Cling to What is Good

We’re beginning a new series on the book of Ruth! The story begins with Ruth’s decision to remain loyal to her mother-in-law Naomi after the death of her husband and in the midst of a famine. Readers are primed to celebrate this decision, but in her sermon, Deb had us pause and ask: Why did Ruth remain with Naomi rather than return to her own people? The answer teaches us what it means to be loyal not just to family, but to God:

I think there is another dimension to Ruth’s determination besides altruism. She knows that Naomi is good. She has experienced life with her as a faithful Israelite for a number of years and she has experienced the goodness of that life and of Naomi’s companionship. This goodness draws her to Naomi, and, in light of her experience, she is determined to go with what is good. It brings to mind the exhortation from Romans 12, verse 9, on how to live as God’s people: “Hate what is evil. Cling to what is good.” Ruth is choosing to make her home with good people in an uncertain environment rather than uncertain people in a comfortable environment. Ruth chose not to go back, but to go forward, even though the future with Naomi was far from certain. And she throws her lot in with Naomi completely: Your people will be my people and your God will be my God.