Ruth 1:15-18
“Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.”
Naomi tries to use peer pressure to rehearse Ruth into turning back, but Ruth does not give in…
But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.
Once Naomi realized that Ruth was determined, she gave up trying to convince her otherwise. Naomi is unsure of how things will work out, but we see Ruth’s faith coming through. She is adamant that she is supposed to go. She knows in her heart it is the right thing to do, to remain committed to Naomi and her new life. Ruth does not give up on her! She even reminds Naomi of her decisions to go to Bethlehem. Ruth understands the importance of being with your own people and most importantly trusting in the Lord’s plan. Ruth is willing to not only accept the Lord but also accept His punishment for anything she may do to cause the two women to be apart (even in death).
Have you ever experienced a time in your life where someone has tried to persuade you to do something different from what you felt in your heart was the right thing to do? Were you as strong and determined as Ruth?
