May 2010 – Ruth 1:6-13

“May the LORD deal kindly with you.”  Ruth 1:8

So she (Naomi) departed from the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah.   And 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.  May the LORD grant that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband.” Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept.  And they said to her, “No, but we will surely return with you to your people.”  But Naomi said, “Return, my daughters. Why should you go with me? Have I yet sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?  Return, my daughters! Go, for I am too old to have a husband. If I said I have hope, if I should even have a husband tonight and also bear sons, would you therefore wait until they were grown? Would you therefore refrain from marrying? No, my daughters; for it is harder for me than for you, for the hand of the LORD has gone forth against me. Ruth 1:7-13

We left off our last study with the knowledge that no matter how far into Moab we find ourselves, God will always draw us back.  As Naomi’s heart returns to her God, we move into the next stage of the book of Ruth.  In just a few short words in verse 8 – “May the LORD deal kindly with you” we see the beckoning of the LORD towards those who answer His offer of comfort and hope.

We see in the coming passages the choices of three widows –

1. Naomi – returning to Bethlehem – an image of returning to the LORD -  to pick-up where she left off many years earlier.
2. Orpah – returning to Moab – an image of returning to the world, and never being heard of again.
3. Ruth – leaving the world, returning with Naomi and receiving God’s salvation.  Ruth is not only remembered through scripture but is part of the lineage of Christ!

We begin with Naomi.

We sometimes either forget or perhaps are even aware that we can bless others – that we can give a blessing to others.  “May the LORD deal kindly with you.”  Our words have the ability to hurt or to heal, to give pain or blessing.

When Naomi speaks this loving blessing upon Ruth and Orpah – “May the LORD deal kindly with you” – her use of the word kindlykindness she speaks, i.e. in Hebrew hesed of God, a characteristic of God Himself.  Hesed is not just something God does or something He exhibits.

It is Who He is.

Certainly there are times when life doesn’t feel kind – but regardless of our circumstances, God’s character remains unchanged.  More so, when our own sin or poor choices lead us away from God’s plans, reliance on His hesed may be all we have left; and as Naomi is drawn to return to the LORD, she is drawn to the very characteristic of God – ultimately to her salvation and Ruth’s!

Ruth 2:20 speaks of the LORD “whose loving-kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead”.  This kindness is closely related to the covenant between God and man, in which we see God’s gracious approach to sinful man.

Later in Ruth 3:10 when Boaz said, “May you be blessed of the LORD, my daughter. You have shown your last kindness to be better than the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich”, it is Ruth who is said to have shown this kindness.

When such love and faithfulness is demonstrated in personal relationships, the LORD is at work.

“You have led in Your steadfast love [hesed] the people whom You have redeemed.” Exodus 15:13

“Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His steadfast love [lovingkindness, hesed] to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments.” Deuteronomy 7:9

This word, “kindness”, is a word which includes the warmth of God’s fellowship as well as the security of His faithfulness.  Those who have experienced the LORD’s hesed are transformed by it, and so show this quality of love to others.

Naomi had a memory of it and needed to get back to it.  Sometimes when we are so far from God, all that will make a difference in our next choice is the memory of His faithfulness from former years.  Sometimes His promise of faithfulness is all that we may have.  Either way, Naomi’s strong desire, her need, was to return to Bethlehem to the place where she was certain of security of the LORD’s faithfulness.  Her urgency was evident and she would not be held back any further.

Naomi’s life is an illustration for all of us in any circumstance.  Whether we have been the author of our suffering or whether we are in a season of hardship not of our doing, turning to Christ for his comfort and security is ultimately the only answer.

I pray you will be comforted by Naomi’s life.  Her very hardship was not overlooked by God.  Indeed He never took her from His sights.  Such love and grace and kindness from our heavenly Father cannot be overlooked.

“In Your lovingkindness You have led the people whom You have redeemed. Exodus 15:13

Whoever is wise will observe these things, and they will understand the lovingkindness of the LORD. Psalm 107:43

Romans 2:4 “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forebearance and longsuffering not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance.”

Dear LORD – Thank you for Your hesed.  I pray that as I am drawn to You, I will see the way back to the security and hope that only comes from you.  In Jesus name I pray.  Amen

If you do not have access to a Bible, you can access the Bible online at the following link:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ruth%201&version=NASB

This link will take you directly to Ruth Chapter 1.  If you want to go to the next chapter, just type in Ruth 2 in the passage lookup link towards the top of the page and you can go to the next chapter, and so on.  You can also change the translation – by scrolling through the translations at the drop-down box to the right of the passage lookup link.  This translation is New American Standard.