In a previous post, we considered the death of Mahlon and Kilion from the viewpoint of their mother (Naomi). This post shall consider it from the viewpoint of their widows. Ruth and Orpah married foreigners. While the women might have been idol worshippers before their marriage, their husbands were obviously God-fearing Israelites. Mahlon and Kilion might have shared their faith with their wives. Through their conversations, Ruth and Orpah would have learned about the power of Yahweh (God). Even though we are not given details of the circumstances surrounding their deaths, we know that this would have brought a deep grief on their wives. What happened? How did they die? Was it an accident? Did the brothers die on the same day or on different days? We might not have answers to these questions just by reading the book of Ruth. both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband. (Ruth 1:5) The Bible presents to us the fact that “both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband” (Ruth 1:5). Mahlon and Kilion left behind their wives. These women would have still been in their youthful years. Just like Naomi, the loss would have made Ruth and Orpah very vulnerable. Who would protect them? Ruth and Orpah had left their parents and become one flesh with their husbands. They expected to live together for a long time and raise families together. They would have made plans for the future. Maybe they would have discussed having children. In a short period, all the dreams, hopes and aspirations of Ruth and Orpah were shattered. They lost everything. It would have been a difficult moment. Who would comfort another? Their mother-in-law had earlier lost her husband and now her two sons. Daughters-in-law have both lost their husbands. Three widows in one house. The pain, the grief, the discomfort would have been unbearable. Their mother-in-law might have shared some promises of God with them. Ruth and Orpah might have held on to each other for strength. Ruth 1:5, is just a sentence long in my translation (NIV) but the verse is full of deep grief. Ruth and Orpah might have been quite overwhelmed by the pain. Although the Bible does not mention this, it is possible that their own families came to mourn with them. The house of Naomi, was a house of mourning. The life of a young widow is full of uncertainties. Unfortunately, for Ruth and Orpah, Naomi had no other sons to remarry them. Naomi didn’t even have a husband and she was too old to consider that. The only alternative to Ruth and Orpah, while they remained in Moab, was either to remarry other men or to remain widows for the rest of their lives. The former might be the preferred choice in order to avoid unnecessary attention from men. No wonder, Naomi said this: “May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.” (Ruth 1:9a). While they remained with Naomi, they had to provide and protect themselves. However, should they remarry, they would have been provided for and protected by their husbands. Looking beyond the story of Ruth and Orpah, we have widows in our societies who are also vulnerable. When we consider the emotional and the physical pain they might be going through, we should be moved to extend a helping hand to them. In most cases, we tend to give attention to widows (females precisely) and forget the widowers. Men are strong physically but emotionally, they could be very weak. If you know a man who has lost the wife and is yet to remarry, do well to show compassion to them. Grief has no gender! Pain is pain. No matter how strong one is, we all need someone to lean on when we are down. Our societies should be intentional about demonstrating love and compassion to people who have lost their spouses. God knows the pain of widows and widowers. He extends to them His love and compassion. He is the Father to the fatherless, a defender of widows (Psalms 68:5). He is interested in providing for widows (Deuteronomy 14:29). Widows can depend on Him (Jeremiah 49:11). He Judges the oppressors of widows (Malachi 3:5). He watches over widows (Psalm 146:9). James, the brother of Jesus wrote this: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:27) Ruth and Orpah might have been lonely, but God was not done with them. When Ruth took a step of faith to go to Bethlehem, God changed her story for good. Be kind to widows and widowers.
top of page
bottom of page
Kommentare