She sat on the stool outside her door and watched someone else’s children. They raced down the street, their laughter echoing back as they rounded a corner. Children were life, and hers were no more. But there was still a chance for her daughters-in-law, if she did what she knew she must.
If she remained in Kir-hareseth, Ruth and Orpah would continue to live with her. They would spend their youth looking after the mother of their dead husbands. How could she allow these sweet girls to waste their lives on her? She loved them too much to continue to see them begging for a handful of grain from strangers or living off charity from friends and relatives. But if she left Kir-hareseth and Moab, her daughters-in-law could return to their families, who would welcome them. Naomi had no doubt their fathers would find husbands for them quickly, for they were young and beautiful. Then Ruth and Orpah would have the joy of children. Naomi wanted that for them more than anything.
As for her, she wanted to go home to Bethlehem. She didn’t know if any of her relatives or friends remained there or had survived the famine, but she had heard that the famine had finally ended. Perhaps the Midianite raids had also come to an end. Even so, what did it matter? She longed to go home, and she was willing to accept whatever she found when she reached Bethlehem. If she must be reduced to spending her last years as a beggar, so be it. At least she would feel the Promised Land beneath her feet again. At least she would be where others worshiped God as she did.
Oh, Lord, make it be so. Bring me safely home before I die. Oh, Father, have mercy on me, for I’m alone and in deep distress. My problems go from bad to worse. And I want to do what’s right in Your eyes. Help me!
Neighbors greeted her as they passed by. She smiled and nodded her head while her mind raced on. Why am I sitting here? Am I waiting for God to speak to me audibly as He did to Moses? Who am I that God would speak in such a manner? Do I expect Him to write a letter to me on that wall over there telling me what to do? I know what I must do! I will repent and return to my homeland.
Naomi put her hands on her knees and pushed herself up. Lowering her shawl to her shoulders, she went back into her house. Ruth was kneeling, flattening bread dough and laying it over the metal stove, while Orpah was mending a garment. Both young women glanced up and smiled at her. She paused, gazing between them, trying to find words to explain, and failing. She turned away and began gathering her few things.
Ruth rose. “What are you doing, Mother?”
“I’m packing.”
“Packing?” Orpah said. “But where are you going?”
“I’m going home.”
* * *
Naomi had known that Ruth and Orpah would insist on accompanying her to Bethlehem. Impetuous youth. She didn’t argue with them; she knew they would soon understand the immensity of leaving Moab and their families behind. She was sure they would be ready to go home again by the time they reached the Arnon River. It would be far easier to dissuade them at the boundary of their country than to waste her breath arguing with them now. She would enjoy their company awhile longer and then send them home. She didn’t want to ponder the fact that she would never see them again after they left her. She would never forget them, and she would pray for them every day for as long as she lived.
As they prepared to leave the house, Naomi wondered if they would even make it down the hill with all the things Orpah had decided to bring. The poor girl. She couldn’t bear to leave anything behind. She was loaded down with everything she had accumulated during her marriage to Kilion, including a small stool. Orpah moaned in distress. “Oh, I wish we could bring the table and rug . . .”
Ruth, on the other hand, had only a pack full of colorful sashes she’d made, a skin of water, and enough grain and raisin cakes to last for several days. “Where are the rest of your things, Ruth?” Naomi asked her.
“I have all I need. Let me carry the cooking pan, Mother. It’s too heavy for you. We’ll travel farther today if I carry it.”
Naomi had spoken to the family next door, telling them Orpah and Ruth would be returning in a day or two. She wanted to be sure no one bothered what was left in the house. When the young women returned to Kir-hareseth, they could sell everything, including the house, and split whatever came of it. Naomi didn’t care about any of the belongings she was leaving behind. She preferred the plain things of her people to the finery of the Moabites, Philistines, and Egyptians. It was Elimelech who had placed such importance on the gifts he gave her, and they would be out of place in Bethlehem.
She suspected that Ruth would give everything to Orpah. Dear Ruth—she had such a generous heart, not to mention a wealthy father who would want her to return to his house. Naomi knew him well enough to suspect that he already had another husband in mind for Ruth, a rich merchant’s son or an official in the king’s court. Her heart sank at the thought of Ruth married to someone other than her son. Curious . . . the same wasn’t true of Orpah.
Perhaps it was because Ruth had responded to her teachings about the true God. How Naomi had rejoiced as she watched the slow budding of the girl’s faith.
“Did you see your father and mother yesterday, Ruth?”
Ruth shook her head.
“Why not? They should know you’re leaving the city.”
“They will know that I’m with you.”
“Do they know I’m going back to Bethlehem?”
“My mother said you would, and I told her that even if you did, I belong with my husband’s family.”
Naomi said no more about it. She started off, carrying only a small sack of parched grain, a skin of water, and a leather bag in which was a sandalwood box containing crystals of frankincense. She would give it to the priest when she reached Bethlehem, an offering for the Lord.
She felt a sense of relief as she walked through the gates of Kir-hareseth and saw the road before her. Whatever hardships came, at least she was on her way back to Canaan. She didn’t look back. Orpah did look back, weeping softly, but Ruth merely smiled and gazed off toward the King’s Highway to the Dead Sea. “It’s a good day to begin our journey, Mother.”
The day wore on and the sun rose, hot and oppressive. Naomi felt despair creeping into her heart. Soon she would say good-bye to these daughters. Lord, give me the strength to place their needs ahead of my fear of being alone. Father, bless them for their kindness to me. Take them safely home, and give me the courage to go on alone.
At midday they stopped to rest beneath a terebinth tree. Naomi accepted the raisin cake and cup of water Ruth offered, but Orpah declined food. She was quiet, her eyes downcast. Ruth sat down and wiped the perspiration from her face. She looked weary but was more concerned about her sister-in-law than herself. “Are you not feeling well, Orpah?”
“I’ll be all right after a rest.”
Naomi knew what was wrong, but the knowledge gave her no satisfaction. She must send them back now. There was still time enough for them to be safely back inside the city walls before nightfall. She finished eating quickly and rose, lifting to her own back the bundle Ruth had insisted upon carrying to this point.
“What are you doing?” Ruth said, rising as well.
“I’m going on alone.”
“No, Mother!”
Orpah came to her feet and joined Ruth in protest, weeping profusely. “Don’t go! Please don’t go.”
Naomi’s heart broke, but she knew she must remain firm. “Go back to your mothers’ homes instead of coming with me. And may the Lord reward you for your kindness to your husbands and to me. May the Lord bless you with the security of another marriage.”
Ruth wept. “No.” She shook her head. “No, no . . .” She stepped forward. “We want to go with you to your people.”
“Why should you go on with me?” Naomi said, striving and failing to keep her voice from becoming strident with restrained emotion. “Can I still give birth to other sons who could grow up to be your husbands? No, my daughters, return to your parents’ homes, for I am too old to marry again. And ev
en if it were possible, and I were to get married tonight and bear sons, then what? Would you wait for them to grow up and refuse to marry someone else? No, of course not, my daughters! Things are far more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord Himself has caused me to suffer.”
Ruth and Orpah wept harder. Orpah embraced her. “I shall never forget you, Naomi. May you have a safe journey home.”
“Nor I you,” Naomi said and kissed her. “And a safe journey to you as well!”
Orpah took up her bundles and started back toward Kir-hareseth. She paused after a little way and looked back, perplexed. “Aren’t you coming, Ruth?”
“No.” Ruth shook her head, her eyes awash with tears. “I’m going with Mother.”
Orpah dropped her things and ran back to embrace her. “Are you certain, my sister?”
“Never more certain.”
“Please . . .”
“No. Go back without me. I will go on with Naomi.”
With one last look back, Orpah started off again. Naomi watched Orpah walk quickly away and then looked at Ruth. She stretched out her hand and pointed toward Kir-hareseth. “See. Your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods. You should do the same.”
Tears slipped down Ruth’s face, but she didn’t move. “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back, for I won’t.”
“But how can I not tell you to go?” Naomi came closer. “You heard what I said, Ruth. Should I take you back to Bethlehem with me so you can have the same bitter existence I’ll have? Should you grow old without a husband and children? Go after Orpah! Return to your mother and father!”
“No,” Ruth said, weeping. “I won’t leave you. Make me your proselyte.”
Naomi’s heart squeezed tight. “Oh, my sweet one, think of what you’re saying. The lives of my people are not as easy as what you’ve known. We’re commanded to keep Sabbaths and holy days, on which we may not travel more than two thousand cubits.”
“I will go wherever you go.”
Naomi knew she must speak the truth, even if it hurt Ruth’s feelings. “We’re commanded not to spend the night with Gentiles.”
“I will live wherever you live.”
“We’re commanded to keep over six hundred precepts!”
“Whatever your people keep I will keep, Mother, for your people will be my people.”
Naomi kept on. “We are forbidden to worship any strange god. Chemosh is an abomination!”
“Your God will be my God.”
Naomi spread her hands. “We have four sorts of deaths for malefactors, Ruth: stoning, burning, strangling, and slaying with the sword. Reconsider your words!” When Ruth said nothing, she went on, beseeching Ruth to see the many ways their people were different. “Our people are buried in houses of sepulchre.”
“Then let it be so for me as well, Mother.” Falling to her knees, Ruth wrapped her arms around Naomi’s waist. “I will die where you die and will be buried there.” When Naomi tried to press her back, Ruth clung more tightly. “And may the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!”
Weeping now, Naomi placed her hands on Ruth’s head and stroked her hair. Naomi looked up at the heavens. She had never hoped for this, never expected that this young Moabitess would be willing to give up everything in order to go with her. She looked down again, stroking Ruth’s head absently. “You will never see your mother and father and brothers and sisters again, Ruth. Do you realize that?”
“Yes.” Ruth raised her head. Her face was streaked with tears.
“Your life will be easier if you return.”
“Oh, Naomi, how can I go back to my old life when you hold the words of truth?” Her arms tightened again as she began to sob. “Please don’t plead with me to leave you. Don’t lead me into temptation. I’m going with you!”
“Your God will be my God.”
How could Naomi say no to such words? Hadn’t she prayed that Ruth’s heart would be softened toward the God of Israel? One prayer had been answered, one prayer among thousands. “Be at ease,” she said gently and loosened Ruth’s arms from around her waist. Cupping Ruth’s face, she smiled down at her. She smoothed away Ruth’s tears. “As God wills. Whatever comes, we’ll face together.”
Ruth’s eyes shone as she smiled in relief. “I will heed your every word, for I know you’ll teach me what I need to know.”
“Everything I learned at my mother’s knee I will make known to you. All I have is yours. I give it to you with pleasure.” For Naomi knew now there was more than marriage to her son that had grafted this girl into her life and heart. And now she would pray that Ruth would be grafted in among her people as well.
You have not forgotten me, Lord. You knew I couldn’t make it home alone. You have not abandoned me.
“Come,” Naomi said, taking Ruth’s hand and helping her up. “We must make a long journey before we reach home.”
* * *
Ruth didn’t dwell on what hardships she and Naomi might encounter when they reached Bethlehem. Each day of travel was enough trouble to bear without fearing what might come when they reached their destination. Ruth had lived in fear all during the months of Mahlon’s illness, and it had accomplished nothing. She’d loved her husband, but she couldn’t save him. All her efforts to make him better had failed, and the fear of losing him hadn’t prevented death from coming anyway. Nor had fear helped her face the difficulties of surviving without a man to provide for the household. After Mahlon’s death, she decided she would never again allow her mind to dwell on things beyond her control. The future was one of these things. She would face whatever came and do the best with whatever life God gave her.
Naomi often comforted her without even realizing it. “The Lord will take care of us,” she’d said last night, and Ruth had lain awake on the hard earth, staring up at the stars and thinking about those words. The Lord will take care of us. After all Naomi had suffered, she still clung to her faith. Ruth was comforted by Naomi’s strength. The Lord will take care of us. She chose to believe it because her mother-in-law said it was true.
From the time she had entered Mahlon’s home, Ruth had known there was something different about Naomi. First there was the outward sign: her clothing. Even after years of living among the Moabites, her mother-in-law continued to dress as a Hebrew. She didn’t do so with an air of pride, as though she was better than those living around her. It was simply who she was. Ruth had also seen her deep faith in God. At first, she’d worried that Naomi’s long silences meant she didn’t like Mahlon’s choice of a wife. But Mahlon had said that wasn’t so.
“She’s just praying,” Mahlon had told her with a shrug. “She’s done it for as long as I can remember. Don’t let it upset you. It doesn’t do any harm. Just ignore her.”
But Ruth hadn’t ignored her mother-in-law. She could see that prayer meant a great deal to Naomi, and Ruth wanted to understand more about it. So she had surreptitiously watched Naomi. Sometimes her mother-in-law would look so peaceful when she talked to her God, and at other times, anguished. Every morning, often at midday, and always during the evening hours, Naomi would draw her shawl over her head, sit in the corner of the house, and become still and quiet. Ruth asked her once what she prayed about, and Naomi had smiled and said, “Everything.” Her eyes had grown sad. “Mostly about my sons.” She’d reached out and put her hand over Ruth’s, her eyes softening. “And my daughters.”
The kind words had brought tears to Ruth’s eyes. Naomi’s good opinion had mattered very much, for Ruth admired her greatly. Naomi was kind and pleasant, fair in her division of chores, and she always worked as hard as everyone else. She loved both of her sons deeply and equally, and despite their cultural differences, she embraced Ruth and Orpah as daughters. Love was a gift Naomi had in abundance. And though Mahlon seemed unimpressed, Ruth sensed a deep, abiding knowledge and wisdom in her mother-in-law, knowledge and wisdom she longed to share.
Yet Ruth sensed her sorrow as well.
Naomi was never quite settled in Kir-hareseth, never quite at ease with the world around her. It had to do with her God. Ruth had been afraid to approach Naomi and talk with her about it. So she approached her husband instead.
Mahlon had never had much to say about the God of his people. In fact, he seemed to know very little about Him. “Why are you so interested in God?”
“Shouldn’t I be able to teach your sons about Him?”
“Teach them about Chemosh if it pleases you. It doesn’t matter to me. I’m sure my mother will teach them about Yahweh. The important thing is for them to be tolerant of all religions. That’s the only way they’re going to succeed in Kir-hareseth.”
In Mahlon’s eyes, one god was no better than any other, but Naomi could not compromise. She was respectful, never disdaining others’ beliefs, but she held to her faith in Yahweh with quiet tenacity.
Ruth looked at her mother-in-law now, curled on her side, her head resting on a stone for a pillow. She’d fallen asleep within minutes after eating the bread Ruth prepared for her. The sun was down and the air was cooling quickly. Ruth rose and carefully draped her shawl over Naomi. The journey was already very difficult for her mother-in-law. She had eaten very little during the weeks following Mahlon’s death. Ruth had feared that Naomi would waste away in grief. So she had prepared savory stews in an effort to entice her mother-in-law’s appetite. Now it was the physical exhaustion that dampened Naomi’s appetite. She was so tired after walking all day, she could barely keep her eyes open long enough to eat anything. It was strange, but Ruth felt as though they had traded positions. Naomi had become the child, and she the caring mother. “But I don’t mind,” she whispered, leaning down to kiss Naomi’s cheek. She smoothed the tendrils of black hair back from her mother-in-law’s sunburned brow.
Ruth rose and hugged her arms close to her body, shivering slightly. Mount Nebo stood in the distance. Naomi had told her this morning that Moses had gone up onto that mountain and died there after putting Joshua in charge of God’s people. They had crossed the Jordan River soon afterward and claimed Canaan. She loved it when Naomi talked about what God had done for the Hebrews. She felt a strange stirring within her as she learned of His mighty feats and His unfailing love.