Great question! That would have been the custom of her time/culture, and it what Orpah, Naomi's other daughter-in-law, did do. I am not a theologian but I interpret the scripture to reflect that Ruth decided to go against 'custom' and that which would have been much easier for her out of selfless devotion to Naomi, choosing to accompany her so she would not be alone for the rest of her life. It was a stunning act of love!
Beautiful, my friend!! 💙
Sorry. I meant to say why did she NOT return home to her own mother and father?
Great question! That would have been the custom of her time/culture, and it what Orpah, Naomi's other daughter-in-law, did do. I am not a theologian but I interpret the scripture to reflect that Ruth decided to go against 'custom' and that which would have been much easier for her out of selfless devotion to Naomi, choosing to accompany her so she would not be alone for the rest of her life. It was a stunning act of love!
I have a question. I don’t know much about the customs of that time. Why did Ruth return home to her own mother and father?