Ruth and Esther: Models of Grace

“Then Queen Esther…wrote with full authority…” ~ Esther 9:29a

“So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife… and she bore a son.” ~ Ruth 4:13

How you behave in the darkness of the wilderness determines how long you remain in the darkness of the wilderness. Both Ruth and Esther, very unlikely women, found tremendous favor in the eyes of God and the people. Yes, they definitely went through the dark wilderness – the anguish, the sorrow, the pain of loss, fear and great desolation. And yet, they both journeyed through that darkness with their eyes not on their own bitterness and pain, but on the light of faith and hope that shined from within. They turned to their own divine light; that inner wisdom of divine grace that lay deep within.

We all have that same inner wisdom that we can access during those times of desolation. We tend to behave badly in the wilderness – complaining, blaming and seething with bitterness – so we remain there far too long. Our trials are meant to ask of us: “How will you receive me – with hatred and resentment, or with a holy longing for what is possible?”

As an unconscious competent during my own journey of grief, I made the decision to choose the latter; simply because it promised me far more than bitterness. By nature, I am not a bitter person, I cannot hold a grudge to save my life – though I do have my moments of woefulness. So, I had to embrace all that rose up within me. It is in the times of pain when our moment to shine is the brightest.

Ruth: The Light of Hope

“But Ruth said: ‘Entreat me not to leave you,

Or to turn back from following after you;

For wherever you go, I will go;

And wherever you lodge, I will lodge;

Your people shall be my people,

And your God, my God.

Where you die, I will die,

And there will I be buried.

The LORD do so to me, and more also,

If anything but death parts you and me.’” ~ Ruth 1:16-17

Two of the beautiful verses of the Book, the widow Ruth has been converted to the God of her late husband’s people. It is in this new relationship that she can go and live with her mother-in-law Naomi, and be a comfort to her as well. In times of great sorrow and pain, it is very easy to think of only ourselves; yet Ruth reached out to Naomi, who was also widowed but rendered childless and pretty much helpless, especially in those times.

The way we behave during the dark times, during the adversities, determines how long we remain in the darkness. If we wallow in sorrow and bitterness, then that much longer will we remain in the sorrow and bitterness. Ruth knew she needed to shine a glimmer of light for Naomi to see the hope she had lost.

Ruth: Defying Bitterness

“… For the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.” ~ Ruth 1:20

Ruth the Moabite widow of a Judean, no doubt felt great sadness and grief. Yet, her mother-in-law Naomi, also a widow and left childless, moved through her desolation and loss by blaming her God. When we are in great pain, especially the pain of loss, we want to reach out and blame someone for that pain. And though we must have our grieving time, we must not remain there; lest we get stuck in a sea of bitterness.

In the throws of these moments of desolation, stop, take a breath and ask not why has this pain of loss come upon you; but ask what are you to learn from this time of great sorrow. Then continue to journey through the sorrow, receiving your lesson, your blessings, and your great strength and courage.