The story of Ruth and Naomi in the book of Ruth offers many valuable lessons about loyalty, love, and commitment. Here is an in-depth look at what we can learn from Ruth’s remarkable faithfulness to her mother-in-law Naomi.
Naomi’s Family Moves to Moab Due to Famine
The setting of the story begins during the time of the judges in Israel, when there was a famine in Judah (Ruth 1:1). Because of this, Naomi, her husband Elimelech, and their two sons Mahlon and Chilion left Bethlehem and moved to the nearby country of Moab, hoping to find food. As foreigners and Israelites, they were living in Moab but likely tried to maintain their Israelite customs and faith.
Naomi’s Sons Marry Ruth and Orpah
Naomi’s sons eventually married two Moabite women – Ruth and Orpah (Ruth 1:4). This was not in line with Mosaic law, which prohibited marriage to foreign women (Deuteronomy 7:3). However, their unlawful marriages show the family’s desperate situation as struggling foreigners in Moab. The text does not say whether they married for love or for survival. Either way, it was a culturally and spiritually mixed marriage.
Naomi Widowed and Childless
Disaster struck Naomi’s family when her husband Elimelech and her two sons Mahlon and Chilion died, leaving Naomi childless and without a provider (Ruth 1:3-5). In ancient Israelite society, this was one of the worst things that could happen to a woman. Widows were vulnerable and often marginalized. Naomi also lost her sons who should have provided for her and protected her in her old age. She was in a dire situation.
Naomi Decides to Return to Bethlehem
After losing everything in Moab, Naomi planned to return to her hometown of Bethlehem in Judah (Ruth 1:6-7). Word had reached her that the Lord had provided food and blessings back in Judah. Staying in a foreign land as a widow with no family meant almost certain destitution, so she decided to return to her people and land.
Naomi Releases Daughters-In-Law with Blessing to Return Home
Before leaving, Naomi released her daughters-in-law Ruth and Orpah from any obligation to her as their mother-in-law (Ruth 1:8-9). She blessed them and encouraged them to stay in Moab and remarry within their people. Naomi knew she could not provide husbands or homes for them in her condition. This showed great love and sacrifice, as she gave up the help and comfort they could have provided her.
Orpah Tearfully Leaves, But Ruth Stays in Loyalty to Naomi
Orpah was reluctant but finally accepted the logic of returning home to start over (Ruth 1:14). But Ruth clung to Naomi, insisting emphatically on accompanying her back to Judah (Ruth 1:16-17). Ruth’s vow to stay with Naomi was loyal and sacrificial. She left behind her people, land, and prospects of remarrying in Moab.
Why Was Ruth So Loyal to Naomi?
Ruth’s remarkable pledge of loyalty stemmed from the loving relationship that had developed between her and Naomi. The text implies they had a deep, loving bond, as Ruth would not forsake her. Ruth had also apparently come to faithfully trust in Naomi’s God. She expresses belief that Yahweh’s people will be her people and Yahweh will be her God (Ruth 1:16). Ruth committed to fully joining Naomi’s family and nation.
Ruth’s words to Naomi are some of the most moving statements of love and commitment in the Bible. Ruth called Naomi “my daughter” in tender affection, even though Naomi was her elder. She vowed to stay and die with her dear mother-in-law. She was giving up her past and identity to fully join Naomi’s life and future (Ruth 1:16-17). This went far beyond duty. It was a voluntary, unconditional commitment born of love.
What Ruth Sacrificed in Her Loyalty to Naomi
By sticking with Naomi, Ruth made huge personal sacrifices. She sacrificed her homeland and her people. She turned away from the familiar to live as a foreigner and stranger. She sacrificed the prospects of remarrying and having a family and home in Moab, leaving her destitute. Following Naomi to Judah also meant embracing Naomi’s people and God wholeheartedly. This was a massive cultural and religious change. Ruth sacrificed all personal security for long-term commitment to Naomi.
Ruth Demonstrates Christ-like, Covenant Love
Ruth’s pledge to Naomi mirrors the steadfast love and commitment between Christ and His church, between husband and wife, and between Christians in the body of Christ. As with Ruth, our loyalty is not based just on feelings but on covenant relationship. Like Ruth, we must demonstrate our loyalty through concrete acts of service, sacrifice, and commitment to the other person. Our loyalty originates in love and flourishes through consistent actions.
Ruth’s loyalty was not about personal gain. Rather, like Christ’s love, it was unconditional and self-giving. Our human relationships and church communities are strengthened when members show Christ-like, Ruth-like loyalty to one another, no matter what the personal cost. Such love and sacrifice open the door for God’s blessings, as Ruth’s story shows.
Ruth Demonstrates Loyalty of Character
Outward actions alone do not prove loyalty. The loyalty that honors God and others flows from strong inward character and integrity. Ruth evidently possessed this righteous character that undergirded her outward commitment to Naomi. Her actions gave powerful expression to her inner moral fiber.
Ruth’s integrity and godly motivations were consistently displayed throughout the story: in her dedication to Naomi, care for her needs in Bethlehem, moral purity with Boaz, and selflessness throughout. She was steadfastly loyal because she was a woman of godly character. Our faithfulness to others must similarly originate from Christlike character within.
Ruth ’s Loyalty Blesses Both Her and Naomi
Ruth could not foresee the blessings her loyalty and sacrifice would bring. She clung in faith to Naomi and God, despite a seemingly hopeless future. But her faithfulness and character led to rich blessings for both women. Ruth married an honorable, godly man in Boaz and bore a son who became the grandfather of King David. Naomi was comforted and sustained in her old age through Ruth’s care.
As Ruth was loyal to Naomi, God showed Himself faithful to Ruth. When we honor God through our loyalty and commitment to others, He notices and responds. Our loyalty blesses others and opens the door for God’s blessings in our own lives. Both the giver and receiver benefit when loyalty is maintained through difficulty.
Ruth Demonstrates Cross-Generational Loyalty
The loyalty between Ruth and Naomi crossed generations. Ruth honored her elder by pledging herself to Naomi’s care and wellbeing. Naomi, in turn, helped Ruth establish a new life and family in Judah. Ruth became like a daughter to Naomi.
Their story shows the blessings that flow in families, churches, and communities when different generations show Christ-like loyalty and commitment to one another. Younger members can bless older ones through respect, service, and care. Older members can guide and teach younger ones to establish strong, godly families and lives. Ruth and Naomi modeled this righteous interdependence and loyalty across generations.
Ruth’s Loyalty Required Initiative and Courage
Finally, Ruth’s loyalty demanded great courage, initiative, and risk. She actively pursued relationship with the unfamiliar Israelites in Bethlehem. As a destitute foreigner, she humbly went out to glean barley to support Naomi. She obeyed Naomi’s guidance to approach Boaz on the threshing floor at night, even though this could expose her to harm. Ruth’s loyalty was no passive, weak sentiment – it was an active, courageous commitment backed by initiative, resourcefulness and work. Her brave fidelity guides us to express Christ-like commitment and sacrifice boldly.
In conclusion, Ruth’s abiding loyalty to Naomi provides us a rich model of love, integrity, sacrifice, service, initiative, and courage for all believers. Through Ruth’s story, God calls us to demonstrate loyalty and covenant faithfulness in all our relationships: with Him, with other believers, and with all people. When we follow Ruth’s example of steadfast love and commitment, rooted in godly character, we will surely bless others – and find blessings ourselves.
