S) "10 And they said to her, 'No, but we will surely return with you to your people.' 11 But Naomi said, 'Return, my daughters. Why should you go with me? Have I yet sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? 12 Return, my daughters! Go, for I am too old to have a husband. If I said I have hope, if I should even have a husband tonight and also bear sons, 13 would you therefore wait until they were grown? Would you therefore refrain from marrying? No, my daughters; for it is harder for me than for you, for the hand of the Lord has gone forth against me.'
14 And they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her."
Ruth 1:10-14 (NASB)
O) This is kind of a long passage to highlight, but Ruth's story is one of the most romantic in the Bible, and also one of the best at foreshadowing the Gospel. So, I wanted to be sure that I journal about its beginnings with a fair amount of attention. It's noteworthy that in vv. 8-9, not only does Naomi genuinely encourage both daughters-in-law to return to Moab, to their fathers' houses, she actually blesses them! That's important to note, because their reaction in v.10 is not one said of guilt or some compulsion, but sincere love for Naomi. Then, their mother-in-law makes a compelling argument for their departure. And now, we see the faithfulness of Ruth fully tested and fully proven. Not only is she legally allowed to leave, she is emotionally relieved to do so by Naomi's blessings. Furthermore, Naomi gives her a very logical, reasonable, compelling argument for leaving. Beyond that, there is the indirect peer pressure of knowing that her sister-in-law is making the choice to leave*. Not to mention the pressure of returning to her own family, and what their expectations were. But Ruth, through all of these reasons, is convicted to stay. Her obedience to those convictions is the start to, at least, one of, the most beautiful romances in the Bible.
*I am not arguing against the other daughter. She may have followed her own convictions correctly, just in a different area of obedience, to a different, justified, end.
A) There is a fairly straightforward application of this passage, in that, I need to follow through with my convictions. One thing that occurs to me as I type this out, is that Ruth listened to all of the facts. In a similar way, when I am faced with a big decision, and I have a particular conviction about it from the start, that doesn't mean that I should shut out, or cut off, all arguments against my conviction. It is completely appropriate to seek counsel, consider alternatives, and get all of the facts. If, after all of that, my convictions are still there, then I need to follow through. The only thing that should override my convictions automatically, and every time without fail, is the Bible. It is absolute in its authority over me. Ultimately, it is my hope, that my convictions will start with the Word, and go from there. Then I need to be careful to consider the wisdom of men of God around me, who have carefully studied the Scriptures as well, so that I am careful to correctly understand whatever I am reading (which is good discipline anyway).
P) Father, liven the Holy Spirit within me, to speak to my heart as I study Your words. I want to start from a place that is correctly discerning and understanding Your words, and that is only done through the power of the Holy Spirit. Let me also be teachable, always, so that I am counseled by other righteous men, again through Your word, primarily. Humble me, if I do not humble myself, and open my eyes to see, and my ears to hear, so that I am correctly convicted. Then, Lord, I will determine to follow those convictions, being sure that my convictions are through a solid foundation, built on Jesus Christ, the Word, and directed by the Holy Spirit, to walk in obedience, following Your Way. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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