“But Ruth replied {to Naomi}, ‘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. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separate you and me.’ “ – Ruth 1:16-17 [NIV]
This beautiful passage of scripture is often quoted in marriage ceremonies as part of the troth between groom and bride. But actually, this is the vow that was made by a daughter-in-law to her mother-in-law. The Moabitess, Ruth, widow of Naomi’s son (we assume Kilion—see v. 5, the second son mentioned, because Ruth’s name was mentioned second as a daughter-in-law to Naomi) could not let Naomi go back to Bethlehem alone from Moab after she had lost husband Elimelech, and sons Mahlon and Kilion. Orpha went back to her people and her gods in Moab, but Ruth chose to go with Naomi to Bethlehem in Judah, to believe in Naomi’s God, and to become one with Naomi’s people. What love had that daughter-in-law for her mother-in-law!
God was in the decision and in the journey to this new country for Ruth. We know the beautiful story. Boaz saw Ruth gleaning in his fields. He ordered his servants to leave more of the grain so Ruth could gather more for her and his kinswoman, Naomi.
Naomi had other plans for Ruth. She hoped Ruth and Boaz might marry. Ruth, in a set-up planned by Naomi, went obediently to Boaz’s threshing floor one night. He would be a good match for Ruth. But before the noble Boaz made any rash move toward Ruth, he remembered another man, a kinsman-redeemer, closer in kin to Naomi and Ruth, who was next in line to marry Naomi’s daughter-in-law as the custom of the land held. Boaz met the man in question at the city gate and told him his duty was to purchase the land belonging to Elimelech and marry the widow, Ruth. This kinsman redeemer is not given a name, but he did not want to jeopardize his own property by buying that of Elimelech. By removing his shoe and giving it to Boaz, he indicated in legal terms that Boaz could himself step up to the position of kinsman-redeemer for Naomi, and consequently be free to marry Ruth. And all the elders at the gate blessed the transaction, praying for Boaz and Ruth that their offspring would be “like that of Perez whom Tamar bore to Judah ( Ruth 4:12).
God, who was evidently guiding this transaction, took over and blessed the union of Boaz and Ruth. In due season they had a son, Obed, and Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David. And in due season, Jesus Christ the Lord was born “of David’s line.” Ruth, the Moabitess, was in the direct descendancy of the Messiah of the Ages!
Where is God in times of crisis and great pain? He is working His purposes out.
Trial and tragedy can bring surprising responses. The love of a daughter-in-law for her mother-in-law brought joy from sorrow. God did not depart from Naomi and Ruth but worked in every-day events to fulfill His holy purpose. Ruth’s fervent declaration to her mother-in-law is one of the most beautiful statements of family relationships and love in the entire Bible. Ruth’s vow affirmed the desire to be together, to face life’s challenges together, and to worship the same God, With such a vow, Ruth set herself in a giving position so that God could use her to bless not only Naomi and Ruth, but even all the nations of the world. Selah!
c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Thursday, February 25, 2010
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