Lessons in isolation: Naomi and Ruth

Lessons in isolation: Naomi and Ruth

Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel! And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him”(Ruth 4:14-15).

The story of the Book of Ruth is told within the framework of four decisions. Elimelech made the first decision. He left Bethlehem to escape the famine in Israel. This grave error of judgement cost him his life and that of his two sons. It made three women widows, and it left his wife, Naomi, alone and isolated in a foreign country.

Naomi made the second decision: to return home to Bethlehem. That decision revealed the complete devotion of her daughter-in-law, Ruth. There must have been something remarkable about the character and faith of Naomi. Ruth observed Naomi as she lived in a strange land and endured a life of intense sadness. It produced in Ruth love, faithfulness and a willingness to leave her country and her people. Ruth put herself into isolation in Israel to provide for Naomi.

The third decision was Ruth’s determination to work: “Let me go into the field and glean” (Ruth 2:2). Her works expressed her faith. Her brightness and energy immediately attracted Boaz to her. He tells her she had come under the protection of the wings of the God of Israel (Ruth 2:12).

Boaz took the final decision. It was the decision to redeem Elimelech’s land and to make Ruth his wife. God, in a remarkable display of grace, brought blessing out of the bitterness of the enforced isolation of Naomi and the willing isolation of Ruth. He formed a new family, blessed Naomi and prepared the way for the birth of Israel’s greatest king, David. In doing so, He teaches us some valuable lessons about the pathway of faith.

Elimelech is a warning to us not to allow difficult circumstances to drive us away from the blessing of God. They should always lead us to the Throne of Grace. In the presence of God, a couple make a joint decision at the start of marriage. It is to be faithful to each other for the rest of their lives. To stay together, we should make every other decision in the same way.

Naomi teaches us it is never too late to return to the Lord and discover He can restore the years we think are wasted: “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten” (Joel 2:25). Ruth shows us that God always responds to our faith and desire to follow His will:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes.” (Proverbs 3:5-7)

Finally, Boaz illustrates that the Lord Jesus, our Redeemer, saves us and keeps us. We are brought beneath His mighty wings and nothing can isolate us from His love.

“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).