Ruth 1:14

New International Version (NIV)

At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her.

For Meditation

Three widows at a crossroad! Only Naomi knew the Bethlehem road, but it had been some time since she traveled it with her late husband and two sons. For the two young widows with her, it was an adventure route. Ruth and Orpah did not know what to expect in Judah. They neither knew the road conditions nor the prospects Bethlehem held for them. Moab was all they knew; so why were they following Naomi?

The fact is that the three women shared a common story. Death’s icy hands had changed the trajectory of their lives with bitter experiences. They had bonded after their bereavements to make a living together; but life without their husbands may have proved burdensome in that culture. Fortunately, God had “come to the aid of His people by providing food for them” and they decided to take their chances in Bethlehem (Ruth 1:6). But, after Naomi convincingly opened the reality of their future with her to them, Ruth and Orpah had much to think about (11-13).

1. Should they or should they not continue the journey?
2. How could they live without their beloved mother-in-law?
3. How could they deal with not knowing how she was doing in Bethlehem?
4. Did she even get there safely – an old lady traveling by herself on a road that could be dangerous?

Saying goodbye to loved ones has never been easy. There is so much to miss and memories to live with. Imaginations could generate emotions that could be difficult to deal with sometimes, and regrets of what we failed to do or say could be torturous. All these could have played in the minds of Ruth and Orpah, so they wept together. It was difficult saying goodbye to their dead husbands, and now this. Orpah kissed Naomi goodbye, but Ruth couldn’t. She had bonded with Naomi in a new identity with the same destination, people, God, place of death and burial (11-18).

 Maybe you are about to say goodbye to a dear one who is traveling for a long time or re-locating. It may be a final goodbye after a difficult divorce case. You may even be dealing with a terminally ill family member or friend and dreading the day you would have to say “goodbye” for the last time. It may not be easy for you, I am sure, but you can deal with it in Jesus.

He experienced the pain of saying goodbye to his disciples. He knows how to help you deal with yours. “Do not let your hearts be troubled,” He told them in the Upper Room (Jn. 14:1). “I am going to prepare a place for you … I will come and get you … [to] where I am” (3-4 NLT). That’s our Savior’s comfort you can trust.

So: Be strong and courageous. It’s alright to cry through your goodbye. Christ could make you smile again. It could be a reunion sometime soon, either here on earth or yonder. Either way, may Christ comfort and keep you till that day.

Shalom