And again, they wept together, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye. But Ruth clung tightly to Naomi.

Ruth 1:14

For Meditation

Clung! 

Note the strength of the word. Merriam-Webster defines its present tense as “to hold or hold on tightly or tenaciously” or “to have a strong emotional attachment or dependence.”

Why do you think Ruth clung to Naomi that way? The person who brought them together was dead, and they had no children. Ruth had no obligation to commit her life to old Naomi, a foreigner. After all, she had done her best by living with Naomi after her son, who was Ruth’s husband, died. So, if Naomi was leaving town, why not let her take her “bad luck” away and free herself for an opportunity with another man of her kindred? As Naomi herself said, she was too old to have another baby, but Ruth was young and had her full life before her. But Ruth will have nothing of Naomi’s analysis of their contrasting situations. She held on firmly to Naomi and pledged her life to her mother-in-law (Ruth 1:16-18). What had she seen in Naomi, and what was the old woman’s testimony to Ruth? What is your testimony to those around you? 

 But there is also another lesson in this story. It is in how our lives bless us if we live to touch other lives. Naomi had touched the life of Ruth, and through her, God blessed Naomi. She regained recognition in Bethlehem and among her people. And more than that gained a place in the lineage of the Messiah (18-22). God established the kingship of Israel through David, her great-grandson. It was through him the eternal kingship of God got ushered in.

 Are you living to bless your life through the life of others you selflessly touch?