At first you would ask your self why was Naomi's sending her daughter-in-laws back to thier GODS if she knows that God is the one true God. That is disheartning.
But after thinking was she testing her daughter in laws faith?Orpah and Ruth both followed her when she left but she told them go back to where you came from. Go back to your land and your gods. Orpah did. But Ruth didn’t. Ruth said I will learn your ways and accept your God. This is just a thought and what we were studying in bible study tonight. I wanted some opinions on this. What do you think Naomi was trying to say to Orpah and Ruth when she said go back to you land and your gods?
2007-02-21 16:32:21 · 5 answers · asked by momof3 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I don't think she was necessarily testing their faith. Some people, even back then, don't live for religion or believe enough in choice that they would allow choices to be made. Also, she knew how hard it must have been for Ruth. Ruth is in a foreign land that doesn't think very well of her people. Ruth grew up differently. Naomi must have considered this. Or perhaps in her grief she was just telling the girls that they don't need to lead the life of poverty which she is living. She wanted a better life for them, as any mother (and many mothers in law) would want.
2007-02-21 16:45:01 · answer #1 · answered by Laurel W 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Naomi, herself, was probably reduced to basic survival instinct. She had no way to care for her daughters in law, and their best chance at not starving to death was to go back where they came from.
I've heard some convincing arguments that Naomi's circumstance was the result of her husband's sin in leaving Isreal during the famine; that they were doing anything BUT living faithfully in the land where they were living.
By this argument, it is a supportable premise that Naomi's devastating loss was enough to turn her back to God in her time of need. That would mean that she was ready to give up anything that would have stood as a hinderance to her faith, including her daughters in law who were probably still worshiping their idols at the time.
Presumably, this act of faith on Naomi's part,--picking up and traveling alone and penniless, across a desert to go to a homeland that was anything but a promise of a comfortable retirement--was what inspired Ruth to stick with her.
But this is all conjecture, of course.
2007-02-22 00:45:51 · answer #2 · answered by Privratnik 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In these countries a woman always belongs to her fathers house. If a spouse dies she would return to her father, brother, or closest male relative. It would have been natural for Naomi to send them back. Natural for them to go back. Ruth decided to go against tradition and not return. Naomis people I think were enemies with Ruths people if I believe.
2007-02-22 00:48:01 · answer #3 · answered by travelguruette 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually, I just read the first chapter of Ruth and it says that Naomi asked them to return home....then, she said," your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods....
2007-02-22 00:37:12 · answer #4 · answered by foreverme 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe you're right in saying that she was testing them.
But somehow, in context, I can't help but wonder if it's also a cultural thing. Since, you know, in those days, religion seemed to be an organization that was tied to a particular race/culture that you can just join or quit.
2007-02-22 00:46:01 · answer #5 · answered by curious 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋