No Place Like Home

Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her bosom and became his nurse. The women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, "A son has been born to Naomi." They named him Obed; he became the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Ruth 3:1 - 4:17

Nothing could be more current than the Book of Ruth, the story of a family of refugees crossing borders in search of a new home and a better life. When Elimelech’s life in the Promised Land no longer seemed promising, he took his wife, Naomi, and their two sons and moved on to Moab.

But there were very few bright spots in the land of Moab. Contrary to Jewish law, their sons married Moabite women. Then Elimelech died, and a few years later Naomi’s two sons also died. Naomi was left a childless, penniless widow in a foreign land with two widowed Moabite daughters-in-law—homeless!

Eventually, Naomi decided to return home, and Ruth, Naomi’s daughter-in-law, chose to accompany her. Returning home is a gift not everyone gets to experience, but there really is no place like it.

Recently I was involved in a group activity where we were asked to describe one of our frustrations in life. I chose to describe my frustration with the toll road authority for not adding an exit ramp for the street to my housing development. It added five minutes to my commute. My friend Carter replied, “You sound like a man who really loves being home.” It’s true. I’m like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz chanting, “There’s no place like home.”

What makes home special? It is the place where we know we are loved—as Ruth was loved by Naomi and Boaz. It is the place where we know we are accepted—as Naomi knew her faith would be accepted. It is the place where we know our needs will be met—as Naomi and Ruth’s needs were met by Boaz.

I can’t imagine anything that would have a more profound and transformative impact on culture than making sure every person has a place they can truly call home—a place where they will be loved, accepted, and cared for.

FOR FURTHER REFLECTION:

Do you know the statistics on homelessness in your community? What organizations exist in your town to care for the homeless? Do you have a safe place to call home? Which line in this reflection had the greatest impact on you?

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, you have promised to do exceedingly, abundantly more than we can ask or imagine. I hold before you the great institutions of marriage and family. Many of us have been wounded by broken family relationships. Awaken in us a desire to restore this fundamental building block of civilization. Amen.

READ THE PASSAGE IN CONTEXT:

Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, I need to seek some security for you, so that it may be well with you. Now here is our kinsman Boaz, with whose young women you have been working. See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing-floor. Now wash and anoint yourself, and put on your best clothes and go down to the threshing-floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. When he lies down, observe the place where he lies; then, go and uncover his feet and lie down; and he will tell you what to do." She said to her, "All that you tell me I will do."

So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When they came together, the Lord made her conceive, and she bore a son. Then the women said to Naomi, "Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without next-of-kin; and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has borne him." Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her bosom and became his nurse. The women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, "A son has been born to Naomi." They named him Obed; he became the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17