In the beginning of the story of Ruth, we see three women with three perspectives. We see Naomi, weighed down by sorrow and loss–submissive under God’s hand, yet advising her daughters to turn back to their homeland which was filled with the darkness of empty gods.
We see Oprah, sorrowful during this time as well, and at first unwilling to leave. But she takes her mother-in-law’s advice.
And then we see Ruth.
A pillar of strength, because although sorrowful, her eyes are not focused on her immediate earthly wants. She takes a step of sacrifice that goes against the call of earthly desires and chooses the path of self-denial and ultimate joy.
She was not looking at her earthly circumstances, she was looking at God Himself.
“And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her. And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.
And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me.” Ruth 1:14-17
