RUTH

I like Ruth.

Ruth of the Bible I mean.

Re-read that story again. Below is a brief summary.

For their sin, God had punished the children of Israel with famine. Elimelech and Naomi migrated to Moab with their two children, Mahlon and Chillion. Within a few years, Elimelech died. Of course, like all migrants, there is certainly every reason to believe that the family of Elimelech didn’t enjoy a cozy stay at Moab.

It was to this same unfortunate family that Ruth and Oprah married. As though God was not done with punishing the family, Mahlon and Chilion died too. Naomi was the sole survivor in the whole family, she renamed herself “Mara”-life was too bitter for her. She had all the evidence to that. What more could happen to prove to her that her life was the most miserable on the earth? 

Nothing.

Photo by Christopher Sardegna on Unsplash

As would be expected from an old widow, Naomi decided to go back home (Israel) and waste away. It is better to die at home-“home is where you scratch where it itches the most”. Do not forget that there was nothing at home. The home was the place they ran away from a few years back. She was returning home empty-handed. There was no plan as to how she will settle when she got home, and perhaps there was no one else who will help her when she arrived. In fact, we can say there was no home in the sense of a house, food, and security. Do not also forget that there was no Telegram, Facebook, WhatsApp or email to drop a message that she will be arriving soon. Practically, Naomi was going to Israel to face an almost hopeless future.

You know the crazy thing? It was this hopeless situation that Ruth wanted to fall into, willingly.  In fact, compulsorily.

Ruth had watched her father in law die, she saw her husband die and she watched her brother in law die but Ruth still wanted to stay with this family. Ruth wanted to serve. Naomi chased her away but no, women like Ruth don’t take no for an answer. Oprah turned back, and it is worth repeating that Oprah was not a bad person. Oprah is simply a logical, ordinary and normal person. She did what we should all do. She did what I would have done if I were in her position. But Ruth…. She did the extraordinary thing.

She went further, she went beyond where ordinary people stop. She wanted to do more for Naomi. She wanted to live with Naomi, stay with Naomi’s people, get Naomi’s God and die with Naomi.

Ruth is an extra mile goer.

Now, when you’re reading the genealogy of Jesus, you’ll find the mention of Ruth as the only woman in the list. Matthew 1:5.

History always has a soft spot for those who go the extra mile.