Ruth Moab Pt 3
It is time to leave Moab behind. Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah set out together. Orpah turns back as told to, but Ruth refuses to leave Naomi.
I hope you are enjoying Ruth’s story. I know I am. Today, I’m borrowing from what I had already told of her story the last time we went through it. Even though I didn’t write it today, I believe the Spirit is allowing me to use it. He authored it.
We cannot think less of Orpah for returning to her own people. Naomi was right in sending her home. Previously, we saw little of Orpah’s family, but Naomi was confident they would take her back. In our story, Ruth didn’t have true family to return to. I don’t know if this was true or not, but Ruth chose Naomi over her own people. She was faithful to Naomi.
♥ ♦ ♥
It has been almost nine months since Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah buried Mahlon and Chilion. Their funds have stretched as far as they can. They are nearing the end of their resources. Grief is still ever present in their humble home; especially on the shoulders of Naomi.
“Good morning, Ima” Ruth quietly says as she takes Naomi’s hand, urging her from her bed. “It looks like it is going to be another warm day. Would you like to sit outside and enjoy the breeze before it gets too hot?”
Naomi doesn’t have the will to get up but knows it is impossible to resist Ruth’s loving prodding. “She is such a wonderful daughter. If only… No. I can’t go there today” thinks Naomi.
Orpah is preparing a simple porridge for their morning meal. It is more water than wheat but it is what they have. She has to make it last. She saves what flour she can for baking bread. She trusts that Naomi will have an answer for them as to what to do next. They just have to be patient while Naomi grieves. Orpah and Ruth are grieving too but nothing like Naomi.
Ruth brings Naomi to the table and gives Orpha a smile. One that embraces Orpah’s heart and makes it just a little bit lighter. Today is a ‘good day’ as Naomi spoons her own porridge into her mouth. There are days when she is not even able to do this.
After the meal is finished Orpah washes the dishes while Ruth fetches water for the morning. Orpah doesn’t have Ruth’s gift of gab for keeping Naomi’s mind occupied to divert it from her pain so the sound of washing up is the only sound heard in Ruth’s absence.
When Ruth returns, she has a quiet song on her lips. She puts her jars down and comes to Naomi’s side. “Would you like a bath this morning Ima? We could do your hair is a nice new braid before joining the sun on its journey this morning.”
Naomi nods her approval. Ruth readies the wash basin and a stool by the table for washing up. It will take much of the water she has just fetched to wash Naomi’s hair but that is of little consequence. This is the first time in weeks Naomi has consented to this ministration. Ruth will bathe her here because Naomi won’t venture to the bath house or the river.
Love fills Orpah’s heart as she watches Ruth gently washing Naomi’s long hair in their basin. Ruth is humming as she works and Naomi’s face is free of the pain she has been wearing since the death of her sons, Ruth and Orpah’s husbands, Chilion and Mahlon. Orpah continues with the task of straightening up the home after the night’s rest. She also puts out clean garments for Naomi for after her ‘bath.’
Ruth finishes with Naomi’s hair and fills the basin once again with fresh water. She washes Naomi with a cloth, being careful to protect her dignity by averting her eyes at the appropriate times while continuing to hum softly a soothing song of praise Naomi taught her years ago.
Once clean, dressed and hair again in a thick braid coiled around her head, Naomi looks refreshed. Her face is not as drawn as it has been in past days. Ruth can almost imagine a slight smile resting on her lips. Naomi rises easily from her stool as Ruth takes her hand and leads her into the garden. They sit together and watch the people walking by, the children in the street, and anything else that happens to cross their way.
Ruth knows she has tasks she needs to attend to, like refilling the water jars, but being with Naomi right now is more important. After an hour outside with Ruth quietly commenting on the activity around them Naomi reaches out and takes Ruth’s hand.
“Thank You daughter for this beautiful morning. I’d like to sit here a while longer on my own.”
“Are you sure Ima? It’s no trouble sitting with you. I can be quiet if that is what you need too.”
“No. You have brought peace to me with your kindnesses this morning and I have felt lifted by your company. But I want to sit here for a while and don’t want to take up any more of your time. I know you have things you want to do.”
“Being with you here is more important. The other things can wait.”
“I don’t think Orpah would agree if there is no water for her midday cooking.”
Ruth is happy to see a smile, not of her imagination, on Naomi’s lips. “As you wish Ima” she replies with a smile of her own. “I will check on you when I get back with the water to see if you are ready to go back inside.”
Ruth decides to fill all the water jars now to give Naomi time to enjoy the sunshine. Her mood seems much improved since coming out of the house.
Naomi realizes it is time to plan for her family’s future. She has allowed her grief to paralyze her and her daughters. She can’t let it go on, but what can she do? This is what occupies her mind while Ruth fills the water jars and Orpah tends to the few animals they have.
It has been a week since Ruth had to coax Naomi out of bed each morning. She still wears her grief about her as one wears a favorite cloak. That ‘cloak’ has become so much a part of her day that she has difficulty remembering a time she wasn’t under its covering. She has learned to walk again under its weight, all be it a little slower and with head hung lower.
During this week Naomi has endeavored to help more with the chores around the home and interact with her daughters. Food for this little family has been an issue but the kindness of some of their neighbors has kept them from starvation. Ruth and Orpah have occasionally accompanied some of the other women into the fields to gather the leavings after the harvest. It isn’t much but it is what they have.
In the evenings Ruth likes to share what she has gleaned in knowledge from the fields with Naomi. Tonight, while Orpah is washing up after their meager meal, Ruth regales Naomi with news of Israel while brushing and braiding Naomi’s hair. Ruth loves doing this task with Naomi each night. It brings both of them comfort. Ruth also knows that news of Israel is Naomi’s favorite subject and since the news is good, she hopes it will lift Naomi even farther from her grief.
“I heard some wonderful news in the field today, Ima.”
“What is it my daughter?”
“I heard that the Lord has given Israel rest from the famine. It is said the fields are again blessed by Him and producing abundantly!”
“That IS good news my daughter. How is it you came about this information? Is it a source you can trust?”
“I overheard the master of the field and the overseer speaking as I and the other women were gleaning near them. The master was saying that the he would have to look for new markets for his grain as Israel is once again able to supply their own people’s needs. The overseer was offering him possible alternatives. I was discrete while I listened so I don’t believe I was observed.”
“Thank you daughter for bringing this joy to my ears and heart.”
Naomi quietly thinks about what this change could mean to her and her little family. “I could go back to my family. Surely it would better for me to die among my own people than to live out my days in this foreign land.”
During the next morning’s meal Naomi addresses her daughters. “My daughters, you know the hardships that brought Elimelech and I to this land. How we stayed here and built a life for our sons. How all three of them have been carried away to their ancestors. And how we struggle for our very survival.”
Both women nod their heads. Ruth wants to speak and tell Naomi that all will be well if they just hold fast. Naomi sees Ruth’s chest swell, taking in breath she will need for her reply, and with a raised hand signals to Ruth to hold her answer a little longer.
“I feel it is time for me to return to my home. I know you have many questions and I can’t tell you exactly what will become of each of us, but I have family in Israel that I feel confident that they will welcome me home.”
“When will we leave Ima?” asks Ruth.
“I want to leave on the first day of the new week. We need to seek a caravan that is traveling that way. I don’t know if we will be able to pay the price to travel with them but at least we can travel alongside them. I’m sure they would lend protection if the need arose.”
The new week dawns in three days so Orpah and Ruth double their efforts in gleaning as food will be needed for this journey. Naomi searches her possessions for anything of value that she can sell or trade to secure them a place in the caravan. She has a few keepsakes that Elimelech gave her as a new bride and when each of her sons were born. They are not of great value to anyone but her, yet they may bring enough to meet their travel needs.
Naomi must be selective in who she asks to assist her in securing passage for herself and her daughter’s-in-law. She needs someone who can be trusted to bargain fairly for her. One of her friends has been especially kind to the three women. She is the one who arranged for Ruth and Orpah to glean with her daughter. Naomi will ask her to speak on behalf of them with the next caravan heading in their direction.
The next two days pass in a blur of activity. The three women prepare what food they have gathered into meals that can be easily carried on their journey. Several of their friends have given a little of their pantries to see the women safely on their journey. The house is cleaned and set in order for its new tenants. And Naomi is due to meet with her friend this evening regarding passage with the caravan.
That evening, the husband of Naomi’s friend gives her the news. “I’m sorry Naomi. I did all I could but there just wasn’t enough. The man has agreed that you can follow them and he will allow you to sleep within the confines of their camp at night, but that is all I could arrange.”
“Thank you for your help. It is what it is. It will be enough.” Naomi was hoping for more but was expecting news such as this. At least they would be safe in the nights. The Lord would have to see to their safety during the day and help them keep up, as this group was under no obligation to wait for them should they fall behind.
The Sabbath starts that evening so preparations come to a halt. Naomi’s family had observed the Sabbath each week, even in Moab, and she had taught her daughters-in-law to do the same. There is nothing left to do but gather their bundles on the morning after the Sabbath and leave. All is as ready as it can be when they retire to their pallets that night.
Before first light Naomi and her daughters are tying their bundles and taking one last look around the house, in case they have missed something. They have to leave early to make it to the caravan shelter before it sets off.
Naomi’s heart is heavy. She has been wrestling with thoughts of her daughters’ futures. “I have nothing to offer them. They have no future with me. I cannot provide them with husbands or children. I love them with all my soul and will probably perish of grief once they are gone, but how can I ask them to forsake any future they have on my account?” Naomi’s footsteps slow and finally stop. She has made up her mind. “For their sake, I HAVE to send them away.”
Ruth and Orpah keep pace with Naomi but when she stops, they are concerned. “Is there something wrong Ima? Did we forget something?” Orpah asks.
The early light allows Ruth to notice the wetness of Naomi’s cheeks. “Are you in pain Ima?”
“Yes my daughters something is wrong and I am in pain.”
“What can we do to help” asks Orpah.
“You can do me a great honor. I want each of you to return to your mother’s house. There is no future for you with me. ‘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’ (Ruth 1:8).”
“NO Ima! Don’t send us away!” cry both women at the same instant. They drop their bundles and wrap Naomi in their embrace. “We will return with you to your people” (Ruth 1:10b).
Naomi is very touched by their love, but she has made up her mind. It is for their sakes that she does this. “’Turn back, my daughters; go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, even if I should have a husband this night and should bear sons, would you therefore wait till they were grown? Would you therefore refrain from marrying? No, my daughters, for it is exceedingly bitter to me for your sake that the hand of the Lord has gone out against me.’ (Ruth 1:12-13). Do not ask me to carry the burden of your ruined futures along with my own.”
Tears run freely down the faces of all three women. Orpah hears the words of Naomi and recognizes the truth and love in them. There is no future for her if she remains. She must think of her own future now. “I Love you Ima. I will do as you have asked.” With a heavy heart she kisses Naomi one last time, gathers her bundle from where she laid it. She reached in and removed the food from her pack and passed it to Naomi. “This will help you stay strong on your journey.”
Naomi watches as Orpah walks away. She is sad but also hopeful. “This is best. Orpah deserves a future” thinks Naomi. She then turns to Ruth. “You too must leave daughter. I will miss you but this is best for you too.”
Ruth takes Naomi’s hands in hers. “I will not leave you Ima, for you ARE my mother. I have never known love until you showed it to me. I have never belonged until you took me to your heart. So ‘where you go I will go, where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you’ (Ruth 1:16-17).”
Tears again stream from Naomi’s eyes. She moves Ruth’s hands to her mouth and kisses them then embraces her. When the embrace ends Naomi says, “Gather your things. We must hurry.” They quickly set off to reach the caravan before it leaves to their new home.
Once they reach the caravan stand Naomi enquirers as to which man is leading the caravan to Bethlehem. A man is pointed out to her and she is told to hurry as he is preparing to depart any minute. She approaches him and waits. He is speaking with his drovers and directing them as to their assignments for the day. When he finishes, he sees Naomi and Ruth standing and watching him.
“How may I be of service?” he asks.
“I was told that you are leading a caravan to Bethlehem and that you have contracted with the husband of my friend to let us accompany you and sleep within the confines of your camp at night.”
“You must be the widow, Naomi. Yes, I spoke with your friend. I thought there were to be three of you traveling near us. We are leaving soon and I don’t have time to wait for the other to join you.”
“There has been a change in plan and there are only the two of us.”
“It is not safe for such a small group to travel without protection. The money you paid is sufficient for two travelers to join our ranks. I cannot offer more than a donkey for the two of you but you will be safer than simply following us.”
“This would be greatly appreciated kind sir! We will endeavor to be of no burden to you. If we can offer services in preparing meals or watering the animals, we would be glad to offer it as additional payment for your kindness.”
“I accept your offer. We will see as the journey progresses what needs may arise.” The man whistles to one of his drovers who immediately comes to join the group. “See that these women are provided a donkey. They will be traveling with us. I entrust their safety to you.”
“As you wish my lord.” He turns to Naomi and Ruth and offers a slight bow. “This way please ladies. I have just the donkey for you.”
Naomi and Ruth fall in behind him and make their way through the groups getting ready for departure.
The donkey Naomi and Ruth receive for their journey is a gentle soul. He is well accustomed to these journeys as he has served in this caravan since his birth. He is skilled at carrying burdens of all kinds, including passengers. He can’t carry both of the women but carrying one will prove no problem to him.
Ruth greets him with a smile and a stroke of his head. “Hello my friend. We have a long journey before us. I trust you know the way and will lead us safely there. We promise to take good care of you and trust you to do the same for us.”
Naomi watches the exchange between Ruth and the donkey with a smile. She and Ruth strap their bundles onto the donkey with the tether he wears around his middle. Just as they are finishing up, they hear the caravan leader.
“Form Up! We are moving out!”
They are on their way. Naomi and Ruth take one last look around them as they pass out of the city. Both wonder what lays ahead for them. Naomi feels the pull of home but carries the emptiness of the losses she has suffered since leaving there ten years ago. She expects no future at the end of this journey; only a closing of her life. To Ruth everything is new. She holds no expectations beyond being at Naomi’s side until death. Funny thing is, even with low expectations on both their parts they can’t help but feel a little excited as they begin this journey.
The first day Naomi walks beside Ruth while the donkey carries their bundles. They talk of the sights they pass. The pace is reasonable because of the size of the caravan requires more time than individual travel would but the distance covered feels relentless. By the time they stop for the night Naomi is beyond exhausted. She doesn’t voice this but Ruth sees it in her steps and her face.
Ruth insists on caring for their animal herself after she settles Naomi on her bundle. She takes it to the area where the animals are gathered for the night. The animals are gathered near the water source that provides for the caravan’s needs as well. “I will see you in the morning my friend. I’m going to ask you to carry Naomi tomorrow. I trust this will not be a problem for you. She is lite and should not overburden you.” She ends her talk with the donkey and gives him water and grain from the stores for the animals. “I will be back later to brush you. But I must tend to my Ima now.”
One of the drovers watches as Ruth gently speaks with her donkey. “He suits you Miss? I can see to his care for you” he offers.
“Thank you. I appreciate your help. I will feed, water and brush him but I can’t stand watch over him in the night. I entrust him into your hands during this time.”
“I won’t fail you; or him” he says with a smile.
Ruth nods and bows slightly as she turns to her next task. She quickly fills both her and Naomi’s water skins before leaving the drover to his duties. The drover watches her go and thinks that this is one lucky donkey.
Back at their place in the caravan Naomi has fallen asleep while sitting on her bundle. Ruth quickly unties her bundle and spreads a blanket for Naomi. She also unpacks a simple meal for both of them. Ruth rouses Naomi and encourages her to eat for she will need it for strength tomorrow. Naomi eats the bread and dried dates Ruth offers her and washes it down with the water she brought back. Finally, Ruth settles Naomi on her blanket and heads back over to finish her care of their donkey.
As Ruth is brushing their donkey, she is softly humming to him. The drover smiles each time he looks her way while. “Like I thought; one LUCKY donkey!” Ruth finishes her ministrations of the donkey and turns her steps back to Naomi and sleep. As she passes the drover he speaks to her.
“You care well for your animal but while on the trail we don’t usually brush them every night. You may spoil him” he says with a smile.
“A little extra love never spoiled anything and I am simply showing him how grateful I am for his help. He is a fine donkey and he has a lot of work ahead of him.”
Ruth opens Naomi’s bundle and retrieves a blanket for herself and settles in beside her for the night. Tomorrow is not far off and she too will need her rest to face it.
As the sky is just beginning to open itself to the possibility of morning the drover’s voices rouse the sleeping members of the caravan. Everyone needs to rise so that they can eat, repack their bedding, gather their animals, and be ready to move out as the sun breaks the horizon.
Coordinated chaos fills the morning as the caravan prepares to leave. Ruth brings their donkey to where Naomi waits with their bundles. Before Naomi can tie her bundle to the donkey Ruth puts a hand on her arm. “You must ride today, Ima. I will carry the bundles.”
“I will walk with you.”
“No Ima. I see the pain in your eyes and the stiff movements of your steps this morning. You need to rest. Our strong donkey will carry you today.”
Naomi sees the determination in Ruth’s eyes and doesn’t argue. She shakes her head in resignation and climbs onto the donkey’s back, with Ruth’s help. Ruth ties the two bundles together and they are ready as the caravan surges forward for the day. Ruth walks beside the donkey which carries Naomi.
When the caravan stops briefly for the midday meal Naomi alights from the donkey with great pleasure. “My feet may be spared the journey’s trials but my backside certainly isn’t” she says with a laugh and a groan.
Ruth laughs too. “Maybe I can make you a more comfortable seat with one of the bundles.” Naomi nods her approval. While Ruth sets about arranging and tying the softest parts of her bundle onto the donkey’s back Naomi gathers their midday meal. They are both fed and the new seat ready in time for the drovers call to move out.
The end of the second day finds Naomi and Ruth in better spirits. Naomi’s seat has been successful in making her backside stop protesting. The lightening of Ruth’s bundles has helped her step stay strong all day. Ruth helps Naomi down from the donkey and they prepare for their night time rituals.
“I will prepare the meal while you tend to the donkey. I have enough strength tonight to be of use” Naomi says with a smile.
“Thank you Ima. I am glad you are feeling better tonight. I will return as soon as I’m finished.” Ruth takes the donkey’s bridal and heads towards the animal’s pen. “You hear that my friend? You did very well today. I will give you an extra handful of grain for all your hard work. I will also brush you before I return so you don’t have to wait.”
After caring for their animal, entrusting it to the drover and refilling their water skins Ruth returns to Naomi. Their evening meal is waiting when she gets there. They settle down together to eat. “You didn’t have to wait on me Ima. You could have eaten while I was caring for the donkey.”
“I wanted to wait. Besides, I needed something to wash it down with” Naomi says while picking up her water skin.
“Oh. I’m sorry. I should have brought the water back first.”
“No my daughter. I was only teasing you. I truly wanted to wait for you.”
They eat and then retire for the night. Another day awaits.
The arrangement worked out well for the rest of the journey. Naomi rode the donkey on the seat Ruth created for her and Ruth walked beside her carrying their remaining bundle. Occasionally Naomi would walk with Ruth for a while just to stretch her legs.
As the days stretched on, they talked of the scenery they passed, what Bethlehem is like, and what awaited them. Sometimes one of the other members of the caravan walked with them and they shared stories of their lives and journeys. The closer they get to their final destination though the quieter Naomi gets. She is thinking of the path her life has taken. She is looking forward to being home but not the homecoming itself.
Nearly three weeks later Naomi and Ruth departed the caravan at Bethlehem. The caravan had trading business with the town so they were brought right into Naomi’s home town. Before leaving the caravan, Ruth and Naomi thanked all those who had helped them on their journey, including their donkey.
“Thank you my fine friend” Ruth intoned as she stroked his head.
The caravan master laughed as he watched Ruth with the donkey. “I think he is going to miss you very much! Now he has to go back to the life of a regular caravan animal instead of all the extra attention he received.”
“Thank you my lord for the use of such a fine animal. He has made our journey much easier” said Naomi.
As Ruth and Naomi are saying their good-byes to the caravan a buzz begins to build in the city. Naomi’s presence had not gone unnoticed. Word quickly spread about her arrival. Questions abounded too as none could spot Elimelech or her sons among those who had arrived.
Ruth and Naomi leave the caravan stand and are making their way through Bethlehem’s center when they feel eyes following them. They look around and notice people staring. Some of them are whispering to one another. One group of women is emboldened and approaches our two new arrivals.
“Is this Naomi?”(Ruth 1:19b). This is said by the leader of the group as they near Naomi and Ruth.
“Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty” (Ruth 1:20-21a).
Ruth’s eyes fill with tears as she bears witness to her mother’s pain. She has lost a husband but her mother-in-law has lost much more. She had hoped that Naomi’s grief would have lessened, but this welcome seems to have brought it all back to the surface. She must be careful it doesn’t drown her again in its weight.
“Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?” (Rith 1: 21b).
With these words spoken in the hearing of all who watched, Naomi takes Ruth’s hand and leads her out of the city. They come to the home Naomi hasn’t seen in more than ten years. Her home. The one she and Elimelech made a life together in. The one she birthed her children in. It stands as empty and broken as she feels. There is much work to be done to make it a home for the two women.
“This is it my daughter” says Naomi as she stands and stares at the changes ten years have made in the house she once called home.
Ruth surveys it with different eyes than Naomi does. Where Naomi sees the ghosts of the past, Ruth sees the promise of the future. Ruth makes mental notes of what needs repair, what materials are available, and where to START. “May I open the shutters mother to air it out?”
Naomi just nods. Ruth opens the door, removes the bars from the shutters and opens every window in the house. She finds a stool, dusts it off and brings it to Naomi to sit upon.
“Let me just sweep the inside quickly while you rest here Ima.” Again Naomi just nods.
Ruth sets about sweeping the cobwebs down and the piles of dirt on the floor. She removes the coverings from the few items of furniture that remained in the house. She is careful in her tasks but also hurries because she wants to present Naomi with a sense of home again as soon as possible. Partway through the process Naomi joins her.
Together they finish cleaning their home. The place where they will make their new future. Ruth knows she will have to be the one to carry them forward in the beginning. Naomi’s strength has waned over their journey and especially as she faced those who once knew her. Her cloak of grief, which was put away for much of their journey, is once again firmly in place about her.
Ruth continues her list as they settle in for the night. Two things of importance are food and water. She will address these both in the morning. For now, they have the little that remains from their stores from their journey. “Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” thinks Ruth as she settles her mind and slips off into sleep.
(to be continued)
Naomi and Ruth are not well of at all. They have a place to live but little else. More than anything else, they have love. And they have the Lord.
Father God, thank You for the love of my family. I know my mother would have been in my life. She has been, and always will be. I can’t imagine not having my family in my life. I have my in-law family in my life too. Thank You for their support too.
