Scripture
“I will go where you go, I will live where you live; your people will be my people, your God will be my God.”
Observation
The story of Ruth is one of those stories where God uses famine and tragedy to test the character of people and in fact to bring out the best in them.
A man called Elimelech from Bethlehem, and his wife Naomi and their sons are forced by famine to migrate. They settle in Moab where Elimelech dies and the two sons marry and subsequently die childless.
Naomi returns to Judah, but she sends the two daughters-in-law back to their homes. At her insistence, Orpah goes but Ruth clings to her and vows to go wherever Naomi goes and to remain always faithful to her.
Application
Ruth's loyalty to her mother-in-law is unshakeable, Even though the men who had brought them together had died, Ruth felt a great kinship with Naomi.
This is the kind of strong loyalty ties that are supposed to exist within the church. Pastors should not be mere employees on a contract. People should not find it easy to change churches or move locations when relationships get a little challenging or greener pastures beckon.
Our hearts in the Christian community should be so knitted together and lives intertwined that leaving is not an easy option. That's not to say that the church should be like a cult which holds people captive. No, the commitment has to be a voluntary giving of the heart, just as Ruth and Orpah were free to follow or return home.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, let your love so flow among your people that we demonstrate the same kind of covenant loyalty that Ruth and Naomi shared. Help us to give our hearts freely to one another that the world is astounded by your love. Amen.
Can you imagine how awesome a person Naomi must have been to have received such tribute from her dauther-in-law!
ReplyDeleteIt must have been a wonderful friendship that they shared.
ReplyDelete