Go, return each of you to her mother’s house. May the LORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. The LORD grant that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband!
Ruth 1:8-9
The book of Ruth is a love story. As events unfold in these ordinary lives, we will see three distinguishing marks of genuine love. First, we see that love considers.
Naomi had moved to Moab, but she never really belonged there. So, when she heard that the famine in Bethlehem was over, she wanted to head back home. Ruth and Naomi decided to go with her (1:7).
But at some point, they stopped, and we come to this moving scene: Naomi tells her daughters-in-law that they should go back. Orpah kisses Naomi and returns to her home. Ruth clings to Naomi and continues on in the journey.
Naomi is often criticised for what she says here. Was she abandoning her daughters-in-law to idols? Here are four reasons to believe that Naomi’s words were a genuine expression of love.
Love seeks the blessing of God on others. Naomi’s words are a prayer of blessing. She wants them to know God’s kindness and to enjoy His peace.
Love puts the interests of others above its own. If Naomi had been thinking about her own interests, she would have done all that she could to keep Ruth and Orpah with her.
Love never forces its will on another person. Naomi was the matriarch of this family, and she could have imposed her will if she had wanted to. But she wants the women to make their own decision, free from obligation.
Love is candid about the cost of commitment. Naomi said, “Turn back… Have I yet sons in my womb that they may become your husbands?” (1:11). If Ruth and Orpah continue on in this journey, their odds of finding another husband are slim.
Reflect on the ways Jesus demonstrated these four marks of genuine love for us.
