Saturday, December 10

Ruth 1:15-18

Martha McDearmon

Ruth 1: 15-18

Naomi said, “Look, your sister-in-law is going back home to live with her own people and gods, go with her.” But Ruth said, “Don’t force me to leave you; don’t make me go home. Where you go, I go; and where you live, I’ll live. Your people are my people, your God is my god; where you die, I’ll die, and that’s where I’ll be buried, so help me God – not even death itself is going to come between us!”  The Message – Eugene Peterson

Ruth, the young widow in the land of Moab, expresses these familiar words of love and loyalty to another widow, Naomi, her mother-in-law.  Naomi wants to return to her hometown in Judah, the town of Bethlehem. Naomi wants Ruth to return to her own hometown; to find a new life and a new husband.

However, Ruth does not want to leave Naomi, whom she loves and trusts.  So, Ruth and Naomi travel to Bethlehem where God’s plan for Ruth is revealed. Ruth meets and marries Boaz, and has a son, Obed. Obed is the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David. The family tree of Jesus Christ is shared in the Gospel of Matthew and Ruth is one of the few mothers who are named.

Ruth displays love and loyalty and trust to Naomi.  Her place in the family tree of Jesus displays God’s providence towards her.

An Ancient Prayer

Help us, O Lord, always to wait for You, to wish for You, and to watch for You, that at Your coming again You may find us ready; for Your sake we ask it. Amen.