People are often surprised to find that the words from Ruth 1:16b-17, often heard at weddings, are not about the joys of beginning a new life together. The only things in Ruth’s favor were her loyal love to Naomi and her commitment … The love of Ruth for her mother-in-law parallels the love God has for humanity. Lesson #4 – Sharing Openly About Our Relationship with God Brings Intimacy to Relationships. Ruth exhibited faithfulness, respect, devotion, love, friendship and humility. We give glory and thanksgiving to God—not just for taking us to be with Him someday in heaven, but for all the little everyday deliverances that He brings into our lives. Maybe it is just the people who live on the same street or ride the same bus. Instead of returning to a place where physical rest and security was likely awaiting her, Ruth placed her faith in the unknown, in a people she did not know and a God she did not know. The LORD grant that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband” (1:8-9). This level of commitment seems strange in our culture because many people enter into relationships as if they were … Even though Naomi knew that a new marriage for Ruth would change their relationship, she still played an important part in arranging the marriage of Boaz and Ruth. But Ruth’s commitment to Naomi went even further when she said what? Ask someone in your small group to pray for you specifically as needed and hold you accountable for your commitment. We are thrown together—and as human beings we make commitments to the people we’re thrown together with. She wasn’t going to be talked out of it! In a lot of ways we couldn’t have been more different from each other. It’s a commitment that is hard, to be sure! Ruth expressed her loyalty to Naomi in a solemn vow, calling judgment upon herself if she ever left her (Ruth 1:17). First, when Naomi's whole life seemed to cave in while in Moab, it was God who gave Ruth to Naomi. Significantly, when Ruth … They definitely didn’t take their oaths in the name of the Lord! Glenna S. Jackson . And yet Ruth makes this commitment—why? Book of Ruth Quick Overview. Promises that we now know are fulfilled in Jesus Christ! Then it struck again, Naomi’s sons died—the sons who were married to Orpah and Ruth. We know that when it comes to caring for the people God has placed into our lives, we fail miserably! Naomi told the girls: Go back home. Remember Ruth’s commitment. The love of Ruth for her mother-in-law parallels the love God has for humanity. Upon returning the Bethlehem, Ruth decided to go into the fields during the barley harvest to pick up leftover grains. We’re told, “Choose your friends wisely,” but to a certain degree, you didn’t even choose your friends! 1:18). In Bethlehem Ruth met Boaz, the man who would redeem her in court so that he could marry her and take care of the whole family. After all, was Naomi going to have more sons? True commitment to others is reflected in every aspect of life. Not only did she continue on with Naomi, but she determined to follow her God. She swears that she will join the Israelites rather than the Moabites and will even follow the God of Israel. Ruth set off to the field of Boaz, a kinsmen of Naomi’s husband, to pick grain. After all, it was an emotional moment. The story of Naomi and Ruth are woven together closely that their stories are nearly inseparable. Ruth was from Moab. Naomi decides to return to her native land of Judah when she hears that the Lord has visited the people and provided them with food. But Ruth refused to take her blessing and return to the relative security of her own people and family. Her story of faithfulness and loyalty whilst walking through difficult circumstances into a life unknown is still inspiring generations even in our day. Subscribe to iTunes Download MP3. Bible study on two important women in the Book of Ruth. In taking such an oath, Ruth defies all conventions and takes … Wanting to return to Bethlehem, she said, “Go, return each to her mother’s house. One writer says that Naomi was a grieving widow, Orpah was a leaving widow, and Ruth was a cleaving widow. A baby who was more than just a baby—He was also true God. Ruth's incredible commitment to Naomi will change everything for both of these women! Amazingly, Naomi encourages Orpah to leave, even at the risk of Orpah losing her soul (v.15 "her gods"). We are “thrown together”! Ruth is confessing her faith in the one true God! ← Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next →. It’s the kind of promise that maybe we wouldn’t expect Ruth to make. And her desire to go with Naomi and live as one of God’s people in Israel—it was all the fruit of her faith in God. Orpah’s leaving with Ruth’s blessing was no less loving than Ruth’s continuing the journey. (:14b-16a) Committed to Leaving and Cleaving “but Ruth clung to her. Because of Ruth’s commitment and love for Naomi, and her refusal to turn back from what she knew was the path she should take, God blessed her tremendously. “When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her” (ch. Ruth’s commitment echoes Christ’s incarnation. Naomi felt that the only place she would be able to leave her daughters-in-law was on the open road, since it was a custom to accompany the departing relative or guest for a distance prior to their parting. First, we see Ruth's initiative to care for her mother-in-law. Both Orpah and Ruth obviously loved Naomi but do you think Ruth™s decision was only a matter of personal loyalty to her mother-in-law? 4:7-12 Ruth becomes wife to Boaz. Remember her single-minded commitment to faithfully love and care for the people that God placed in her life! Published in: The Bible Today, 32 [March 1994], 68-73. [6] Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the fields of Moab that the LORD had visited his people and given them food. Now, let me give you a quick synopsis of the Book of Ruth. There would be no area of separation. Relationships are covenants, not contracts. We know this from two verses. Ruth’s commitment to her God. They are not just some sentimental, wishy-washy feelings that were spoken in the moment. Ruths claim to Naomi (Ruth 1:16-17) Naomi says the Lord has forsaken her and she is bitter; The people of Bethlehem welcome them back and Naomi tells them to call her Mara (bitter) They return at the beginning of barley harvest; LESSONS FROM RUTH CHAPTER 1. And it’s in those fulfilled promises—because there is now peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ—that our Lord promises to deliver us! And in His death on the cross Jesus brought deliverance to the whole world—deliverance from sin, death, and the devil’s power. And because this love reflects the very nature of God, we will see His love, grace, steadfastness, compassion, patience, courage, forgiveness, truth, and strength played out within our relationships. NKJV Ruth 1:1-19a (esp. She honored her commitment to Naomi, instead of thinking of her own needs and chances for marriage. Part 24 - 07/01/10 God’s involvement in both good times, and bad. I’ve thought about this often. Naomi’s thinking made so much sense, in fact, that Orpah was persuaded. Ruth's Initiative to Care for Naomi. Naomi saw that there was no reason to stay together. It goes back to something Ruth said: “Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God” (v. 16). Naomi gave in to Ruth … So Ruth followed Naomi and came to Bethlehem in the land of Judah during the beginning of the barley harvest—early spring. The Gift of Ruth. The Point: Christ-centered living chooses commitment, not convenience. Be blessed. The Book of Ruth is the story of a woman whose devotion and loyalty provide an inspiring picture of faith and resilience. But the story doesn’t end there. A contract is self-centered but a covenant … Related Videos. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. This was a commitment even to death. God Uses Little Things for Great Things . I made a decision to follow Jesus at a very early age while my mom made cookies and I ate cookie doe. Ruth’s faithfulness to God brought her many blessings. Ruth is a foreigner with no cultural obligation to Naomi, Naomi’s people, or Naomi’s God. A. About the only other commitment that even comes close to the kind of commitment that Ruth makes here to Naomi is marriage. Ruth chose to follow the LORD and to accompany Naomi back to Bethlehem. God will honor you as you honor Him and those around you. Naomi was an Ephrathites of the tribe of Judah, from the town of Bethlehem. In 1:16 we learn that at the root of Ruth's commitment to Naomi is Ruth's commitment to Naomi's God: "Your God shall be my God." This was a commitment even to death. 4:16-17) Do we sometimes have a similar problem? Remember the deliverance of God that leads us to put our trust in Him. True commitment to others is reflected in every aspect of life. How deep was Ruth’s commitment to remain with Naomi? Naomi’s words in Ruth come alive on the page for this reason. She would abandon the gods of Moab, and Ruth and Naomi would both be committed to the one true God of Israel. As the three women set out, Naomi tells Ruth and Orpah to return to their mothers’ homes. She was burning her bridges behind her. A contract is built on expectations while covenant is built on relationships. And how does God do all that? So Ruth followed Naomi and came to Bethlehem in the land of Judah during the beginning of the barley harvest—early spring. As we noted in the previous section, Naomi’s family appeared to be a prodigal family running away from God’s will … 17 Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. In His life He delivered those ten men suffering from leprosy in our gospel lesson for today. Share Via. Day Four Study — The Walk From Fear To Faith. Instead these words are an affirmation of Ruth’s commitment to her mother-in-law, Naomi, after a series of losses devastated their family. How did Ruth respond (v. 16)? Ruth’s Commitment 15 November 2020 PM – Ruth 1:14-18 – Ru20 – Scott Childs Introduction: God has kept silent many of the details of Naomi’s character.We only see a glimpse here and there. I have an awesome family my wife and I have three amazing kids. 1:31. But Ruth wasn’t persuaded: “Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her” (v. 14). Ruth’s commitment echoes Christ’s incarnation. Jon Drebert tells us part 1 of the story of Naomi and Ruth. Jon Drebert tells us part 1 of the story of Naomi and Ruth. She and her husband moved there with their two sons, who eventually took wives while living in Moab. law, Ruth and Orpah. Verses 16-17 These two verses are amazing, considering the cultural differences between the two women and the seriousness of the commitment that Ruth was making to Naomi. He saw to it that the people who are in your life are in your life! Some of us were even older than that. - would go wherever Naomi went - renounced being a Moabite and become an Israelite (your people to be my people) - leave paganism and worship the True God (your God my God) - willing to die, in the Name of the Lord . Or again in verse 17: “Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried.” These words reveal a commitment to Naomi personally, but much more than that too. In other words, the context of these … Continue reading "Commentary on Ruth 1:1-18" These words were a vow, or perhaps we might say an oath. This promise Ruth makes to remain with Naomi and care for her is really an oath. Amen. Others were a little older. Go get married. When you make a commitment, be it working in your church’s nursery or a covenant of marriage, stay loyal to your commitment. Because of this, she was willing to leave behind everything she ever knew. Ruth swears to follow Naomi, to lodge where she lodges. A deeper dive into Ruth's Covenant with Naomi. 3 of 6. God brought you together! A little about me. Subscribe to iTunes Download MP3. In Ruth’s decision to follow Naomi, we see God’s sovereign grace to save Ruth and bring her into the family of Yahweh. She was going to remain totally committed to Naomi in life. But why? You didn’t just fall in together by accident. Ruth’s commitment to Naomi and the deep impact it would have on her life. While Orpah returned to her mother's home, Ruth clung to Naomi and told her that she will stay with her and that Naomi's God and people will be her God and people. Ruth and Naomi teach us that sacred relationships have God at the center. The devotion expressed by Ruth in the words of verse 16 comprises one of the most touching passages in all of human literature. For where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Ruth’s commitment to Naomi was more than a vow of friendship, but rather a decision that had far-reaching spiritual significance. Ruth not only promises—she swears by the name of the LORD that she will stay with her mother-in-law and live with her and even be buried where she is buried. Sometimes it can seem like we’re all just kind of thrown together—but it’s just the grace of God at work, bringing His deliverance, His help—to us, to others, and all those in need. Ruth 1:16 “And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:” We know Ruth as the quintessential representative of the grace of God. Remember Ruth’s commitment—her commitment to God that led to her commitment to her mother-in-law. As a young widow, it would be perfectly understandable for Ruth to pursue a new marriage and family at home, rather than caring for an old woman to whom she has no further ties, in a foreign land where she knows no one. 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