Ruth 1:16 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.
Ruth was a
girl from Moab, but after living as the daughter in law of Naomi a Jewess she
decides to commit herself wholeheartedly to her. Her husband has died as has
the husband of Naomi. Naomi is going home a bitter and broken woman. Ruth
decides against all cultural norms to do the opposite of her sister and stay
with Naomi, embracing her God and her people. This could have meant staying
single in a foreign land when the identity of a woman came from her husband.
Ruth paid the price and left her people. The fact that this story of everyday
people, not leaders, prophets or priests finds a place in the Bible illustrates
God’s compassion and love for all peoples. When his chosen people were often
too proud and looked down on the nations around them this account highlights a
noble foreigner and she is forever remembered for her loving commitment to a
hurting widow who had not only lost her husband but her two sons as well. Are
we willing to reach through whatever social, or cultural barriers may exist to
express God’s love to those in need?
Father may we be truly compassionate not coldhearted,
reach out with your loving kindness not hold back.
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