Personally Received

We have taken this prayer of Naomi to Ruth and Orpah as unto ourselves. Our focus has specifically been on the blessing. The LORD grant that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband.

Meaning was given to the word, rest in three beautiful parts. We received rest as particular, peculiar and productive.  

I now fast forward, as it were, inviting you to look, see and know, with faith’s wisdom and sight, the graciousness and goodness of Sovereign, Almighty God in answering this prayer of Naomi, His penitent, returning-home, daughter.

All we have been told about Orpah, is that she took Naomi’s advice and returned home to her mother’s house. She did not go there to live permanently as a widow, but to wait in hope for another husband. As I said, we are told no more about Orpah, who remained in Moab. However, if we believe that God answered Naomi’s prayer blessing for both her daughters-in-law, then the eyes of faith and our unerring belief in who our Father in heaven is, makes us know that Orpah remarried and found rest in the house of her husband, right there in Moab.   

On the other hand, Ruth insisted on going with Naomi, despite Naomi’s fears that remaining with her would jeopardize Ruth’s future. Not only that, but the prayer was sent up to God with the intention of Orpah and Ruth remaining in Moab, their own country. Oh! The unbelievably stupendous God we worship and serve! Who can be compared with our God, Jehovah! All we can do is bow in deepest reverence and keep silence before Him, as we are held in incomprehensible wonder and love for Him.

Here it is, even though the place where that prayer blessing for Ruth was supposed to take place, is different, God still honours Naomi’s prayer for Ruth. In the most lavish, miraculous and mesmerizingly beautiful way, God gives perfect marital rest to Ruth, in the house of another husband, in a land far from Moab. Rest comes to Ruth in Bethlehem Judah, a strange and foreign land, where she knows no man and no man knows her. Miracle of miracles! God, the One Supreme! The One Almighty, has made it all happen so that Naomi’s prayer blessing will take place in Ruth also.

The LORD grant that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband. 

Father God has answered Naomi’s prayer for those who are not her daughters, but her daughters-in-law. Do you really and truly believe and suppose that God would be less gracious, kind, giving and honouring to His own Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ? You belong to Jesus through birth, Spiritual birth. Has not He prayed to the Father for you? Then know that God has answered His Son’s prayers and you are in the sure, strong arms of answered prayer.

There is rest for you in Jesus Christ, Crucified and Risen, who is your dwelling and abiding Place.