Genesis 19 describes the distinctly undignified origins of the Moabite people involving Abraham’s nephew, Lot, and his elder daughter. While Lot had a blood connection to the patriarch of the Hebrews, the subsequent history of Moab parallels that of other heathen nations of the ancient Near East. It was known for its devotion to false gods, with its chief deity being Chemosh, referred to as “the abomination of Moab” in 1 Kings 11:7. The ongoing conflict between Moab and Israel is well-documented and spans hundreds of years.
One of the earliest recorded accounts involved Balak, the king of Moab. According to Numbers 22:3, “Moab was in great dread” and “overcome with fear of the people of Israel.” In response, King Balak resolved to commission a prophet-for-hire to pronounce curses on God’s people. The plan utterly backfired and resulted, instead, in God using the prophet to bless Israel on three separate occasions. With the power of false gods at his back, riches in his reserves and earthly power at his fingertips, Balak still could not thwart the will of the One True God.
In an ensuing account Israelites Elimelech and Naomi travelled to Moab along their two sons. At some point after the sons married Moabite women, all the men died. Naomi was widowed with two widowed Moabite daughters-in-law. Both loved Naomi, but when she determined to journey back to Israel, only one of them remained with her. Orpah went “back to her people and to her gods” (Ru. 1:15) but the other, Ruth, clung to Naomi. Despite knowing that attachment to a widow in that culture was a commitment to a life of destitution, Ruth refused to leave her side. What’s more, she devoted herself to Naomi and to God with an unalterable pronouncement:
But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the LORD do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you” (Ru. 1:16–17).
Again, societal conventions and cultural expectations could not thwart the will of the One True God. “Hopeless” Ruth, the widowed Moabitess, went on to become the great grandmother of King David.
In this tale both were natives of a land that had false gods at its center of life and religion. Both were confronted with a quintessential crisis moment. Ultimately, each were used to execute God’s predetermined plan. The difference, however, is that His plan was carried out at the expense of the former and to the benefit of the latter.
From this are two observations. The first and, perhaps, more obvious conclusion is that God accomplishes His will in all circumstances. It may be helpful for you to be reminded that God has already determined both the ends and the means. Nonetheless, you have been given the opportunity to fight against His will or to willingly participate in accomplishing it. You can be humbled to the point of being a steppingstone or choose to walk with God in faith. You may be in a moment of crisis right now. Are you going to look to the world to alleviate your fears or cling to the truths of God’s promises?
The second observation is that one’s origins does not determine future spiritual effectiveness. Ruth did not “break through a glass ceiling of idol worshipping oppression” to achieve great things for God. She was not a revolutionary. At her crossroads she had a clear view of where she came from, but did not know where she would end up. What was her solution? She was faithful! She outwardly committed to wholehearted trust in YAHWEH.
I challenge you to repeat the words of Ruth in your moments of crisis. When the past appears to have all the pieces that lead to failure and the future is frightfully unknown, pray this prayer:
“Oh great God, do not urge me to leave You or to return from following You. For where you direct me to go I will go, and where you direct me to lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and You, God, are my God. Where you cause me to die I will die, and there will I be buried. May nothing but death part me from You.” May His plan will be accomplished to your benefit.