July 16, 2008
Ruth's Dedication to Naomi and Proclamation of Faith in Israel's God
Read Ruth 1:14-18
This is an amazing proclamation of faith. Ruth decides to follow Naomi no matter
what the cost. She leaves behind her own family and friends. She was likely never
to see or talk to them again. She leaves behind the only place, the only culture, she
has ever known. This is not only a decision for Naomi, but it is a commitment to
God. Naomi must have been an amazing woman whose faith in God was so
apparent that Ruth couldn't imagine not going with her and being a part of God's people.
The number seven is an important number in Scripture. Seven is the number of
completeness. Remember that on the seventh day creation was complete and
God rested. In Revelation 1:20, there are seven stars, seven lamp stands, seven
angels, and seven churches. Seven also represents the Gentile nations asthe number
twelve represents Israel. It is not coincidental that in Matthew 14:13-21, when
Jesus feeds the 5,000 in a Jewish area, there are 12 baskets of leftovers. In
Matthew 15:29-39 when he feeds the 4,000 in a Gentile area, there are seven.
In this passage, Ruth, who is a Gentile, makes seven points. Her commitment is
complete.
1. Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you - Ruth is saying
to Naomi not to ask her not to go back because she won't.
2. Where you go, I will go - Ruth is making a decision to go with Naomi.
3. Where you stay, I will stay - Ruth will not only go, she will identify herself with Naomi. She accepts Naomi's poverty and seemingly hopeless future.
4. Your people will be my people - Ruth forsakes her own people to identify
5. Your God will be my God - Ruth makes a commitment to the God of Israel as
the one true God.
6. Where you die, I will die and there I will be buried - Ruth says the hope of Israel is her hope. Hope is in the land. This is similar to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph, who made sure they were buried in the land.
7. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me - Ruth is making a decision that is forever.
What amazing faith! We have to assume thatsince Ruth was married to one of
Naomi's sons and in that culture the wife became a part of the husband's family,
she must have known about the God of Israel. She wasn't making a blind
commitment to an unknown god. She could also see Naomi's faith in the one true God.
Is the hope of heaven in you contagious? Do others see God reflected in your
behavior and actions? I have long been nervous about evangelism. It is clear that it
is not one of my spiritual gifts, but I have learned that doesn't let me off the hook.
Jesus commissioned every Christian to "go and make disciples." Discipleship starts
with sharing our faith. I don't have to knock on strangers' doors or hand out tracts.
I can just live my life in such a way that, like Naomi, others are drawn to God.
And so can you.
