Ruth 1:6, 14-16

• The two daughters contrasted

Verse 6 tells us that Naomi “arose with her daughters-in-law that she might return from the country of Moab.” We wish for a moment to study these two young women. Both of them sought to show courtesy to Naomi. They proved that they were devoted to her by escorting her to the edge of their own country. When, however, they had arrived on the borders of Canaan, Naomi urged her daughters-in-law, saying, “‘Go, return each to her mother’s house. The Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me’” (v. 8 ).

• Orpah kissed her mother-in-law and returned. Ruth, however, gave an entirely different response.

She said to Naomi: “‘Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and ne’” (vv. 16, 17).

So it was that Ruth showed, not only the intensity of her love, but the deepness of her faith. It was not only to Naomi to whom Ruth pledged her fidelity, but it was to Naomi’s God. As we see Ruth leaving everything, we see her stepping out into the great unknown to a place where she had never trodden, to a land she had never seen. It was a walk of faith. Like Abraham, she went out, not knowing whereto she went.

God grant that we may have the faith which Ruth had; that we may turn our back upon the land of Moab. The truth is that God has called us out of the world. When Rebekah had received the servant of Abraham and heard his story concerning Abraham and Isaac, her mother said, “‘Will you go with this man?’ And she said, ‘I will go’” (Genesis 24:58). Then Eleazer and Rebekah made their way over the desert sands. Let us journey with them in spirit to the city whose Builder and Maker is God.

Guard your heart. Teach your children. Watch and pray. Walk in faith.