Ruth 1:8 

New International Version (NIV)

Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home. May the Lord show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me.

For Meditation

In the scripture for today, Naomi confronts her two daughters-in-law with a reality check that reveals their hearts.

The three women have lost the men in their lives, Somehow, they have managed to suffer through their ordeal by living together. But now, news about God’s visitation to Judah has reached Naomi, and she decides to return home. Orpah and Ruth decide to travel back with Naomi, and the three women “set out on the road that would lead them to Judah” (Ruth 1:7).

What is their real motive for deciding to return with Naomi to Bethlehem? Is it because they really love and care for her welfare? Are they willing to sacrifice their future for the old woman? Won’t they love to re-marry and have children? Have they carefully thought through their decision?

Naomi wants to be sure they know what they are doing, so she raises an impossible scenario about remarriage through her and brings their minds around the reality of their current situation (11-13). Orpah gets the point, kisses Naomi, and returns to her people. Ruth, however, is determined, so she clings to Naomi (14). It’s not about her marriage. It’s a confluence of the two women’s interests and love for God that would flow together into the ocean of eternity in Christ Jesus.

1. Have you committed so firmly to a walk with Jesus?
2. Have you considered the cost of discipleship (Lk.14:28-30)?
3. Are you willing to offer yourself as a living sacrifice to Him (Rm. 12:1-2)?
4. Is that your life with Him now?
5. Are you a Ruth or an Orpah?

I pray you remember that “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:21).

So, may you treasure heaven, so that your heart will be steadfastly committed to Jesus in everything; and may you enjoy the blessings Ruth inherited in Christ for eternity.

Shalom