The mothers of Jesus: Ruth

Ruth 1:6-17, 4:13-17 ESV

Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the fields of Moab that the Lord had visited his people and given them food. So she set out from the place where she was with her two daughters-in-law, and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah. But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “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!” Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept. And they said to her, “No, we will return with you to your people.” But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Have I yet sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? Turn back, my daughters; go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, even if I should have a husband this night and should bear sons, would you therefore wait till they were grown? Would you therefore refrain from marrying? No, my daughters, for it is exceedingly bitter to me for your sake that the hand of the Lord has gone out against me.” Then they lifted up their voices and wept again. And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.  And she said, “See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.”

So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her, and the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord , who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse. And the women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Rev. David Skinner

What is it that you do? Here in the States, people want to know what you do. It is a large part of how people see you. For the Hebrews, they looked at genealogy. They didn't look at what you did, but rather your ancestors. It is rare for women to be listed in genealogy. But Jesus' ancestry makes reference to unusual women. Women of ill repute. From foreign women  to prostitutes. These are not your typical matriarchs.

The bitterness of Naomi

Naomi goes out to Moab with his husband and her two sons. Her husband passes away. She is left with two sons. They get married to some local moabite women, but they also die. The women are all left widowed. Naomi is left widowed and without any means of support in a foreign land among a foreign people. She tells people to call her Mara, meaning bitter. God has done this to her. She accuses Him of bringing this calamity upon her.

Ruth, the faithful one

Ruth is often overlooked here. But consider the faith of Ruth, she is refusing Naomi's offer to send them back to their families. Ruth is leaving behind a solid chance of remarriage and her family. She commits to going to Bethlehem with Naomi. Ruth has to become the breadwinner. She goes out to glean. But this is especially dangerous, since the Hebrews have a hatred for Moabites. She has no promise for protection or food or shelter.

Boaz

He is the kinsman redeemer. He has the right to purchase ancestral lands and property. He goes out of his way to protect and provide for Ruth. He must also have been surprised by the actions of Ruth to provide for her mother-in-law, Naomi.

Sacrificial love has great impact

Ruth and Orpah both love their mother in law. But only one of them willingly sacrifices their life for Naomi. Orpah turns back to her father's family and her people. Ruth is willing to sacrifice her safety, her comfort, the support of her family and her people. Naomi rebuffs the initial offer of support from her daughters in law. She's considering their comfort and lives above her own. Boaz gives up part of his reputation and resources to marry this foreign woman and redeem MoabiteNaomi cannot see the faithfulness of God

Ruth is the embodiment of the grace and love of God. Naomi may know God is good, but not existentially. We can picture as Naomi says that God has left her empty... Ruth in the background, clearing her throat. Has God really left Naomi empty?

Love breaks traditional and racial boundaries/divides

Ruth is a Moabite. She marries an Israelite. Interracial marriage... just asking for trouble, right? Blood is thicker than water... why are you moving away from your family and her people, Ruth? Ruth, a widowed foreign daughter in law, is better than seven sons... really?