Circumstantial decisions.

Day 6

Ruth 1:6

“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.”


Not so long ago, I saw a friend lose her beloved husband of many years. To see them together was a blessing. Then one day, he was gone. She is a determined woman, so she got herself together and moved on. But I know that the hole he left could never be filled.

Being a widow was hard in biblical times. In fact, it was the worst not to have the protection of a man. But here they are, not one, but three widows in the same family. A curse? Perhaps. I can picture them walking to the fields together, holding hands, to gather grain in the fields of Moab. I can also picture Naomi, all alone, no husband, no sons, no future, and now more than ever, yearning for home.

This verse is very much a parallel to the parable of the prodigal son that Jesus told, except that, this time, it is the prodigal daughter. “How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger”. So just like Naomi, he arose and started his journey home.

Two phrases jump out of the text: She arose…because she heard. Faith comes by hearing. Naomi heard, and that was her decisive moment, her #getittogethergirl from the Holy Spirit. At that point, when she heard, faith came; she was reminded of who she was, and whose she was, and where she belonged. God had visited his people with bread, and here she was, still in Moab. Why?

Where are you? Disobedience brings famine. Faith brings an abundance of bread. Have you been suffering from spiritual famine because of disobedience? Are you ready to get up and return home? Naomi arose. The prodigal son arose. They both made their way home. Will you? Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. The word of God is the bread of life. Don’t go hungry. #getittogethergirl. Will you return to your Fathers house?

Father, I hear your voice calling me back to you. Whether I totally strayed away from you, or I just let my human feelings take the best of me for a moment, I want to go home and eat from the abundance of bread that is in your house. In Jesus’ name, amen.

My reflections:

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28

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