A Momentous Decision

by R. Darke, Victoria, B.C., Canada | Category: General | Mar 1990

It was made by a young woman over 3,000 years ago, and its implications affecting today are revealed in the following narrative.

There are two Bethlehems in Israel. One in the north belonged to Zebulun; the other, the better known, and located in the south near Jerusalem, belonged to the royal tribe of Judah. Bethlehem means house of bread, and dates back to Abraham when it was known as Ephrath (Gen. 35:19). Micah, in his prophecy concerning the birth of the Messiah, identifies it with Bethlehem Ephrathah, "which art little to be among the thousands of Judah" (5:2).

Bethlehem-Judah once proved untrue to the meaning of its name. Because of famine it became empty of bread. To avoid possible starvation, an Israeli family trekked forty miles from Bethlehem to the idol-worshipping country of Moab, near the Dead Sea. Food there seemed to be plentiful. The family consisted of Elimelech and Naomi, and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion. The sons were to marry Moab women, Ruth and Orpah. Then tragedy struck. The father and sons died, leaving three widows.

The Israeli family did not do right in migrating to a land of idols, but God's hand was seen in subsequent events. After 10 years, Naomi heard there was plenty of food again in Bethlehem. Deciding to return, she encouraged her daughters-in-law to go to their families. Orpah did, but Ruth turned her back on the wood and stone images, saying to Naomi: "Intreat me not to leave thee ... thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God" (Ruth 1:16). What a conversion! what a testimony! Once a worshipper of dumb idols, now a believer and a follower of the living God with a desire to be part of His holy nation. Orpah made no confession, and indicated no desire to follow the path which led to Naomi's God. Ruth, in contrast, clung to Naomi and testified: Thy God shall be my God. Ruth's momentous decision that day produced results which

have reached down to us over 3,000 years later.

The return of Naomi and Ruth to Israel is a choice picture of two walking together with a common purpose. The Spirit's description is conveyed in these choice words: "So they two went until they came to Bethlehem", expression indeed of God's grace, forgiveness, restoration. What was the outcome? Ruth married Boaz, the princely man of wealth, and they had a son named Obed, from whose line came David, and Jesus, the Messiah. Obed was a great consolation to Naomi, whose bitterness by now must have been turned to unending sweetness.

Christ, our true Bread which came down out of heaven, has been the provider of all our blessings as the satisfier of our longing souls. He has forgiven us, brought us into the royal line of heaven, made us part of the Israel of God today (Gal. 6:16). All our mistakes of the past are forgotten, as with Ruth. He welcomed our return as Boaz did Ruth. Now we wait to welcome His return from the glory land.

R. Darke, Victoria, B.C., Canada | Mar 1990
General