You may have noticed that immigration is in the news. That’s because it’s a major political issue in this election season. Nevertheless, most of us are descendants of immigrants, whether our ancestors came in colonial days or more recently. When it comes to the Bible, there are numerous immigration stories that might speak to our situation. Consider this confession in Deuteronomy about Abraham: “A wandering Aramean was my ancestor, he went down into Egypt and lived there as an alien, few in number, and there he became a great nation, mighty and populous.” (Deut. 26:5).
This morning we hear the story of Naomi, her husband Elimelech, and two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, who migrated to Moab when famine hit their homeland in Israel. While the family resided in Moab, they added to their family two Moabite women who became the wives of Naomi’s sons. Unfortunately, all the men in her life died. Nevertheless, Naomi’s daughters-in-law remained loyal to her.
One of her daughters-in-law would accompany Naomi when she returned to her homeland. Even as Naomi became an immigrant when she migrated to Moab, her daughter-in-law, Ruth, became an immigrant when she chose to accompany Naomi when she returned to Israel.
The biblical story includes a number of immigration stories that include Abraham, Jacob, Moses and the people of Israel, along with Naomi and Ruth. These stories have similarities to modern migration stories. That’s because people migrate for the same reasons as they did in the ancient world. They might be seeking economic opportunities unavailable to them back home. Or, they might be fleeing famine, political violence, or persecution. When it comes to American migration stories, we might look back to the nineteenth century when one million Irish people came to America after the potato famine hit their homeland. Poverty and violence back home led many Italians to come to America in the nineteenth century. After they arrived here, they were often accused of causing a rise in crime. Thousands of Jews fled Europe during the nineteenth century due to persecution in Russia and Eastern Europe.
American immigrant stories are summed up in Emma Lazarus’ poem the “New Colossus” that is found on the base of the Statue of Liberty:
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from
land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand mighty woman with a torch,
whose flame is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles.
From her beacon-hand glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she with silent lips.
“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” [New Colossus]
Although no colossus welcomed Naomi and her family to Moab, the family did find refuge in the land of Israel’s ancient enemy. According to the Book of Ruth, this migration story took place during the time of the Judges after famine struck their homeland. Although they found refuge in Moab, soon afterward, Naomi’s husband died, leaving her alone with her two sons, who took Moabite wives. This decision suggests that like myriads of immigrants down through the ages, the family planned to make their place of refuge their permanent home.
As I read this story, I can’t help but think of dear friends who are immigrants from places like India, Pakistan, and Turkey. The census tells us that around 29% of Troy residents are foreign-born. The majority of these residents are Asian. No matter why they came here, they have settled in and contributed to this community. One of these friends represented Troy in the State legislature, and another sits on the city council.
Getting back to Ruth, after living in Moab for ten years, Mahlon and Chilion died, leaving their mother and their Moabite wives, Orpah and Ruth, without any form of support. Back then the only safety net that existed was family, and Naomi’s family lived in Bethlehem. So, Naomi decided to return home, where she hoped her extended family would provide support. However, she couldn’t expect them to welcome with open arms her Moabite daughters-in-law. So, with deep sadness, Naomi told her daughters-in-law to return to their families maybe find new husbands who could provide for them.
One thing we can say about Ruth and Orpah is that they loved their mother-in-law. They had no intention of abandoning her. When Naomi tried to send them home, they clung to her. While Orpah finally heeded Naomi’s pleas and reluctantly returned to her family, Ruth refused to leave Naomi’s side.
Orpah did what was best for Naomi and herself, but Ruth was stubborn. She refused to heed Naomi’s instructions and eventually wore her down. Despite her future status as an outsider in Israel, Ruth pledged her undying loyalty and service to a woman who could give her nothing and in need of her own redemption.
The author of this story records a beautiful song placed on the lips of Ruth that reveals her devotion and loyalty to Naomi.
“Do not press me to leave you,
to turn back from following you!
Where you go, I will go;
where 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.
May the Lord do thus to me,
and more as well,
if even death parts me from you!”
Yes, Ruth declares her undying loyalty to Naomi, saying: “Where you go, I will go” and “your God will be my God.”
Ruth’s declaration takes the form of a covenant, which not even death can break. In making that covenant with Naomi, Ruth also makes a covenant with Naomi’s God. Therefore, Ruth begins a new journey of faith in the company of Naomi with little promise of success. However, this covenant will lead to the redemption of Naomi, Ruth, Israel, and in the end you and me. That’s because, according to the genealogy in Matthew’s gospel, Ruth is the ancestor of David and Jesus. Yes, both David and Jesus had as an ancestor a foreign-born immigrant woman.
As we ponder this story, we need to think for a moment about what it means to be an immigrant. Bruce Epperly points out that:
Immigration means hardship and is usually undertaken as a last resort, when all other options have been explored. Immigrants, in ancient times and today, face antagonism and prejudice. They have to adapt to a new language and culture, and often have to start over again economically and professionally. [Epperly, Ruth and Esther: Women of Agency and Adventure, Kindle Edition].
Our ancestors likely made that choice in coming to America. That is, unless you are a person of Indigenous origin or the descendant of slaves brought here against their will. As we hear this story, and consider our own ancestral stories, may we hear the stories of those who have come to our nation with open hearts.
The story of Ruth’s commitment to stay with Naomi, no matter what came their way, is a reminder that being a follower of Jesus involves a covenant relationship with God and with fellow travelers. Being a Christian is not an individualistic journey. We take this spiritual journey with Jesus in the company of others. Ruth may have understood this better than Naomi, but in the end, Naomi came to see that their futures were connected. No matter what might come their way, they were in it together. With that in mind, we can hear anew Paul’s words about life in the Body of Christ, such that when one suffers, we all suffer, and when one rejoices, we all rejoice (1 Cor. 12:26).
The church is more than a religious organization. It’s more than a family. It is, in fact, a community taking a journey of faith in the company of Jesus, who is our founder, our guide, our benefactor, and our friend. Like us, he descended from immigrants.
In the end, both Ruth and Naomi find God’s blessings in each other’s company. Ruth gained a husband named Boaz, and a son named Obed, who was David’s grandfather. She left a legacy that includes Jesus. As for Naomi, she found her own redemption in the company of her daughter-in-law and friend.
When it comes to you and me, let us remember that to be a follower of Jesus is to be joined in a covenant relationship with him and with each other. As we participate in this covenant relationship, we are linked together by the Holy Spirit in bonds that go beyond family, tribe, and nation. With Ruth as our guide, we hear the call to join together in serving one another. As Jesus said, the reign of God is based on two commandments: Love of God and love of neighbor (Mk 12:28-34). As the story of Ruth and Naomi remind us, our neighbors might just be foreigners! May these two commandments guide us in the days to come.
Preached by:
Dr. Robert D. Cornwall
Pulpit Supply
First Presbyterian Church (PCUSA)
Troy, Michigan
Pentecost 25B/All Saints Sunday
November 3, 2024
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