Ruth- Refugee Set FreeSýnishorn

 LOYALTY

Everyone has experienced broken community. Misunderstanding, conflicting interests and self-centeredness threaten to undo relationships at every turn. People avoid each other when friendships get complicated. When a business is in trouble, partnerships dissolve as blame clouds the relationship. Marriages often break up when differences cannot be resolved.

God’s desire for us is that we would experience the beauty of a truly committed relationship: one that weathers the storms and lasts through good and bad times alike. In this kind of relationship, we glimpse the fellowship of the Trinity, and we live out our calling as image-bearers of God.

In our reading today, we see Ruth exhibiting this kind of loyal commitment and love toward her mother-in-law Naomi. At great personal sacrifice, Ruth is committed to Naomi’s well-being; as a result, Naomi will never be alone again. Ruth’s sacrifice involves obeying Naomi’s instructions, living in Naomi’s land, joining Naomi’s people and becoming a follower of Yahweh, the God of Israel.  

The loyalty and love that Ruth shows Naomi is a beautiful picture of God’s covenant love for his people. God’s covenant love for us is beyond any love that we will ever experience in this world. He loves us not because we have earned his love or deserve it. His love is unconditional, immeasurable and without end. In His covenant with Israel, God says: “I will be their God and they will be my people” (Jeremiah 31:33). God’s people may not always act like his people, but God’s commitment never changes, never wavers.

In God’s sovereign plan, Ruth’s loyalty leads her to experience his love and faithfulness, and this love sets Ruth free. All who come to God in faith will be set free by His love!