Why did Naomi and her family emigrate from Israel to Moab? What other factors motivate people to leave their home countries and to emigrate? Living in a place where you do not have relatives or familiar support systems can be very frightening. While in Moab, Naomi lost her husband and her two sons. She was far from home and she was alone. If it hadn’t been for the presence and kindness of Ruth and Orpah, her Moabite daughters-in-law, Naomi probably wouldn’t have survived. Would Naomi and her family be welcomed in your community? What difficulties might immigrants face today in your community? Do you know of any immigrants that need help, protection, support? How can you advocate for their safety and security.
For Further Reflection
Rural communities throughout Mexico are suffering what the government is calling “the most severe Mexico has ever faced. “ (NY Times 1/30/12) More than 2 million people have no access to water and nearly 50% of farmland has been affected. While the Mexican government has committed $2.63 billion for relief efforts, many people are so desperate for food and water that they are migrating into cities in Mexico or to the U.S. How do you think the US should respond to this crisis? The church? How does this information challenge your view of current US Immigration policy?
Tongue on Fire 
I found the immigrant story of Naomi so challenging. If the story were being told in our context, Naomi and her family wouldn’t have been able to cross the border without a visa approved by the US government, proof of support once she entered our country, and all the other hoops people must jump through. If she came into the country without the proper documents, she would have constantly been in fear of exposure. Naomi wouldn’t have been welcome in the US just because she was hungry. In fact, there is only so much food to go around so Naomi’s family represents a threat to the food supply for everyone else. I’m sure she was not too welcome even in Moab.
So, the story also challenged me to consider the risk that Ruth and Orpah took to become a part of Naomi’s family and support network. Their compassion and commitment toward Naomi and her family are a far cry from the typical response to immigrants today.
God is working in it all. Without the migration of Naomi, Ruth never would have become the grandmother of King David. Time will only tell what God is doing through the migration of people today. But it challenges me to be more welcoming.
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