The Devotion of Ruth

"Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land" Ruth 1:1. A certain man named Elimelech, along with his wife and sons, sojourned into the country of Moab.

Elimelech was both a provider and a survivor. Even though famine had caused an acute change that threatened his existence, Elimelech was willing to do what he felt was in the best interest of those he loved. Moab was not the Promised Land, but it was better than a grave.

After a while in Moab, Elimelech died. I don’t know what happened, but I assume it was an unexpected event. After the death of her husband, Naomi, her two sons with their wives, remained in Moab for about ten years. Elimelech was able to guide his family into a situation where they were able to survive. His sons had gotten married and were apparently doing well.

Again, tragedy strikes Naomi, and she loses both her sons. Imagine the grief Naomi must have felt at this point. She has been deprived of her husband and all of her children. She has nothing left except two daughter in laws and a heart full of emptiness.

Ruth and Orpah, both widowed, join their mother-in-law and return to the land of Judah. Since Naomi has no more sons for her daughter-in-laws to marry, she gives them the option to return unto their homeland. Although Orpah, following her mother-in-law instructions, returns to her homeland, Ruth cleaves unto Naomi’s side. Her vow of devotion is one of the hallmark themes of loyalty. "Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: whither thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me."

Sound familiar? Actually, Ruth’s words to Naomi are part of the marriage vows that couples exchange during the most sacred event of their lives. Even though Ruth’s husband was dead, she refused to leave his mother alone. She honored her husband by taking care of his mother. Perhaps Ruth made this promise to her husband before he died. Even more likely is that Ruth was so full of love and faith, that the Spirit of God was able to use her in keeping alive the linage of the Messiah.

Just as Ruth’s vow to stay with her mother-in-law caused her to reap at the hands of Boaz, our vow of loyalty has great rewards also. Not only are we to be loyal to one another, God expects our deepest devotion to him as well. "He who comes to me, I will in no wise cast him out."

Even though Ruth’s devotion to Naomi led to a husband (Boaz), there was no way she could have known a Boaz was in her future. Even though Ruth ended up with a great harvest, she had to endure many nights of hunger pains. You see, Ruth had no other motivation to care for Naomi except love. And her devotion grew out of that love.

If we love God, we have the basis for devotion. We must be willing to die for the cause of Christ if it becomes necessary. But benefits of living for and being loyal to Him are more than we can imagine.

By Naomi J. Brown