Ruth 1:6-7 – Repentance
Naomi takes the decision to return and to go back to Judah. “Return” in verse six is one of the key words in this passage. It’s an important word in the whole of the Old Testament. It’s a metaphor for repentance. How often, when we’re trying to explain what repentance is, we talk about a 180 degree turn. You’re facing one direction, and you turn right around to go the opposite direction. There’s a turning away from something and a turning towards something else. You can’t simply leave your sin. You must leave your sin and turn towards God and towards righteousness. Turn your back on sin, so that you no longer look at it, that you no longer desire it, that you no longer delight in it, and turn towards your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind.
Naomi has heard that the Lord has visited the land. It’s that reason that compels her to return. Notice, in verse six, the word “visited”. That’s another word that’s quite common in the Scriptures but also quite important. When the Lord visits, he comes down from heaven. He comes down to deal with his people and with his enemies. And this word visit, as it’s used throughout the Scriptures, is used in two senses. He either comes to visit with judgment or he comes to visit with mercy. The Lord has visited the barren land of Judah and made it fruitful yet again. And so we see here that the reason Naomi repents, the reason she turns her back upon Moab to go back to the Lord her God, is because of God’s mercy in visiting his people.
Repentance is when we sense not only the danger that our sins bring upon us, but also the evil of our sins. The filthiness of it in the sight of God, the guilt of it before the holy nature and law of God. And despite these things, we cling to the mercy of God in Christ. Repentance is not simply turning away from sin. It’s clinging to grace and mercy. And this is what Naomi does as she begins her journey back to Judah.
Questions
- What is repentance?
- What had Naomi heard about Judah?
Prayer Points
- Pray that you would live a life of repentance.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.