A Heart of Kindness in Times of Loss
"And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me." - Ruth 1:8
In the book of Ruth, we encounter a profound moment filled with both sorrow and resilience. Naomi, a woman who has suffered great loss, utters a heartfelt farewell to her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth. The verse, "And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother’s house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me" (Ruth 1:8, KJV), offers a glimpse into the depth of Naomi's character and the intricacies of love and loyalty.
Naomi’s life had been marked by hardships. She had moved to Moab with her husband and sons in search of a better life, only to experience tragedy when her husband died, followed by the death of her sons. In her sorrow, Naomi remains a beacon of love. Her focus shifts from her own grief to the well-being of her daughters-in-law, embodying the selfless love that God calls all of us to exhibit.
When Naomi tells them to return to their mother’s houses, it is a bittersweet moment of letting go. It was customary in their culture for widows to seek comfort and support from their kin. Naomi's heart aches, not only for herself but for Ruth and Orpah, whom she can no longer care for as she once did. She understands that their future lies in the hands of their own families. In that sense, Naomi represents the unconditional love of a parent who desires the best for their children, even if it means separation.
Naomi's sincere blessing, "the LORD deal kindly with you," encapsulates her hope for their futures. The term "kindly" is derived from the Hebrew word "chesed," which denotes a profound covenantal kindness, loyalty, and love. It indicates that Naomi was not merely wishing them well. She was invoking the divine kindness of God upon them, the kind of love that transcends circumstances and offers hope.
John 15:13 reminds us, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (KJV). Naomi's desire for the girls to find solace and support highlights what Christian love should look like. Despite being enveloped in her own grief, she prioritized the welfare of those she loved, showcasing the true spirit of chesed.
In our lives, we often find ourselves in the shoes of Naomi, immersed in our struggles yet called to be a source of encouragement for others. There will be moments when we face incredible hardships—loss of loved ones, financial difficulties, or illness. However, even in these dark times, we are reminded to extend kindness and compassion to those around us. It can be as simple as offering a listening ear, providing a meal, or speaking a word of comfort, just as Naomi did.
As we reflect on this tender scene, let us examine our responses to suffering. Are we willing to step out of our own pain to uplift others? Are we able to bless those around us, even when we feel empty? Naomi’s words challenge us to embody kindness rather than wallow in our troubles. In doing this, we mirror the love of God, who continually acts for our good, as Ruth later demonstrates through her loyalty to Naomi.
Lastly, this passage teaches us about the importance of community and support in times of loss. Just as Naomi urges her daughters-in-law to return to their mothers, we should seek community in our times of need and encourage others to do the same. The journey of life does not mean we should walk alone, for God has designed us to interrelate and provide strength to one another.
In conclusion, let us earnestly seek to embody the kindness that Naomi extended, reminding ourselves of God's great love and covenant faithfulness. In moments of sorrow, may we learn to bless others, trusting that the Lord’s kindness will envelop us all.
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Ruth 1:8 - "And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me."
"And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me." - Ruth 1:8
Ruth 2:8 - "Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:"
Ruth 1:14 - "And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her."
Ruth 1:4 - "And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years."
ruth, the loyal daughter
Ruth 3:8 - "¶ And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet."
Ruth 1:22 - "So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Beth-lehem in the beginning of barley harvest."
Ruth 4:8 - "Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe."
Ruth 1:3 - "And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons."
Ruth 1:16 - "And Ruth said, 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 3:1 - "Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?"
"And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her." - Ruth 1:14
Ruth 1:10 - "And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people."
"Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:" - Ruth 2:8
Matthew 1:5 - "And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;"
"And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years." - Ruth 1:4
"¶ And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet." - Ruth 3:8
Ruth 1:18 - "When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her."
Ruth 1:5 - "And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband."
Ruth 2:1 - "And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz."
Ruth 1:20 - "And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me."
"So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Beth-lehem in the beginning of barley harvest." - Ruth 1:22
"Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe." - Ruth 4:8
Ruth 1:17 - "Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me."
Ruth 1:1 - "Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Beth-lehem-judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons."
Ruth 1:11 - "And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?"
Ruth 1:7 - "Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah."
Ruth 1:9 - "The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept."
Ruth 1:16-17 - "But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.""