THE GOD OF HOPE

By Aalie

"Turn back, my daughters, go--for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, if I should have a husband tonight and should also bear sons, would you wait for them till they were grown? Would you restrain yourselves from having husbands? No, my daughters; for it grieves me very much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD has gone out against me!"  Ruth 1:12-13 NKJV

We know the story well how that Naomi's daughters-in-law insisted on returning with her to Bethlehem, Judah. This is were she and her husband Elimelech and their two sons were from. They had went to the land of Moab because there was a famine in their land. There the sons married Moabite girls, Ruth and Orpah. Naomi's husband and two sons died there, after having lived there about 10 years. 

Naomi heard that things where better in their home country, that God has visited there. This tells me that the countries that are doing well have the blessing of God upon them. (Read Ruth 1:6) It expresses both that God has poured out His blessing, or could also mean his disciline as in (Ex.20:5). Naomi called her daughters-in-law together with her and told them to go back to their families in Moab, as she was going to return to her homeland, where her relatives and friends were.

Naomi's daughters-in-law insisted on returning with her. In response, Naomi pointed out that she could not provide husbands for them and expressed concern for their happiness. It was the custom that a widow would marry the brother of the deceased. Naomi was also a widow and not very likely would find another husband at her age and than produce more sons for her widowed daughters-in-law, nor would it be likely that they would wait that long either. Naomi expressed concern for their happiness. Her love for them is evidenced by the use of the personal words "my daughters" Naomi was bitter that she was without husband and sons and attributed her circumstances to God's discipline/ (1:13)

In 1:14 the responses of Orpah and Ruth are contrasted. Orpah did the expected thing and returned home. Yet Ruth unexpectedly stayed with her impoverished mother-in-law. Though understandable, Orpah's action meant that she had left the Israelites and their God. On the other hand, Ruth's action brought her into the Messiah's family line (4:18-22).

Naomi  had no hope of having more sons for her daughters-in -law. But what might have been considered hopelessness, God turned around for those whose faith was in Him. There is hope today for all who put their trust in Him. And follow His ways.

May God bless the reading of His Word today. In Jesus name Amen.