Bible Society of South Africa
Xanthe Hancox

Friendship – Day 4

Ruth and Naomi – Ruth’s sacrificial loyalty

Se(di)ngolwa (t)sa Bibele

RUTHE 1

16Empa Ruthe a re: “O se ke wa nqobella hore ke kgaohane le wena, kapa hore ke se ke ka tsamaya le wena, hobane

“moo o yang teng

ke tla ya teng,

moo o phelang teng

ke tla phela teng;

tjhaba sa heno

e be tjhaba sa heso,

Modimo wa hao

e be Modimo wa ka.

17Moo o tla shwela teng

ke tla shwela teng,

mme ke tla epelwa hona teng.

Morena a nkahlole ka ho fetisa

ha re ka arohanngwa ke ho hong,

haese ke lefu.”

18Ha Naomi a bona hore Ruthe o tsitlellela ho tsamaya le yena, a se ke a hlola a re letho ho yena.

RUTHE 1:16-18SSO89SOBula ka mmadi wa Bibele

These days, most anecdotes about mothers-in-law are far from positive! There are jokes and stories about putting up with someone because you have to, and certainly not going out of your way because you want to. In this beautiful expression of devotion and loyalty to Naomi, Ruth’s attitude to her mother-in-law is very different. Her loyalty to Naomi goes far beyond what is required of her as a relative by marriage.

Naomi has given Ruth a get-out-of-jail-free card. She could do what Orpah did and go back to her own people, without anyone thinking badly of her. However, Ruth’s love for Naomi and her God refuses to let her turn her back on her mother-in-law.

Perhaps, Ruth imagines how difficult the ten years in Moab have been for Naomi. She realises that her mother-in-law has spent a decade away from home, a stranger in a strange land now grieving the loss of her husband and sons. Ruth knows that if she stays with Naomi, the tables will be turned – she will be a stranger, she will be the one leaving her people. Nevertheless, she does not budge. She is willing to go through the same hardships that Naomi went through, to share in her suffering and grief. It is also clear that Ruth had come to love Naomi’s God and she abandons the Moabite gods for the true God.

Bible Society of South Africav.4.25.3
RE FUMANE HO