Unwavering Devotion
“
And she said, “See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more.”
Explanation: It is normally unwise to place all eggs in a single basket. Life is diverse, and we are often told to keep our options open. No financier worth his weight would tell you to invest in only a single stock, nor would any coach tell many 5’6 guys to pursue only an NBA career. Yet, Ruth missed this memo. In the wake of losing her entire family, she has nobody but her mother-in-law Naomi left. Her loyalty is transcendent, which bridges gaps between age and racial barriers. This is important, as Ruth’s all-in devotion to Naomi is a reflection of the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, and, by extension, Christ and his Church, which also transcends generations and all people groups as all are one in Christ.
Connection: In a culture obsessed with expedience, loyalty sometimes seems to be an afterthought. It seems we live in a culture whose motto is "what have you done for me lately" as opposed to any sort of allegiance to higher principles of loyalty. Even in the workplace where it used to be common for there to be mutual loyalty between company and employee appears to be a bygone day as it is rare for workers to remain at the same company for an entire career. With so much competition for our time and attention, it is no wonder that our relationships have suffered from a lack of loyalty. In fact, our notions of loyalty are so cheapened that companies often implement programs where your loyalty is solicited through additional perks – which is not necessarily a healthy notion of the term.
However, this passage from Ruth is widely known as a perfect example of loyalty. We often heard it read at weddings, for it is indeed a wonderful illustration of unwavering devotion to another. Yet, even Ruth's devotion to Naomi is but a glimpse of a larger truth. It is a shadow of the greater fulfillment to come in Christ, who is united to his bride - the church. Ruth's love for Naomi is an icon of the fierce loyalty of Christ to his bride - whom he will never leave not forsake. Where we went, he went - even down to Sheol to rescue us from the grave.
Action:
1. Be Truthful:
One way we can express our loyalty to others in our relationships is to practice honesty. Although it can be tempting to be dishonest to avoid hurting others feelings, such actions could also make you appear to be untrustworthy. Tempered honesty is important in healthy relationships, as the Proverb states: " Faithful are the wounds of a friend" (Prov 27:6).
2. Avoid Quarrels:
Gossip is tempting to indulge in. It pricks at our inner core and beckons us to vent about others behind their back. Rather, when you have issues with people in your life it is always best to engage respectfully with them in a direct manner. It is better to be thought honest than to be thought disloyal (Prov 16:28).
3. Follow Through:
Scripture teaches us to follow through on our commitments and to practice what we preach (Num 30:2, Matt 5:33). Thus, make it a priority to always follow through on your commitments so that those who see you will give glory to God.