Not so sure. However, Naomi was called to influence and bring about a permanent change in Ruth’s life and situation. This is what a good Counselor would do. Naomi influenced Ruth in a positive way. She is a good Counselor. Suffering and loneliness
were God’s ways to take her to her next place of honor.
Therefore, don’t allow anything to distract or discourage you from pursuing your purpose in life. Like Naomi, you may be called to influence people or to be a support a counselor without you knowing it. .
God wants you to touch someone’s life. God wants you to influence someone in a very positive way. It maybe your husband, children, friends or relations that you need to influence, counsel and direct in a positive way. Hence, you need knowledge:
Wisdom is a shelter as money is shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this; that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor." ~ Ecclesiastes 7:12 (NIV)
Naomi a guide to the two Ladies
Both Orpah and Ruth loved Naomi. However, Ruth’s decision was a matter of personal loyalty to her mother-in-law and to her God (Ruth 1:16-17)
When Naomi counseled Ruth and Orpah to return to their mother’s house (Ruth 1:8-9) their initial response was to stay with Naomi (Ruth 1:10)
Naomi had to persuade them to leave. (Ruth 1:11-13)
She was partly successful. Orpah agreed to leave and Ruth stayed. (Ruth 1:14)
Orpah returning means going to her people and to their God. It was not just a break of relationship with Naomi; it was a return to idolatry and to violence of Moab. 1:15 A good Christian Counselor would make you stay with Christ and his people no matter the cost.
- Orpah accepts Naomi’s suggestion and returned to her mother’s house. Ruth 1:14.
Life is full of choices and the temptation is to choose the easy way out of trouble.
It is better to choose right. Hence you need a Christian counselor who will train you to make choices that would be according to God’s will.
When you’ve made your choice, you have to live with it. Your choice could affect your entire life and influence your children as well.
Orpha made her choice and had to live by it. She returned to her mother in Moab. That choice shaped the rest of her life.
Ruth responded with an oath that shows her commitment to Naomi was final. She decided to change her religion. For Ruth, the past was gone and it was time to look to the future.
It is God’s will for us to make our choices however tempting it may look or sound. This is what freedom is all about. Your liberty should not be an occasion to sin. You’re free and that means you have ability and right to decide what you want to do with your life. Yet, your choices in life determine your destiny or final destination.
Your Christian counselor is there to help you make the right choice and to lead you painlessly to your choosen destination.
Orpha ended up in the violence and vanity of Moab. Ruth became a member of the family of the king of Israel and the Messiah. Make your own choice.
Naomi’s Relationship
Naomi was not dreaming of becoming Ruth's Christian Counselor.The forces that brought Ruth and Naomi together were beyond their control. Naomi had moved from Bethlehem in Judah to the foreign country of Moab because of famine.Ruth 1:1
It is a stressful experience for anyone to live as a refugee. It is particularly uneasy for ladies and young girls because it could lead to sexual abuse. The second force that brought Naomi and Ruth together was marriage. Naomi is the mother in law of Ruth. Hence, Naomi naturally assumes the role of Ruth's Christian counselor.
Their relationship lusted about ten years in Moab. In addition to the problem of living as a refugee, during the period, Ruth and Naomi went from one sorrow to another.
Naomi’s husband and her two sons died. Naomi’s sons, Mahon and Chilion married earlier to Moabite women Orpah and Ruth.
Naomi’s blessing of Orpah and Ruth is a proof Naomi had a good relationship with both daughters in law Ruth 1:8-9.
She wishes each of them a good husband because a woman without a husband is not well regarded in a male centered Society. Marriage improves also a lady’s self-image in a community where women are valued only when married. A good see things God's way and could help you out when in a little confusion.
Naomi’s Grief Talk
How did Naomi view the tragedies that had befallen her in Moab? (Ruth 1:13,Ruth 1: 20-21) Do you think there was any truth in this or was it just Naomi’s grief talking?
Naomi’s family moved to live in idolatrous Moab because of famine. She viewed her tragedies as consequence for her family’s decision to move to Moab. She considered the death of her husband and two sons as a direct punishment from God. She could not see the lasting reward God was preparing for her temporary suffering. She allowed her grief to dominate her talks.
A Christian Counselor watch over your talks and words so as to make your tongue an instrument of blessing. Naomi had no Christian counselor to relieve the pains in her heart.
So she returned to Bethlehem with bitterness of heart Ruth I: 13d. She repeated her grief self talk in Ruth 1:20-21. Of course, she could not see God as leading in her grief and as long as she had bitterness in her heart God’s power was shut out.
You may find yourself perfectly represented in Naomi especially when things are not working the way you planned. If your words would not honor God it is better you don’t talk. Your grief self talk would cause more wounds than healing. The best way is to ask the support of a Christian Counselor.
"For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory." ~ 2 Corinthians 4:17
Yet God is able to make all grace to abound toward you. God takes care of people who show faith in him even in strange lands.
Naomi’s story started with sadness ending in wholeness and well-being. After the death of her husband, life would have been very hard for her and her daughter in law.
However, both women did not give up. They took matters into their own hands to find ways to survive. They formed an alliance that lasted until death. They use what was available to them. Naomi thought of a plan which Ruth skillfully put into action. With God their plan worked.
"Passing through the valley of weeping they make it a place of springs; Yea, the early rain covereth it with blessings." ~ Psalms 84:6
Action Point:
Decide right now to make Ruth or Boaz your model.
Decide to follow God and His people at all time.
God bless you as you decide for Him in Jesus name.
Use Google Tool Below
You want to quickly search for a Bible Study Topics on this site or on the entire web? It is easy. Simply type in the key word and click on Google Search eg:Jesus.
