I just said is not true. I do have someone, someone very important to me. I want you to meet Ruth, my daughter."
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Thank you for purchasing this story. I pray you enjoyed it as much as I did writing it. If you would like to suggest other Bible experiences you would like to see written, please contact me at
[email protected].com and put 'Bible Experiences' in the subject line so it won't get past me. I would love hearing from you.
Sandy Zabel