Wherever you go, I will go…

Ten years earlier Naomi, with her husband and two sons, had journeyed to Moab because famine plagued their beloved Bethlehem. During their stay in Moab, Naomi’s husband died, her two sons married women of Moab; and next, of all downturns that could come, Naomi’s two sons died, also.

News of prosperity in Bethlehem reached Naomi. She and her daughters-in-law set out for Bethlehem. Along the way Naomi urged her two daughters-in-law to return to their families. Orpah at length gave in, said her goodbyes, and returned to her family.

But Ruth said, “Don’t coax me to leave you or to return from following after you, for wherever 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 hold me responsible if anything but death parts you and me.”

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Ruth – Woman of Destiny

Citizen of Moab
A nation polytheistic
Believing in many gods
Ruth married into a family
Monotheistic
Believing in One God

Naomi – mother of
Ruth’s deceased husband
Shared her faith with Ruth
Told her all about
The great God of Israel

The One God
Who would not share
His glory with another

Claiming to be Creator
Sustainer
Provider
Giver of life
Maker
Healer and Redeemer
Ruth clutched this God
With all her might
Forsaking all others
Embracing forever
The God of Naomi

Ruth chose her path
Never to deviate
Never to forsake
Her mother-in-law
Nor her faithful God

Ruth held in her grasp
The heart of her God
Becoming the woman
Who famously said
Wherever you go
I will go

Woman of faith
Daughter-in-law
Of the ages and
Great grandmother
Of King David
Courageous Ruth
Left all that was familiar
Gaining forever
The favor of God
Her future secure
Her destiny assured

By Carol Ann Hoel © January 12, 2011

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Link to the Book of Ruth in the Bible:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ruth+1&version=KJV

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