Call to service III: Ruth - JSS1 Christian Religious Studies Past Questions and Answers - page 1

Chilion

Mahlon

Naomi urged her daughters-in-law to return to their homes for several reasons, as described in the Book of Ruth in the Bible:

1. Concern for Their Future: Naomi was concerned about the well-being and future prospects of her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth. She knew that as young widows, they would have a better chance of finding new husbands and securing their future if they returned to their own families and homeland (Ruth 1:9).
2. Lack of Prospects: Naomi felt she had nothing to offer them. She explained that she was too old to have more sons who could become their husbands, following the custom of levirate marriage where a widow might marry a brother of her deceased husband to carry on the family line (Ruth 1:11-12).
3. Return to Their People and Gods: Naomi thought it would be better for Orpah and Ruth to return to their own people and their gods, where they might find a better chance of starting over and being accepted back into their community (Ruth 1:15).

She said “where you go I will go and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people will be my people, your God will be my God, Where you die, I will die and there I will be buried.

Ruth was of service to all the people of Israel. All the people of Israel loved Ruth for her services.