Scripture
16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.”
Reflection
There are so many lessons to be learned from the book of Ruth. Her story and testimony overflows with the sense of loyalty and love towards Naomi, her mother-in-law, and similarly towards the Israelites and God, as she, a Moabite woman, declared: “Your people will be my people and your God my God”. Ruth’s attitude was unwavering! There is a Hebrew word for this loyal, unmerited love displayed by Ruth. It’s called hesed (literally “loyalty born from love”).
Logically speaking, it didn’t make sense for Ruth to follow Naomi back to Israel- it would be harder for her to remarry and as a foreigner she would be considered an outcast, yet it is through her that we see love overflowing. Naomi found in Ruth the support and encouragement in a time of loss and hopelessness. The hesed of the Lord is evident throughout the book! As the story unfolds we see God’s loyalty and faithfulness to Ruth as she meets Boaz and eventually marry him.
How can we tangibly show our love and loyalty to God and His people today by worshiping Him and serving others?
Thoughts for the day
- What does this passage tell you about God or Jesus?
- What do you feel God is telling you through this passage?
- How can you apply this message in your current situation
Prayer
Today, take a moment, wherever you are, to PAUSE in God’s presence. Find a spot where you can stop and be quiet for a minute.
