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So Mahlon and Chilion marry two local girls, Orpah and Ruth, Ruth signifying
"beauty" and Orpah a "hind or fawn".
Then both young men are stricken and die. In both cases the marriages were childless,
and now the three widows were faced with a serious problem. The inheritance of
Elimelech which passed on to Mahlon and Chilion would die too, a dire tragedy to every
family of Israel.
Naomi now takes the decision to return to her own land. This would involve hardship,
and possibly danger, but the famine was over, and doubtless she felt alone in a foreign
country. Her kith and kin were in Israel, and that was the obvious place for her to go.
"Then she arose with her daughters-in-law, that she might return from the country of
Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited His
people in giving them bread. Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was,
and her two daughters-in-law with her, and they went on the way to return unto the land
of Judah" (1: 6, 7).
A number of commentators point out that the plight of Naomi was God's judgment on
her for being the one mainly responsible for her husband emigrating from Bethlehem
during the famine. On the other hand it could have been the leading of the Lord in view
of what happened later.
Evidently they all three started the journey together, both daughters-in-law clearly
ready to go all the way, and not merely to escort Naomi a short distance. She had won
their deep affection, and there was no question of either staying behind. Naomi must
have been a most loveable character, for it is most evident that both girls were completely
devoted to her. Unselfishness and courage were two traits she must have possessed in
plenty, and above all complete trust in the Lord. These things are revealed in the
narrative.
"And Naomi said unto her two daughters-in-law, Go, return each to her mother's
house: the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me. The
Lord grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she
kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept. And they said unto her, Surely we
will return with thee unto thy people" (1: 8-10).
What a help those two young women would have been to Naomi on the long trek back
to Judah, and yet she now urged them to leave her and return to their own homes. How
noble was her complete unselfishness and self denial. She dismisses them both with
generous commendation and her blessing. Her faith had remained firm and unswerving
to the Lord despite the long period of absence from her people. In her twofold blessing
she twice used the sacred name of Jehovah.
Her words thus far however, are insufficient to shake the affectionate love and resolve
of either of the two girls. Who would carry the few belongings and keep and protect her
along the way? "Surely we will return with thee unto thy people".