Don't Be Distracted By The Love Story

In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a severe famine came upon the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah left his home and went to live in the country of Moab, taking his wife and two sons with him. The man’s name was Elimelech, and his wife was Naomi. Their two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in the land of Judah. And when they reached Moab, they settled there.Then Elimelech died, and Naomi was left with her two sons. The two sons married Moabite women. One married a woman named Orpah, and the other a woman named Ruth. But about ten years later, both Mahlon and Kilion died. This left Naomi alone, without her two sons or her husband. [Ruth 1.1-5] 

Because of our distraction with the love story of Ruth's life, we have overlooked some important facts in it. These facts do not change the story, but they give more depth of meaning and more continuity with the whole Bible. That depth of meaning has everything to do with idolatry and God's instructions about it.

First, it was a diluting move of fear, not faith, that led Elimelech to move to Moab. Rather than trust God alone to meet his family's needs, Elimelech moved to Moab, a land well-known for its idolatry. Elimelech's move ignored Israel's painful history with Moab:

While the Israelites were camped at Acacia Grove, some of the men defiled themselves by having sexual relations with local Moabite women. These women invited them to attend sacrifices to their gods, so the Israelites feasted with them and worshiped the gods of Moab. In this way, Israel joined in the worship of Baal of Peor, causing the LORD’s anger to blaze against his people. The LORD issued the following command to Moses: “Seize all the ringleaders and execute them before the LORD in broad daylight, so his fierce anger will turn away from the people of Israel.” So Moses ordered Israel’s judges, “Each of you must put to death the men under your authority who have joined in worshiping Baal of Peor.” [Numbers 25.1-5]

In short, Elimelech's move set him in opposition to God. Allowing his sons then, to marry Moabite women, put them in harm's way as well. To assume the deaths of Elimelech and his two sons were just 'bad luck' is blatant disregard for Numbers 25.1-5. 

Naomi must have recognized the dilution she and Elimelech had allowed because when she decided to return to Judah, she attempted to separate herself from Orpah and Ruth:

But on the way, Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back to your mothers’ homes. 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.” Then she kissed them good-bye, and they all broke down and wept. “No,” they said. “We want to go with you to your people.” But Naomi replied, “Why should you go on with me? 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 even 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 raised his fist against me.” [Ruth 1.8-13]

While it seems over-dramatic that Naomi said God had raised His fist against her, she was not wrong. She repeated this conviction again later:

I went away full, but the LORD has brought me home empty. Why call me Naomi when the LORD has caused me to suffer and the Almighty has sent such tragedy upon me?” [Ruth 1.21] 

It is highly significant then that Orpah returned to her people but Ruth did not. Both women made a conscious decision: one to return to Moab and its gods, and one to reject Moab and its gods to follow the LORD. 

And again they wept together, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye. But Ruth clung tightly to Naomi. “Look,” Naomi said to her, “your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods. You should do the same.” But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!” When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she said nothing more. [Ruth 1.14-18]

So, finally, Ruth made the conscious decision to give up idolatry and follow God. THIS IS HUGE! AND, it points us right to Jesus. It was Ruth's known testimony of giving up her way and following God (the God of Naomi) that caught the eye of Boaz. Boaz married Ruth and, through the bloodline of their offspring, the Messiah of the world is identified!  And, what did He, the Messiah of the world say?

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]

That is exactly what Ruth did. She forsook idolatry. She declared God alone as her God. That is how Jesus was seen in her. And, that is how Jesus will be seen in us. 

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. [John 14.12]

It is pure futility to expect Christ to be seen in us as long as we have not forsaken all other gods - the idols that promise us better life, but that only bring death and destruction.

Father in heaven, the depth of Ruth's story is a testimony of Your Almighty existence. I should not be surprised to find the reference to idolatry in Ruth, but I have been blinded by idolatry and the religion that shelters it, and have only just now seen it. May I be found trustworthy with this revelation and, like Naomi, affect a rejection of idolatry and more importantly, a return to You. So be it.