Have you ever read the book of Ruth in the Old Testament? If you haven't, you should. It's only four chapters and an easy read. Every time I read it, it gives me chills for so many different reasons. The one that I want to discuss today is the situation with Naomi's two widowed daughter-in-laws who took two very different paths following the death of their husbands. Their decision that needed to be made wasn't an easy one. Due to Naomi's age and her inability to bear more sons for them to marry, she implored them both to go back home to their mother's house. Orpah chose to go back to what was familiar and familial, while Ruth chose to never look back. Ruth 1:14 says, " Then they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her." Naomi tried to convince Ruth not follow her in Ruth 1:15 by saying, "Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in law." But Ruth was resilient and focused on the future. In fact Ruth's response was, " where ever you go, I will go; where ever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God". Because Ruth chose to cling to a new hope and return to Bethlehem with Naomi, she met and married Boaz after their relocation. She and Boaz bore a son named Obed. Obed was the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of David. Thus, Ruth found herself in the lineage of Jesus Christ our Lord. So, ask yourself this question: Is what you are clinging to going to send you back to what is familiar, or forward and potentially change your life for generations to come?
Bridgett Belsky
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