Reading Ruth 1:11, I learned a subtle lesson from Naomi’s response to her daughters-in-law. It is a lesson that is hidden in plain sight.
Medical science today tells us that the man determines the gender of a child because his sperm carries either the X or Y chromosome. A woman’s egg carries the X chromosome. So, depending on what the sperm gives, the couple will have a male (XY) or female (XX) child.
Granted that Naomi meant she was old and now in menopause, and her use of the word “sons” was because she was speaking to young women in need of husbands, I also think that she was certain about something. If she were still in her fertile age, she could have sons. I don’t mean children in general, but sons specifically. I don’t know by what method she would do that, but there’s this certainty I perceived in her words – I have sons in my womb.
The lesson is this: as a woman in her fertile age, you can determine the gender of your child with God. Whether you need male or female children, you can ask God, who grants our desires according to His will. There are sons in your womb… just ask and believe.
