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Mother's Day: we have different emotional
responses to Mother's Day, depending on our own mothers
and our experience of being a mother. Not all mothers,
but many godmothers, aunts, surrogate mothers … all
have had a mother. |
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My
mother: not a public person (Guides, Red Cross, SS
teacher, Elder). She created a home where we were always
welcome and to bring friends. Read to us, served us,
taught us her faith, shaped our lives. Unsung heroes. |
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History
records leaders, wars, heroes, public figures… |
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Society
applauds success, activity, leadership … |
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Ruth and
Naomi lived in a society where women were only ever known
as "wife of", daughter of", "sister
of" a man. So when all these men -- husband, father,
brother -- disappear, such a woman ceases to exist. Such
were Ruth and Naomi. |
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The
story: Elimelech, Naomi and 2 sons left Bethlehem in
Judah and became refugees in neighbouring foreign country
because of drought. (c/f. Sudanese refugees in Egypt).
The three men die, leaving Naomi and 2 daughter's in law.
Naomi returns home; drought has broken. Two daughters???
c/f. Palestinian working in Jerusalem; sons marry Jewish
girls. Would you take them back to Arab Palestine?
"Go and find security in marriage to Moabite
men." Orpah returns, but Ruth stays with Naomi. |
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The story
focuses around two vulnerable women. Yet this story is
included in Bible as part of God's Story. Ruth and Naomi
2 vulnerable women who were important to God.
Encouragement here for all women and men on Mother's Day. |
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Ruth
stayed with Naomi: |
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Where
you go, I will go … She commits to Naomi, like a
man commits to his wife in marriage. There is a deep
friendship here between these 2 women, in which they both
find strength for their life ahead. In this friendship
between Naomi and Ruth we see the real strength of both
of them emerge when they are no longer defined by a man.
These 2 vulnerable women cross the River Jordan in flood,
travel to Bethlehem alone and make a future for
themselves in the context of their society. |
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Your
people will be my people; where you die, I will die and
be buried there. |
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I come
from a family with a strong family heritage. Mother's
family for 3 generations all buried at Pinegrove.
Father's family for 3 generations all buried at Elmore. I
want to be buried with my parents. When you join our
family through marriage, would you want to be buried in
Elmore? If you do, it becomes a strong statement that
you're part of the Jones family! |
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Ruth a
Moabite, traditional enemies of Jews. She committing to
be part of this Jewish family. Women able to cross ethnic
/ cultural barriers. cf. Mother's Day began in America
after the Civil War with women from both sides of the war
working for "Peace". |
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Your
God will be my God … |
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What does
Ruth know of Naomi's God (Yahweh)? |
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The God
who has abandoned Naomi! Drought and death! Ruth
committing to a God without expecting material reward.
She has witnessed God's people suffer drought, be struck
down dead; Naomi left as a vulnerable widow. What is
there to be attracted to? |
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What she
knows is what is spoken out of Naomi's life. |
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How
does Naomi speak of her God? |
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Arrives
in Bethlehem: don't call me Naomi (pleasant) but Mara
(bitter) |
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The
Almighty has made my life very bitter |
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The
Lord has brought me back empty |
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The
Lord has afflicted me |
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The
Almighty has brought misfortune upon me. |
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What
would you find attractive in this, to draw you to say,
"Your God will be my God"? |
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Empty:
suffering, worn out (husband, 2 children (sons) dead, in
foreign country); vulnerable; failure as a woman. |
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Bitter:
bad taste; "I feel bad on inside." (Chinese
student describing homesickness). |
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God is
responsible! |
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Yet there
is something attractive about Naomi and her God! |
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- Essential person
is seen in suffering, when security stripped
away; how a person lives in crisis betrays who
they are deep on inside.
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- Naomi is honest,
transparent: Yahweh is central to her life. God
and life go together.
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- In midst of
incredible suffering and vulnerability, Naomi is
placing herself in the safety in God's care.
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- Psalm 91.2 He
alone is my refuge, my place of safety.
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- He is my God, and
I am trusting in Him.
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- Iain: "You
sent me to school with no lunch!" Lunch
made, but he forgot to collect off bench. Can
blame me because he knows I love him, will
forgive his mistakes, will look after him (large
afternoon tea).
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- Naomi can blame
God because she is part of his family. God is
like a caring, loving mother. A grieving,
struggling widow is important to Him. She has a
relationship with her creator!
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- Ruth is
attracted to Naomi's God. Naomi has pointed
Ruth to God whilst she has been at her lowest,
most vulnerable, because she has trusted herself
to God. Naomi has acted (unknowingly?) as Ruth's
mentor. Other people (younger), our children look
to us to see how we live in times of crisis.
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- As the story
unfolds, Naomi's bitterness is transformed into
sweetness. What has brought about the change?
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- God has, by
being Who He is.
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- God is the God
who:
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- Gives hope:
the drought is over. They arrive in Bethlehem at
Barley harvest. Hope that future can be better.
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- Cares for the
needy by providing His rules for life: caring
for widows (needy). Law provides food for needy
through gleaning.
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- Cares for the
stranger in His laws.. Ruth is included in
the community.
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- Cares for the
childless widow in His law: Kinsman -Redeemer
When widow left with no sons, closest relative
marries her to provide for her.
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- Is at work behind
the scenes: sovereign. 2.3 Ruth went to
glean; As it turned out she found herself
gleaning in the field of Boaz, one of Naomi's
kinsmen.
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- Boaz was a
godly man who looked after Ruth, married her and
they had a son.
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- Marriage:
Ruth is connected.
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- Son: Naomi
has a descendent to inherit her husband's land.
(women do not own property).
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- This descendant
(Obed) became the grandfather of King David
(history is about Kings)
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- Points forward to Jesus,
who is a descendent of King David.
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- God loved the
world so much that he sent his only son, Jesus
into the world so that everyone who believes in
him will not die, but will have life for ever and
ever with Him in heaven.
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- This is God's
purpose: to create a people for himself. And
Jesus is the one who makes that possible. He
knows us, forgives us, and will judge us.
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- Ruth and Naomi,
2 vulnerable widows, one an immigrant, were part
of God's story in history.
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- We too can be
part of God's story -- He invites us to be
part of it.
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- Naomi: in
suffering, emptiness knew God as her heavenly
Father; the safe, trusting relationship to be in.
He wasn't going to die. She could trust herself
to him.
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- Ruth: an outsider,
saw the faith of Naomi and she wanted it too.
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These
were ordinary women in crisis, who were special to God |
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Naomi:
lived her life, taking God at his word. In doing so, she
pointed Ruth to her God. |
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Ruth:
a migrant widow who joined the people of God and became a
lynch pin in God's story. |
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Are
you a Naomi? Seeking to live as a Christian, thus
pointing the way for others: children, parents, friends,
siblings. |
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Are
you a Ruth? Wanting to become one of God's people, to
know there is a safe place, a safe person with whom you
can find shelter. |
