Finding Safety in God's Care, the Story of RuthSample

Ruth chooses to stay with Naomi — and with Naomi’s God

“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.’” (Ruth 1:16-17)

Naomi travels to Israel and advises her daughters-in-law to stay in their own country. Orpa gives in. Ruth does not. She is determined to stay with her mother-in-law, belong to His people, and serve her God. At a time when the people of Israel are largely unfaithful to the Lord and people from other nations (like Ruth herself) experience great obstacles if they want to belong to Him, Ruth takes refuge under God's wings (see Ruth 2:12). She is loyal to the God of Israel and to His people.

We do not know to what extent Ruth already knows Him personally. Her in-laws have apparently told her about Him, but Naomi's example does not seem very inviting. She experiences the Lord primarily as a punishing God. This makes Ruth's decision all the more striking.

In the Bible, we find more people who make the decision to follow the Lord. Joshua, for example, declares before an entire people, “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!” (Joshua 24:15).

Joshua already knew the Lord well. Ruth was still at the beginning of her relationship with Him. Have you made up your mind yet? Do you choose to serve the Lord God?