Ruth 1:1-9: a reflection

1In the days when the judges judged, there was a famine in the land. A certain man of Bethlehem Judah went to live in the country of Moab with his wife and his two sons. 2The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi. The names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Judah. They came into the country of Moab and lived there. 3Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left with her two sons. 4They took for themselves wives of the women of Moab. The name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other was Ruth. They lived there about ten years. 5Mahlon and Chilion both died, and the woman was bereaved of her two children and of her husband. 6Then she arose with her daughters-in-law, that she might return from the country of Moab; for she had heard in the country of Moab how the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread. 7She went out of the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her. They went on the way to return to the land of Judah. 8Naomi 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. 9May the LORD grant you 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.

The book of Ruth opens with a cascade of losses: a famine drives Naomi's family from home, and then, in a far country, her husband dies, and both her sons die, leaving her bereaved of husband and children alike. In the midst of this grief, Naomi hears that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread; and she arises to return home, turning back toward the LORD and his land even as she carries her losses. In the depth of her grief, she turns back toward God, hearing that he had come to his people's aid.

Notice what Naomi does in her grief: she turns back toward God and home. She had suffered devastating loss, husband and both sons; her grief was deep, and she would even call herself bitter. Yet in the midst of it, hearing that the LORD had visited his people, she arose to return, turning back toward the LORD and the land of his people. She did not, in her grief, turn away from God; she turned back toward him, drawn by the news that he had come to his people's aid. Her turning back was not a denial of her grief, but a turning toward God in the midst of it.

That is worth taking to heart, for in our own losses and grief, we too can turn back toward God rather than away. Loss and grief can drive us away from God, into bitterness and isolation; but Naomi, in the depth of her grief, turned back toward God and his people, drawn by news of his kindness. In our own grief, we can turn toward God rather than away, even carrying our losses with us. When you are in the midst of loss and grief, do not turn away from God into bitterness and isolation; turn back toward him, as Naomi arose to return when she heard the LORD had visited his people. Turn back toward God in the midst of your grief and loss, rather than away from him, as Naomi, bereaved of husband and sons, arose to return toward the LORD and his people; for in our grief God has not abandoned us, and we do well to turn back toward him, who visits his people with his kindness.

Lord, the book of Ruth opens with a cascade of losses: a famine drives Naomi's family from home, and then, in a far country, her husband dies, and both her sons die, leaving her bereaved of husband and children alike. In the midst of this grief, Naomi hears that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread; and she arises to return home, turning back toward you and your land even as she carries her losses. In the depth of her grief, she turns back toward you. Show me what Naomi does in her grief: she turns back toward you and home. She had suffered devastating loss; her grief was deep, and she would even call herself bitter. Yet in the midst of it, hearing that you had visited your people, she arose to return, turning back toward you and the land of your people. She did not, in her grief, turn away from you; she turned back toward you, drawn by the news that you had come to your people's aid. Take that to my heart, for in my own losses and grief, I too can turn back toward you rather than away. Loss and grief can drive me away from you, into bitterness and isolation; but Naomi, in the depth of her grief, turned back toward you. In my own grief, I can turn toward you rather than away, even carrying my losses with me. When I am in the midst of loss and grief, keep me from turning away from you into bitterness and isolation; help me turn back toward you, Lord, as Naomi arose to return when she heard you had visited your people.