A Wonderful alegory of the Plan of Salvation

PART ONE

The book of Ruth, the Moabitess, is a wonderful allegory of the plan of salvation, but it also entails a great lesson on how our faith can be tested.

The story takes place in the time of the judges. We can read about this time in Judges 21:25, “In those days [there was] no king in Israel: every man did [that which was] right in his own eyes.” Adultery, idolatry and apostasy from the faith prevailed all over; there existed absolute anarchy and lawlessness.

The book of Ruth begins, “Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land.” (Ruth 1:1) Famine is one of the three methods God uses to call His people to repentance, as we read in 2 Samuel 24:12, 13, “Go and say unto David, Thus saith the Lord, I offer thee three [things]; choose thee one of them, that I may [do it] unto thee. So Gad came to David, and told him, and said unto him, Shall seven years of famine come unto thee in thy land? or wilt thou flee three months before thine enemies, while they pursue thee? or that there be three days’ pestilence in thy land” now advise, and see what answer I shall return to him that sent me.? The Lord gives His people three tough lessons: famine, persecution and pestilence; surely a very hard choice. In this case, the Lord does not ask them what they prefer, but He sends a famine.

“And a certain man of Bethlehem Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. And the name of the man [was] Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.” (Ruth 1:1, 2)

Moab was not far from Bethlehem. It was on the other bank of the Jordan. The Moabites were related to the Israelites, since Moab was the result of the incest between Lot and his daughter. There was a law in Israel that up to the tenth generation the Moabites could not be part of the people of God. The god of the Moabites was Chemoch to whom human sacrifices were brought. The Moabites had also tried to bribe a prophet from Israel, Balaam, to curse God’s people. This is the country Elimelech, whose name means “my God is king”, chose to go and live, in order to escape God’s corrective lesson to His people. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, the city where the Redeemer of the world, according to prophecy, was supposed to be born, “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, [though] thou be little among the thousands of Judah, [yet] out of thee shall he come forth unto me [that is] to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth [have been] from of old, from everlasting.” (Micah 5:2).

Ephrata means fruitful place and Bethlehem- house of bread.

None of the blessings we have should be taken for granted. Let us be thankful for what God, in His grace, gives us today and be ready to accept anything that may come with a thankful heart. Job gives us an example with his attitude toward misfortune: “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21)

God had brought a test upon His people and this family tries to flee from it. They set their material needs above their spiritual principles and went to dwell in the enemy’s territory- a pagan country, in order to survive. But what happens? “And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. 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. And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.” (Ruth 1:3-5)

What they feared would happen due to the famine in their own land happened to them in the land of plenty. Our life does not depend merely on bread. Now Naomi is left alone with her two daughters-in-law, who do not know the living God. What loneliness and pain! What can she do? “Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread.” (Ruth 1:6) Is it only bread what motivates Naomi to move?

“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 1:7)

It seems that Naomi’s daughters-in-law are closer to her than to their own families. There is something in Naomi that they do not find in their own people and in their religion. Surely Naomi had spoken to them about her God and her people. She led a completely different kind of life from the rest of the inhabitants of Moab, so the young women’s spirit was awoken to another kind of hunger: for spiritual food.

“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. 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. And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people. 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? Turn again, my daughters, go [your way]; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say, I have hope, [if] I should have a husband also to night, and should also bear sons; Would ye tarry for them till they were grown” would ye stay for them from having husbands” nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me.” (Ruth 1:13-18) The many experiences in a foreign country have not helped Naomi to be a spiritual believer. She thinks of the material condition of her daughters-in-law; they should remarry and it is better for them to find a man among their people, even if he is a pagan. What a testimony does Naomi give about her own God? “The hand of the Lord is gone out against me.” He is a punishing God who oppresses His children. Naomi does not take upon herself the responsibilities of her own decisions, but accuses God.

“And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.” (Ruth 1:14) Orpah is weak and since she does not find any support or encouragement in her mother-in-law, she follows her advice and remains in Moab.

So Naomi says to Ruth, “Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.” (Ruth 1:15) In other words, “Go back to worship Chemoch- there is no difference between your god and mine.” Do not many believers think the same today? It does not seem to be the Holy Spirit that is the One to inspire the words of Naomi.

“And Ruth said, Entreat 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: 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 1:16, 17)

But the Holy Spirit is surely and steadily working in the heart of Ruth and she is convinced that in Israel the thirst of her soul will be quenched. “Thy people shall be my people and thy God my God.” She is ready to leave everything behind in order to know the true God and to serve Him: her country, her family, her tradition and her chance of ever getting married again. Jesus said, “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. ” (Matthew 19:29)

Ruth knows in her heart that her loss can only be a gain.

“When she (Naomi) saw that she was steadfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.” (Ruth 1:18) Steadfastly-minded! What an important trait of character! She knows what she wants and is determined to obtain it.

“So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that, and they said, [Is] this Naomi” And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home again empty: why [then] call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me”” (Ruth 1:19-21)

Many people have survived the famine; they went through the trial with faith and made great experiences with God who preserved their lives.

” All the city was moved about them.” The people of God are a large family and whenever someone is away the other ones do not forget him, they miss him and think and pray for him. There is great joy among the people of Bethlehem to see Naomi coming back. Instead of taking part in this joy and of praising the Lord who has protected her along the way and brought her safely back, Naomi complains and expresses all her bitterness. She is to be called Mara ” Bitterness, instead of Naomi, Lovely. Naomi is a typical pessimist and can see nothing good in her life experience. Once again, everything is God’s fault. We can see in Naomi no new birth to a spiritual life in the Lord. A person who thinks only in material things and benefits and is focused only on herself and her own family has no room for the Lord in her heart.

But, have we maybe judged Naomi and her family too hard? Could it not be that this family was an instrument in God?s hands to bring Ruth out of that pagan country and set her free from her tradition and false belief? How could otherwise this sincere soul that longed for the knowledge of the living God come in contact with His people?

It can be that Elimelech, whose name was “my God is king”, was inspired by His Lord to make that move. A whole family can be a wonderful testimony of the true God in a heathen land just by living according to the principles of heaven. Is that not also our mission, to be a light in this dark world? It is certainly our privilege. The children of God who are instruments of His grace are used by Him to be a blessing wherever they may be sent: like Joseph was in the land of Egypt, Daniel in Babylon, the young girls in Assyria, at Naaman?s home, and Jesus Christ in the world.

No, Naomi could not have been such a carnal believer otherwise she would not have had such an influence upon her daughters-in-law. Could it not be that when she told them to go back to their people and their god she was trying their faith and their real interest in knowing the true God?

When Bartimeus, the blind man from Jericho, heard that Jesus was going by, he called, “Thou, son of David, have mercy on me”, but Jesus did not stop. The multitude that followed Jesus rebuked him and told him to shut up, but the poor blind man, who knew what he wanted and that this might be his only chance, screamed at the top of his voice; “Thou, son of David, have mercy on me.” Only then did Jesus stop and he was healed. The blind man’s faith had been tried and he passed the test.

The Canaanite woman, who came to Jesus when He visited Tyre and Sidon, said to Him: “Have mercy on me, O Lord, [thou] son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.” (Matthew 15:22, 23) Does Jesus reject anyone who comes to him in search of help? No, He does not, but He tries his faith, his desire to be set free, to be cleansed and redeemed. That is why He says, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (15.24) Does the woman now go away convinced that she has no right? No, she falls at Jesus” feet and says, “Lord, help me.” Does Jesus’ heart melt and immediately respond to her plea? No, the test continues, “It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and cast [it] to dogs.” (15:26) What an offence! Does the woman go away hurt and angry? No, she believes Jesus is the loving, merciful and almighty Son of God and she says, “Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” Jesus then answers, “O woman, great [is] thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt.”

Now let us see Naomi not as a simple person, but as God’s instrument.

“Go, return each to her mother’s house” The Lord grant you that ye may find rest, each [of you] in the house of her husband.” (Ruth 1:8, 9)

The two young women cry; they do not want to go back. Naomi emphasizes that she cannot give them a husband and they will remain widows all their lives. She wants something better for them. Orpah is finally convinced that it will be a great loss to go to Bethlehem, but Ruth insists she still wants to go.

“Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.” (Ruth1:15) In other words, “you will be the only Moabitess among us, a foreigner, all alone. Follow the example of your sister in law.”

Ruth, who had no roots on this world, says, totally determined, “thy people [shall be] my people, and thy God my God.” (Ruth 1:16) What can Naomi say about Ruth? The same thing Jesus said about the Canaanite woman, “O woman, great [is] thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt.”

The seed of the Gospel is sown on many types of grounds, “And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture? They on the rock [are they], which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. ” (Luke 8:6,13) Is this not the case of Orpah? The dialogue with Naomi was this “time of temptation”, the test of her faith.

“And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. ” But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep [it], and bring forth fruit with patience.” (Luke 8:8, 15.) This is certainly the case of Ruth.

On what kind of ground has the seed of the gospel fallen in our particular case? Have we already left everything to follow Jesus or are we still holding tightly to a certain wish or dream of the flesh?

The story goes on with wonderful lessons about the plan of salvation, but what we can learn from this first part is how our life can be a testimony and lead souls to Jesus and how our conversation can have a great influence upon other people. But also, even if all what we say is wrong, the Lord can still use it to fulfil His plan, if the love of God is in our hearts.

Among the people of God there are many Marthas and Marys, many Ruths and Naomis and Jesus loves them all. If any of us acknowledges that she is a Naomi type, let her remember what happened when the people of Israel were in the wilderness and the water was bitter. “The Lord showed him [Moses] a tree, [which] when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet.” (Exodus 15:25). In 1 Peter 2:24, we can read: “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” This tree (wood in the Greek version) is the cross. Only when the cross enters our life will the bitterness of our past experiences become sweet. May the Lord help us to follow Paul’s advice, “let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith? (Hebrews 12:1, 2). Amen.

Teresa Corti