R1-11: Why The Book Of Ruth Is Beloved By Female Believers Everywhere

“Na‘omi said to her two daughters-in-law, ‘Each of you, go back to your mother’s house. May Adonai show grace to you, as you did to those who died and to me.'”-Ruth 1:8

I wanna show you something that’ll just fly over your head unless I point it out.

When Naomi tells her Moabite daughters-in-law Ruth and Orpah to NOT accompany her back to Israel she says “Each of you, go back to your mother’s house”.

Here’s the thing.

In those days it was unusual to refer to the family home as the “mother’s house” as opposed to belonging to the “father”.

Some folks say the idea being expressed here is that until the girls get new husbands, who better to comfort them than their own mothers?

Yeah, I guess that makes sense, but I think there’s a better interpretation we can bring to the table here.

The book of Ruth is a story about women.

The main character Naomi is a woman.

And the chief supporting character, Ruth, is a woman.

And the whole story revolves around the challenges women face in a male-dominated ancient society.

So everything is seen from a woman’s perspective.

And not only that, I would say one of the underlying sub-themes of this book is that the Lord greatly values women…

And how they should be respected and cared for in society.

Therefore, it is most suitable for Naomi to say “Go back to your mother’s house”.

I might also add I can see why Ruth is one of the most beloved books among female believers everywhere.

It has tenderness and romance woven into it…

And at its conclusion, a male hero rides in to save the day.