By Olubunmi Adebayo
*Ruth faced one of the most daunting situations anyone could ever imagine in life, and yet, she was still able to show us great lessons in conviction.*
*Among others, she was a widow who had lost her husband – Mahlon at a tender age. Yet she was determined to follow her mother-in-law (Naomi), who had also lost : 1) her own husband – Elimelech, and 2) lost another son called Chilion, who happened to be the husband of Orpah.*
*The two daughters-in-law appeared responsible and selfless in their resolve to follow Naomi. But Naomi felt her life should not be a drag on the two ladies. She told them thus therefore :*
*Ruth 1:8-9…. Go, return each to her mother’s house: the LORD deals kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.*
*[9]The LORD grants you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.*
*[10]And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.*
*[11]And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?*
*[13]Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.*
*[14]And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.*
*Looking backward, Orpah for example, might have thought within herself that it was pointless following Naomi back home to Judah – please don’t ever imagine that Orpah was a bad person by her action. It was just that her faith lacked conviction for the journey ahead.*
*Note that faith thrives on conviction, which is what is lacking in the case of Orpah.*
*As a product of conviction, Ruth’s decision was bold and courageous. In her state of conviction she told Naomi thus :*
*Ruth 1:16-17 :*
*[16]…..Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:*
*[17]Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.*
*No wonder,*
*Ruth 1:18] When Naomi saw that she (Ruth)was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.*
*Ruth’s decision was conscious, deliberate, and uncompromising, standing on the strong pillars of conviction.*
*The question we should ask ourselves is what could have helped the conviction of Ruth to be this strong, firm and resolute?*
*We shall be considering this tomorrow, God willing.*
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©️ Olubunmi S Adebayo.
