I love the story of Ruth, mostly because it’s predominately about two women, Ruth and Naomi. It’s a story about loss, loyalty, redemption and above all choices. Some are good while others have devastating consequences.
Elimelech’s choice
The book of Ruth begins with the story of a man by the name of Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their two sons Mahlon and Kilion. They make their home in the land of Judah. The problem was, there was a severe famine in Judah at the time and Elimelech had a decision to make. Should he stay in Judah and deal with the consequences of a famine or should he move elsewhere to find relief?
I’m not sure how many other plans Elimelech explored before he made the choice to relocate his family to Moab. It might not have been an easy decision to make but one he may have felt was the best, given the circumstances. He may have felt he had no other options. Had he known what we know, I’m not sure if he would have made that choice. Because in verse 3, we read that Elimelech died, leaving Naomi a widow. Elimelech escaped famine in Judah only to find death in Moab. This was certainly not part of the plan but it was reality.
And that’s one aspect of plans, we never really know how they will turn out. We can research and do everything in our power to make the best plans but there’s never any guarantee of success and Naomi learned this lesson the hard way.
Consequences
There’s no way of knowing if something happened in Moab that caused Elimilech’s death or if he would’ve died at the same time regardless of where he was living. In either case, Naomi was left to suffer the consequences of living life without her husband in a foreign land.
So what do we do when the plans we make don’t turn out the way we hoped? Do we continue to push forward or do we make new plans?
Naomi chose to stick with the plan and remained in Moab.
I’m not sure how long after the death of their father, Mahlon and Killion got married. The Bible doesn’t say anything but the fact they married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. Ten years later (and still no grandchildren), Noami suffers a double tragedy, both her boys die. Did they die on the same day? Did they die the same way their father did? I don’t know. But as a mother, reading that passage always makes me emotional. I can’t imagine the grief Naomi experienced losing both her children. That one choice to escape famine has now resulted in the death of all the men in Naomi’s life.
I wonder if she ever second-guessed the decision to move to Moab. Did she ever wish herself back in Judah enduring the famine together as a family? Did she ever look back and think hunger wasn’t so bad? Back then, famine seemed like the worst thing that could’ve happened but now she knows death is far worse.
Naomi’s choice
Naomi is now alone. Widowed, childless and living in a foreign land, she is at the end of herself. Then she hears the Lord has blessed Judah and a tiny spark of hope ignites in her heart. And she make another choice. She decides to return. After all, what is there in Moab for her but death and broken dreams.
Of the four people who made the original journey, Naomi is the only one to return. A fact I am sure she knows all too well. She is no longer the same woman who entered Moab. She is now but a shadow of herself.
The prodigal returns home
This part of Naomi’s story reminds me very much of the parable of the prodigal son who asked his father for his inheritance and left home to live the life he’s always imagined (Luke 15:11-32). But he squanders his dreams and plans with poor choices. Left with nothing but the clothes on his back and a pocket full of regret he also makes a choice. Embarrassed, ashamed, and regretful he decides to go home.
Naomi is in the same state of mind. She has lost everyone she treasured without even the comfort of grandchildren. Nor the hope of anyone carrying on the family name. Empty, broken and worn, she also makes a choice and decides to go home.
I think that’s the beauty of choices. No matter how terrible our plans turn out, we still chose how we react. And Naomi made the difficult choice of going back home. Of taking back her narrative, even if it was going to be hard.
So however your plans turn out, remember you still have a choice of how you’re going to react and what you’re going to do next.