Whither Thou Goest: Ruth 1

This is a crucial book in the Old Testament. It is very important to the overall story of the Bible.

If Naomi had left Ruth, or if Ruth had left Naomi, Jesus would not have been born in Bethlehem.

Ruth made a commitment to Naomi's...

1. Home (v. 7). She left her own home to live with Naomi and her family.
2. Family (v. 14). Ruth was an asset to her family until her husband died, then she became a liability. Even though Ruth encouraged her to back to her family in Moab, Ruth was committed to Naomi.
3. God (v. 16). Ruth rejected her Moabite gods to embrace the faith of Naomi and the God of Israel.

Ruth's commitment was an eternal commitment. She promised to be with Naomi until she died.

Finally, the Scripture tells us that Naomi left Bethlehem full. When she left she not only had a family and resources, she also had the blessing of God. It could be that she left the land of God's promise, and that precipitated the loss of God's blessing. When she came back to Bethlehem Naomi says that she was empty. She had lost the blessing of God.

You and I must be careful to make commitments to follow God no matter what, and to stay in the center of his blessings.