Ruth 1:6-14 Ruth’s Loyalty to Naomi
6 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the fields of Moab that the Lord had visited his people and given them food. 7 So she set out from the place where she was with her two daughters-in-law, and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah. 8 But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “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. 9 The Lord grant that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband!” Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept.10 And they said to her, “No, we will return with you to your people.” 11 But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Have I yet sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? 12 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, 13 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.” 14 Then they lifted up their voices and wept again. And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.
SOAP: Ruth 1:8
Even in her bitterness, Naomi speaks a blessing over her two daughters-in-law. She prays that their lives will turn around and that God will extend grace to them because of their kindness toward her family. The word “kindly” here in the original Hebrew is “hesed,” which implies that a powerful person is merciful to someone weaker. This kindness is not out of duty, but springs up from a faithful love. The word “hesed” is a theme that threads throughout the book of Ruth, so keep an eye out for it.
God has extended His kindness to us, and the story of Ruth is going to display how He is at work in every single detail of our lives. He longs to bless us, and today, He is Providentially at work orchestrating details behind the scenes.
Ruth was kind to Naomi, and God noticed that. Today you may think that God is not noticing the little things that you selflessly do to encourage others, but He never misses a thing. His “hesed” is heading your way.
Lord, thank You for extending Your grace to us. Help us to be mindful of opportunities to be kind to the people in our circle of influence today. May we share Your “hesed” with the hurting and bless their day. Amen.