Good morning,
This week we will look at the book of Ruth. This is a love story. There is the love that Ruth had for Naomi. There is the love that Boaz had for Ruth. Then there is the love God has for His children. Only one of those loves is unconditional, redemptive, and eternal.
Please read Chapter one.
Chapter one tells us of a:
Famine in Bethlehem v1
Sojourn in Moab v1
Family v2
Death v3
Two marriages v4
Two deaths v5
Grieving mother telling her daughters to go back to their family’s v6-14
One leaves v14
One does not v15-17
Return to Bethlehem v18-22
The key to chapter one is found in verses 16 and 17. “And Ruth said, 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: 17 Where 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.”
Ruth made a decision to go with Naomi to Bethlehem. Her love for Naomi was stronger than her desire to return to her family. She had lived for ten years being influenced by Naomi and her Jewish roots. She made a choice to follow the God of the Bible, rather than to go back to Moabite paganism.
Who or what are you following today? Ruth gave up all she knew to follow Naomi and her God. Have you given up everything to follow the God of the Bible?
As we will see it was a very good decision for Ruth.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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