10/26/2009

Beyond

Here's this week's Bible study blog entry for i.ucc:

Elimelech and Naomi went with their sons Mahlon and Chilion beyond the land of Judah – the land of their ancestors, to Moab, the land of their cousins . . . cousins with a tenuous and sometimes violent past.

After their father died, Mahlon and Chilion married Orpah and Ruth from Moab, and when they died, Naomi, Orpah and Ruth were beyond the help of the system.

After traveling beyond where they had been living, Naomi went beyond the idea of self-preservation and told Orpah and Ruth to return to their families. She would live out her days in bitterness and poverty.

Though she convinced Orpah to leave and to seek the care of her family, Ruth was not convinced. She went beyond the safe route and cultural norms and she vowed to stay with Naomi no matter what.

Ruth’s decision to stay with Naomi has significance well beyond her lifetime. She has been traced as the ancestor of David and Jesus, and her love for Naomi has been lifted up as an example for all to follow.

What else can you find beyond this week’s Bible reading from Ruth 1:1-18?

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