05/25/26

Ruth 1:10-11 We have read that after they had begun their journey to Bethlehem, Naomi stopped at the border of Moab and Israel and told them, ” Why don’t you return to your parents’ homes instead of coming with me, and may He bless you with another happy marriage.” [Remember, this involved a journey of 50 to 75 miles of rugged terrain @ 18 miles per day = 7-10 days on foot. The route involved descending the Moabite plateau, crossing the Jordan River near the Dead Sea, and a steep 3,000 ft ascent to Bethlehem. It was at this point that she kissed them, and they all broke down and cried. But then, Naomi may not have been prepared for what the girls said next: “And they said to her, ‘Surely we will return with you to your people.’ But Naomi said, ‘Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Are there still sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?’”

These verses highlight a pivotal moment where shared grief transitions into a test of loyalty and a realistic “counting of the cost” for following God’s path. So, we see that after Naomi’s first attempt to send them back, both Orpah and Ruth initially respond with an emphatic, unified declaration of loyalty. This demonstrates the deep familial bond and affection formed during their ten years in Moab. Their intent to go to “your people” (Israel) signifies a willingness to abandon their Moab identity, culture, and security for a foreign land.

At this stage, both women are prepared to face an uncertain future out of love for Naomi. The Moabites were an ancient Semitic people inhabiting the fertile highlands east of the Dead Sea (modern-day Jordan). According to the Bible, they were descendants of Lot, Abraham’s nephew, making them distant cousins to the Israelites. They were frequent rivals and neighbors, often clashing with Israel while sharing a common language and a closely related culture. Yet it appears that while they declare they will “return” with Naomi, for these Moabite women, it is actually a journey toward a completely new life and, eventually, for Ruth, the worship of the one true God. 

But Ruth felt differently, so she insisted. “Turn back, my daughters, go—for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, if I should have a husband tonight and should also bear sons, would you wait for them till they were grown? Would you restrain yourselves from having husbands? No, my daughters, for it grieves me very much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord has gone out against me!” (vv. 12-13). Here, Naomi argues that staying with her is logically hopeless, as she cannot remarry and they cannot wait for nonexistent sons, ultimately attributing her intense bitterness to the Lord’s hand working against her. Naomi refers to the custom of levirate marriage in Deuteronomy 25:5-6. Since Naomi has no more sons, she argues that they have no prospects for future children or security.

As we can see, Naomi views her situation as desolate, having lost her husband and both sons in a foreign land. As such, these s represent a final effort to convince Ruth and Orpah to seek a better life in Moab, acting as a turning point that tests their commitment to her and the God of Israel. While Naomi no doubt sees herself as punished, the narrative highlights her trust in God, acknowledging His total control over her circumstances. Her harsh reality, however, sets the stage for God’s redemptive intervention through Ruth’s loyalty and the eventual provision of a new husband, Boaz.

What theological implications do we find in these verses? For believers, this passage powerfully illustrates the immense cost of following God, the beauty of sacrificial loyalty, and the difference between worldly security and spiritual faith, the choice between comfort and commitment. Ruth demonstrates true devotion by refusing to abandon Naomi, choosing faith in God over the familiarity of her homeland. It highlights choosing spiritual commitment over selfish, comfortable options and trusting God in bleak situations. These verses also highlight that in times of devastation and loss, faithfulness, hard work, and clinging to God-given relationships can lead to a new path of hope.