“And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God” (Ruth 1:16).
The book of Ruth contains one of the most beloved stories in the Old Testament. We see
portraits of three widows: Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah. Naomi’s husband died leaving her with two sons. Those sons married Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah. Sadly, those sons died, also.. Naomi was in Moab, far from her homeland, with two widowed daughter-in-laws. All were feeling grief and loss.
However, Naomi tried talking to her daughter-in-laws, attempting to convince them to go on with their lives. She was going back to her people and gave them reasons why they shouldn’t go with her. With tear-filled eyes, Orpah kissed Naomi and went back to her people. It was a different story with Ruth. Nothing Naomi said would change her mind. The Bible says Ruth was “stedfastly minded to go with her” (verse 18)—what we might term stubborness.
Though today’s verse is often used today in wedding ceremonies, it is actually a loving
commitment made by a young widow to an older widow she loved like a mother. It basically was a vow, convincing Naomi that Ruth was going with her—no matter what. There was nothing left for Naomi to say.
Sue Winchester
Missouri
PRAY TOGETHER: Pray wisdom and safety of travel for Elizabeth Hodges as she attends RCMA (an annual meeting for religious convention/meeting planners) this week in Minneapolis.
