Living for the Good of Others: The Example of Naomi and Ruth

Scripture — Ruth 1:7-14 (NRSV)

So [Naomi] set out from the place where she had been living, she and her two daughters-in-law, and they went on their way to go back to the land of Judah. But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back each of you to your mother’s house. May the LORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. The LORD grant that you may find security, each of you in the house of your husband.” Then she kissed them, and they wept aloud. They said to her, “No, we will return with you to your people.” But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters, why will you go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? Turn back, my daughters, go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. Even if I thought there was hope for me, even if I should have a husband tonight and bear sons, would you then wait until they were grown? Would you then refrain from marrying? No, my daughters, it has been far more bitter for me than for you, because the hand of the LORD has turned against me.” Then they wept aloud again. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.

Devotion

In the Old Testament book of Ruth, we find a powerful story of living for the good of others. The story begins with hardship. A famine in the land of Judah forced a family to leave home and go to the country of Moab. But the hardship was increased when the father of this family died, leaving his wife and two sons. The sons married two Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth, before they also died. This left their mother, Naomi, in an extremely vulnerable position, with no obvious source of provision or protection. A woman in that situation was physically, socially, and economically vulnerable.

So Naomi decided to return to Judah in the hope of finding adequate food there (Ruth 1:6). But she urged her daughters-in-law, the widows of her sons, to stay in Moab with their families (1:9). Leaving for Judah without her daughters-in-law would have made Naomi’s situation ever riskier, but she wanted what was best for her Orpah and Ruth. In particular, Naomi hoped that they might find husbands in Moab.

Orpah did stay in Moab, but Ruth chose to remain with Naomi, saying, “Where you go, I will go; Where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God” (1:16). Recognizing the strength of Ruth’s resolve, Naomi accepted her choice and went with Ruth to Judah. Because she wanted what was best for her mother-in-law, Ruth faced the very real possibility that she would never remarry. This would be likely to mean a life of poverty and vulnerability for Ruth. What a moving example of a younger person choosing what’s best for an older person!

As Naomi and Ruth settled in Judah, Ruth began gleaning in a field belonging to a relative of Naomi named Boaz, so as to provide food for herself and Naomi. Naomi showed concern for Ruth’s well-being and safety while she gleaned. (2:22-23). But, beyond this, Naomi sought “security” for Ruth, “so that it may be well with her” (3:1). The older woman advised her daughter-in-law in the ways of Jewish culture, encouraging her to pursue a relationship with Boaz. In time, Boaz and Ruth married. Later, Ruth gave birth to a son (4:13). Naomi, once again, expressed her care for Ruth by becoming the son’s nurse (4:16). (That baby boy, by the way, was named Obed. He was the father of Jesse and the grandfather of King David.)

While it’s true that Naomi offers a stirring example of an older person seeking what’s best for a younger person, in fact, the story of Naomi and Ruth offers a moving illustration of intergenerational concern and loving mutual sacrifice. Yes, Naomi sought the best for Ruth at considerable cost to herself. And Ruth returned the favor by seeking the best for Naomi, accompanying her even if it meant her own life would be less secure and comfortable. Of course, in this instance, the sacrificial actions of both Naomi and Ruth turned out for the best for both of them. But this outcome was far from certain when they chose what was best for the other person.

I don’t know of a contemporary situation that’s exactly parallel to the case of Naomi and Ruth. But I do know that sometimes people do move from the place they prefer to live to another place because of their commitment to someone they love. Spouses sometimes move to support the professional opportunities of their wife or husband. I know grandparents who moved from their hometown to be close to their son and his family, who were facing unusually difficult health issues. Perhaps you know of similar instances. Or perhaps you’ve even experienced something like this in your life.

When I think of times when people have given up something for my benefit, I remember a couple of moves our family made that weren’t something my wife and/or children wouldn’t have chosen for themselves. I also remember how, when I was in junior high, my dad got up extra early every Tuesday morning to drive me across town for a 6:45 a.m. Bible study. He never complained. He was also willing to pick up some of my friends along the way, which made for an even earlier morning. Yet he did this faithfully and cheerfully. Honestly, at the time, it didn’t dawn on me that my dad was sacrificing a good bit of sleep and convenience for my sake. In retrospect, I’m both grateful for his sacrifice and unsurprised by it. My dad was that kind of person.

Though your particular situation will not be exactly like that of Naomi and Ruth, there will certainly be times in your life when you’ll need to decide whether or not to sacrifice something that matters to you out of support for someone you love. You’ll certainly need God’s guidance in such a situation, especially when there are many complicating factors. But perhaps you’ll remember how Naomi and Ruth chose to remain committed to each other, even when the personal cost might have been great. Maybe God will call you to a similar sacrifice as you seek the good for someone else.

Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the unique website of our partners, the Theology of Work Project. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: Tragedy Strikes the Family of Ruth and Naomi (Ruth 1:1-22).