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convert
Naomi had two sons by her husband Elimelech, Mahlon and Chilion. The family had emigrated to Moab (modern [[Jordan]]). Naomi's husband, and then her sons died, without issue; she was left with two childless daughters-in-law. Naomi set off for home into the land of [[Canaan]] (this was not yet the Kingdom of Israel).
Naomi had two sons by her husband Elimelech, Mahlon and Chilion. The family had emigrated to Moab (modern [[Jordan]]). Naomi's husband, and then her sons died, without issue; she was left with two childless daughters-in-law. Naomi set off for home into the land of [[Canaan]] (this was not yet the Kingdom of Israel).
She managed to send [[Orpah]] ([[Oprah Winfry]]'s mispelled first name) back to her home, but Ruth insisted on joining Naomi. At this point, the poetic and theological majesty of the book is made: Ruth 1:15-16:
She managed to send [[Orpah]] ([[Oprah Winfrey]]'s mispelled first name) back to her home, but Ruth insisted on joining Naomi. At this point, the poetic and theological majesty of the book is made: Ruth 1:15-16:
<blockquote>Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
<blockquote>Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.</blockquote>
Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.</blockquote>
This is the hymn of the convert, the psalm to the rights of the convert.
So Ruth trudged back to suburban [[Jerusalem]] with her mother-in-law, to [[Bethlehem]]. Her mother-in-law, Naomi, was recognized with some cheer, but Naomi was bitter, as a woman with no living descendants, and only a widowed daughter-in-law as a companion.
So Ruth trudged back to suburban [[Jerusalem]] with her mother-in-law, to [[Bethlehem]]. Her mother-in-law, Naomi, was recognized with some cheer, but Naomi was bitter, as a woman with no living descendants, and only a widowed daughter-in-law as a companion.