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| The story of Ruth is a simple one. Naomi, her mother-in-law-to-be, moved from Bethlehem to Moab in time of famine, together with her husband and two sons. The boys married Moabite girls, Orpah and Ruth, and although Naomi lost her husband Elimelech very early after the move, it seems as if otherwise all was well for about ten years. Then tragedy struck again, as the two lads also died, leaving Naomi and her two daughters-in-law to fend for themselves.
As the economic situation at Bethlehem had by then greatly improved, Naomi determined to return to her homeland, and this meant that the two girls had to make decisions - would they go with Naomi, or would they remain in their own land? Orpah decided to stay, and kissed Naomi farewell, but in total contrast we read "Ruth clave unto her" (1:14). In spite of Naomi's advice - perhaps reluctantly given - Ruth determined to stay with her, "Intreat me not to leave thee", a resoluteness which implied total commitment to Naomi's God, Naomi's people, and Naomi's home.
Commitment to the Lord
Consider Ruth's commitment to Naomi's God, the LORD God of Israel. What a radical step this must have been, bearing in mind that she was a native of the land of Moab, to the east of the Dead Sea, and would have worshipped and sacrificed to many other so-called "gods" e.g. Baal (=Lord), Astarte (Baal's wife!), and Chemosh (god of war). Furthermore, Moab was a traditional enemy of Israel and so, by definition, antagonistic to Israel's God.
True the Moabites were of Semitic stock and spoke a language closely related to Hebrew, yet they were not the people of the Covenant. How like this is to mankind as a whole. Has not God "made of one blood all nations of men" (Acts 17:26)? Not all are God's children though; of the majority it must be said, "Ye are of your father the devil" (John 8: 44). Ruth, however, made the decision to "come out and be separate" and to say in her heart "O God, thou art my God" (Psalm 63: 1).
This was a definite cut-off point, a bold resolve to worship one God instead of many, to depart from the scene of idolatry and dwell in the Promised Land, to depend no longer upon her natural descent but to become grafted into the "good olive tree" (Rom. 11:24), and to step "out of darkness into His marvellous light" (1 Peter 2:9). Her relationship and commitment to Naomi entailed a dedication to the LORD Jehovah. She made a clean break with the past, forgetting those things that were behind and declaring, as it were, "As for me... I will serve the LORD" (Josh.24:15).
"In full and glad surrender I give myself to Thee;
Thine utterly, and only, and evermore to be."
This was the sentiment expressed by Ruth; this was the extent of her commitment to the God of Naomi.
A certain servant of the Lord in what was, at that time, the Congo, made a declaration of her dedication to Him as follows:- "Lord Jesus, I belong to Thee from head to foot, and will always be Thine, for Thou hast redeemed me. Thou art the King of my life and hast absolute and undivided rule over all my affections and will and desire. My chief aim in life shall be to please Thee, so do Thou change me and cleanse me and use me as Thou wilt."
Does this reflect your devotion to the Lord? Can you say: "The God of Naomi, of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, of Peter and Paul, of the Reformers, of countless Christians down the ages - He shall be my God" -without reservation or stipulation? Will you be able to say, when you see your Saviour face to face: "Behold, (I) have forsaken all, and followed Thee" (Matt. 19:27)?
Commitment to His People
Ruth's commitment was not only to God Himself, but to the people of God: "Thy people shall be my people". Indeed, the one entails the other for, as John tells us (1 John 4:21), "This is the commandment we have from him, that he who loveth God love his brother also". Is not this principle expressed in the prayer of Moses for sinful calf-worshipping Israel, "Forgive their sin - if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book" (Ex. 32:32), or of Paul who declared, "I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren" (Rom. 9:3)?
Joshua too, who requested Moses to restrain Eldad and Medad from prophesying because they did not belong to the group of seventy elders, was virtually told that there were others who also belonged to the people of God! Did not the disciples have to learn this lesson when John complained, "Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name ... and we forbade him because he followeth not us" (Mark 9:3840), and was consequently rebuked by Jesus, being reminded that there were others outside of the apostolic band who were also part of His family?
There is no place for false exclusiveness in the "church of the living God" for we are all members of one body, linked to the Head, yet interacting one with another (see 1 Cor.12:12-27). The true church is interdenominational, transcending all human organisation. It consists of those of all languages and cultures. Within its walls there is room for small differences of theological outlook - always provided that the principal doctrines of Scripture are not compromised. So, each one who confesses "This God is my God" must also acknowledge "God's people are my people".
"So now I am joined with the conquering band Who are marching to glory at Jesus'command."
Ruth was reminded that she was free to return to her own, to the people of Moab (Ruth 1:15), but she rather cast in her lot with the people of God - a decision which resulted in her ultimately being greatly blessed. So, in our service, our prayers, our thoughts and our attitudes let us be always mindful that we are part of that "great multitude ...of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues" which soon shall stand "before the throne, and before the Lamb" (Rev. 7:9) - His people and our people.
Commitment to a Home
The third aspect of Ruth's commitment was to Naomi's home. "Where thou lodgest I will lodge". As long as Naomi lives her dwelling shall be mine, and even when death calls her naught shall separate our mortal remains. "Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried" - Naomi's final earthly resting place shall be Ruth's also.
Every Christian is, as we have seen, part of the whole Church of Jesus Christ, which is His chosen bride. Nevertheless, it is desirable that each believer should have a spiritual home, a local church to which he or she is committed. Just as a child may belong to an extended family, members of which may reside in various places, yet have his own home together with parents and siblings, so does every child of God, although part of His worldwide family, need his own special domicile. Moving aroun7fusion, shallow experience, spiritual insecurity and lack of real lasting Christian fellowship. The new believer, in particular, can be quickly left open to "every wind of doctrine".
Commitment to a local church will express itself not only in formal membership (for which there would seem to be scriptural authority e.g. Acts 6; 1 Cor.S: 2; 1 Tim. 5:9), but in other ways.
There is Service - depending upon what gifts and abilities a person may have. It is worth noting here that both Stephen and Philip were willing to undertake the comparatively uninteresting task of "serving tables" in the beginning, but that God subsequently called them to another "higher" form of ministry.
Then there is Support - financially, according to one's means; certainly by consistency and faithfulness in attending the various meetings; by prayer - for the minister, leadership and individual members.
There is also Evangelism - not necessarily preaching from a pulpit or in the open air, but with a steady witness by word, action and attitude. A careful study of Acts 8: 1,4 will demonstrate that ordinary people were then responsible for spreading the gospel message.
It should also be remembered that the minister is an undershepherd, under the authority of the "Chief Shepherd" (1 Peter 5:4) and his work is greatly facilitated if he knows who his "sheep" are! The Bible does not recognise the concept of the "solitary Christian". Sometimes, of course, isolation is inevitable e.g. a sailor on a long voyage who is the only Christian member of the crew, or a believer in prison for the sake of the gospel. This though, is not the norm. In both Old and New Testaments we read of God's people being "gathered together", often for the purpose of corporate worship and mutual encouragement.
Ruth dedicated herself to Naomi's God, to Naomi's people, and to Naomi's home. Her name means "satisfied", and surely she found perfect satisfaction in her threefold commitment, even as will the Christian who loves his Master, his Master's people, his Master's Church.
At this time of the year we begin to think of that time when "the Word became flesh" - the first step in the commitment of the Lord Jesus Christ to the human race, a step which would lead to an ongoing commitment throughout His life, His death, His resurrection and even to this present time as "he ever liveth to make intercession" (Heb. 7:25).
Is not He, whose commitment was total to His Father's will, to His people whom He should save from their sins, and to His Church,worthy of our absolute devotion and loyalty?
"And Jesus, I have promised
To serve Thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow
My Master and my Friend."
May Ruth's commitment to Naomi be a reflection of our commitment to our Saviour!
David I Johnson
Originally published in November - December 2004 issue of Protestant Truth. |
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