Read Ruth 1:15–18
LOVE DECLARED
What difference does it make to know that you’re loved?
Poor Naomi is preparing to return to her homeland alone. But whilst she
believes her daughters-in-law should part ways with her, one of them isn’t so
sure. Instead of letting go, Ruth shows a dogged commitment in holding
tight to her stricken mother-in-law. Why?
Today, we see Naomi again trying to persuade Ruth to follow her sister-inlaw, Orpah, and turn back to Moab. As Naomi reminds Ruth, Orpah has
already decided to return ‘to her people and her gods’. According to Naomi,
Ruth should do likewise: ‘Go back with her’ (v. 15).
But upon reflection, Naomi’s plea is a rather strange one. After all, why
would a faithful Israelite encourage someone to carry on worshipping their
false gods?
Tragically, it seems Naomi’s comment was typical of God’s people during
the time of the book of Judges. People believed they could combine
worshipping the Lord with worshipping the false gods of neighbouring
nations.
RESTING IN THE ONE TRUE GOD
Strikingly, it seems that Ruth has a clearer grasp on who God is than Naomi.
It’s as if Naomi’s comment crystallises for Ruth her own decision to stick
with Naomi. As a consequence, we’re given one of the most stunning
declarations of love that you’ll ever read in a piece of literature:
Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be
my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will
be buried (vv. 16–17).
Together, these three sentences form a beautiful expression of hesed, the
Hebrew word for God’s covenant love. Unsurprisingly, it leaves Naomi
speechless (v. 18).
What are we to make of Ruth’s breathtaking declaration? What prompts
her to show such staggering kindness?
ENTRUSTED TO THE LORD
It’s important to see that this pledge isn’t just about Ruth’s relationship with
and commitment to Naomi. If it was, then why would Ruth commit to
staying in Naomi’s land beyond Naomi’s death? Rather, the motivation for
Ruth’s love for Naomi is a much more important relationship: Ruth’s
relationship with and commitment to the Lord. As Paul Miller notes, ‘The
form of Ruth’s poem, with God at the centre, mirrors the shape of her heart.’
2
In that culture, it was unthinkable to change your religion or citizenship.
You just didn’t do that. But Ruth has already done both.
And we assume that these weren’t changes that Ruth had simply made in
the moment. Over the years, she’d have learnt about the Lord’s character and
grace-filled promises, not least through the daily rhythms, behaviour and
conversations of Naomi and her sons.
So we can imagine that Ruth gradually came to a point where she knew
‘the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding
in love and faithfulness’ (Exodus 34:6) was the God to whom she could
entrust her life.
And when you’re certain of the Lord’s love for you, that changes
everything. As Naomi’s trust in God now faltered, Ruth had the opportunity
to demonstrate God’s radical hesed love back to her mother-in-law.
REFLECTION
Imagine this scene on the road to Bethlehem. How do you feel as you hear
Ruth uttering these words to Naomi? What does it remind you of? In Jesus,
God speaks these very words to you. What does that change for you? Spend
some time reflecting on how you might show this kind of covenant love this
Advent.
Listen to ‘May You Find a Light’ by Josh Garrels.
Paul Miller, A Loving Life (revised edition: Tyndale House Publishers, 2017), p. 38
Ham, Robin. Finding Hope Under Bethlehem Skies: An Advent Devotional. 10 Publishing, 2021.