Truths from Ruth: Part 1

Caring for the Widows

 As I dived into the first chapter of Ruth, I picked up on something I never have before. Have you ever experienced one of those illuminating moments? Those moments when you read a passage of Scripture a number of times, but each time you read it, you get something new out of it. I love these  moments because it just reassures me that my God is ALIVE and working His way in my life. His Word is not dead, but is quick, powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword.

As I read Ruth chapter one, I realized that not only was Naomi a widow but also her two daughter-in-laws, Ruth and Orpah. These ladies had lost their husbands during the time of famine - probably the time they need their husbands most.  One thing that widows today struggle with at times is facing economic hardship.

I realized as I continued to read the passage that there came a time in these woman's  lives that they would depart. Naomi told Ruth and Orpah to  depart from her and move on with their lives. However, at first, they both persisted that they stay with her. Again, Naomi told them both to go their way. Finally Orpah gave into Naomi and  returned unto her people and her gods. I love what Ruth says next. Ruth 1:16-17 says, "And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me." Ruth was determined to stay with Naomi in her distress. She was willing to give everything up to follow her. Are we willing to give up everything to follow God? I also would like to think Naomi gave them a chance for her daughter-in-laws to depart either because she was testing their faithfulness to her or she did not want to be a burden to them. Whatever the case, Ruth was a faithful daughter-in-law to Naomi. Often times widows get the vibe that they are somehow being a burden to us when the exact opposite is taking place. They are being a tremendous blessing to us!  Make sure you make them realize your faithfulness to them just like Ruth did in verses 16-17.

Have you ever wondered what your name means? I have!  By studying his passage, I became interested in finding out the significance of Ruth's and Orpah's name. To my surprise, Ruth's name means "lovely friend", and Orpah's name means "back of the neck." Ruth was indeed a lovely friend and daughter-in-law to Naomi. On the contrary, Orpah turned her back on Naomi. When you stay in the center of God's will, you will be blessed, but the moment you turn your back on God is the moment your life will get messed up. However, God won't turn His back on you for He is always there. It is us that choose to walk away from Him. So,what do people think about when people dwell on your name?  Isn't that thought provoking!

Another thing widows deal with is loneliness, and I honestly believe Ruth understood loneliness because she was a widow herself. Sometimes you do not know what someone is going through until you go through the exact same thing. It is then that you can relate to someone else's struggle.
My favorite verse I try to live out in my life is found in James 1:27 which parallels this passage perfectly. It says, "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." Although this verse has three truths to it, it is evident that we ought to care for the widows around us. So, what are we doing to demonstrate love to the widows that were placed so strategically in our lives?
God gives you a chance to reach out to the widows, but His will will be done either way. Psalm 146:9 says, "The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down." Are you going to let the Lord turn you upside down before you dare to reach your hand out to a widow? I would hope that it would not have to go that far. Let us look to Ruth's example as she cared for her widow in her life - Naomi- as we look for the opportunities to reach out to the widows that surround us.