Part 13

---The series on Ruth began in Part 10---
“I will give you treasures of darkness and hidden riches of the Secret Place, that you may know that I, the Lord, Who calls you by your name, am the God of Israel.”  Isaiah 45:3

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.  There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the Holy Place where the Most High dwells.”  Psalm 46:1-4

“…Naomi and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there.  With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah.”  (Ruth 1:6b-7) NIV

It must have been a scary time for Naomi, and these two girls, as the decision was made to leave the place they had been living and set out on a road.  It is difficult for even the most confident of people to venture into the unknown.  Oh sure, she had traveled this road once before when her husband moved them out to Moab; but, she was a young mom then, tending to her two sons while her husband made all the travel arrangements.  Naomi “prepared to return home from there”.  Other Bible translations say, “Naomi…arose”, “Naomi…departed”, “Naomi…started on the way back”, and my favorite:  “Naomi…got herself together”. 

Let’s think about how our story now relates to the Tabernacle:  she “prepared”, she “arose”, she “departed”, she “started on the way back”, and she “got herself together”.  She made a decision…she set out on the road that would lead her home…back to the land of Judah.

“Enter through the narrow gate.  For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”  Matthew 7:13-14

We will explore the “gate” further in our story, but for this scene:  The “gate” as described in the Word of God was an opening in a city wall, often protected by barriers and towers.   

How do we get to the “gate” which leads to the city (the Holy of Holies)?  We stand at the crossroads:  “broad is the road that leads to destruction…narrow is the road that leads to life…” 

And we get ourselves together…

And we listen… 

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”  Isaiah 30:21

And we trust…

And we obey…

We head towards the Gate….home….the land of Judah….the Way, the Truth, and the Life which is only found in Christ Jesus.  The gate is fortified, protected by barriers and….Remember?

A Tower:  One that provides support or protection; a fortress, which means strong, fortified place; a large and permanent fortification which means something that defends or strengthens, secures, gives physical strength, courage or endurance; to add mental or moral strength; to encourage; to add material for strengthening or enriching.  (Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary)

“The name of the Lord is a strong Tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.”  Proverbs 18:10

And then…we’re headed home.

“Father, take me into the Holy of Holies.  Take me in by the Blood of the Lamb.  Here I am!”