Ruth and Naomi

In my daily reading of the bible today, I read the Book of Ruth. It is only four chapters long, and it seems like an easy read. It is about two widows, a woman and her childless daughter-in-law, who seek redemption through the older woman's . The daughter-in-law, Ruth, vows that she will follow her mother-in-law, Naomi, back to her country. Ruth leaves her own family and upbringing behind. My favorite verse of that Book is

Ruth 1:16

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.

Ruth had the opportunity to go back to her own relatives after her own husband of ten years died and her mother-in-law was headed back to where she came from, but she chose to stay with her mother-in-law. Naomi had such an impact on Ruth that Ruth did not want to leave her. She found that YAHWEH was the true God, forgiving and loving and welcoming. She gave up all she knew for the unknown. She travelled to a foreign country, where her husband's family was from, not knowing if they would accept her. She vowed that she would help take care of Naomi, and she did. Ruth ended up marrying her father-in-law's relative, Boaz, thus continuing his family line. Boaz was the redeemer who allowed Naomi to keep her land and have grandchildren. Boaz (fro the tribe of Judah) and Ruth are ancestors to King David, and ultimately, Jesus.

Continue your work of showing and teaching others that our God is the true God. Everything else is false and useless. Jesus is the Redeemer of us all.