Trust Like Ruth
Naomi and her husband Elimelech lived in Bethlehem with their two sons. Due to a famine in the land they travel to Moab seeking work and the means to support their family. While there, both sons marry Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth. Then, over a period of years, both sons and Elimelech die. Naomi, Orpah and Ruth are devastated, as would be any in their circumstances. Naomi wants to return to Bethlehem where things have improved, and probably seeking the comfort of familiarity. She tells both her daughters-in-law that they are free to go. Orpah tearfully chooses to leave. Ruth issues this famous decree to Naomi: "Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.” Ruth 1:16 Thy God shall be my God. The Moabites worshiped a god called Chemosh and their rituals included human sacrifi...