RUTH: A Model of Death to Self.
The story of Ruth is constructed upon a traumatic crisis presented and concludes with the crisis resolved. Naomi lost her husband and two sons; she and her two daughters-in-law; Orpah and Ruth were widowed. Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem. Ruth decided to go with Naomi and treated her as her own mother.Naomi and Ruth began with emptiness. Naomi pointed to God as the cause of her emptiness. Ruth looked to God's providence for her future and shows unselfishness, brave love, the unshaken truthfulness. Ruth's devotion and trustworthiness are clearly displayed. Her faithful loving service and commitment to her mother-in-law was rewarded. She finally got married to Boaz. She gave birth to Obed, David's grandfather. She was restored. This is what Boaz said to her, "I've been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband---how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before" Ruth 2:11 -- 12.
Ruth, a woman from a despised community has been included into the genealogy of Jesus. This shows that, you do not have to be a special person from a particular breed of people in order to be used by God. Ruth, an ordinary woman, under a very traumatic situation, had an open heart to others, the people of her mother-in-law. Naomi's pain was her pain. The common pain revealed to her that all people are equal. She realised that pain does not discriminate.
In this context Ruth chose to be the wounded healer. In her deep pain of having lost her husband she chose to be a pillar of strength to Naomi. Ruth played the meaning of her name; 'a friend or companion'. She is one of the heroes of faith in the Bible.
Coronavirus has exposed that we are all vulnerable. Our communities are traumatized, stressed and depressed. God is calling us to commit our service to each other. The story of Ruth has much to teach us about relationships with each other and healing in our churches and communities. In this story we are taught to welcome those who are considered outsiders and offer equal treatment to those the community despised and treated as outsiders. Ruth teaches us that in the family of God, we are all equal, accepted, and loved.
| Look," said Naomi, "your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her." 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." (Ruth1:16-18) |
Rev Mukondi Ramulondi ministers at Mt Horeb Presbyterian Church in Polokwane, Limpopo. He is former Moderator of General Assembly, Married to Konanani, have four children, Dzilafho, Vhushavhelo, Ngelekanyo, Tshilidzi and a daughter-in-law Yamkela and two grandchildren; Mulweli and Orinea.
