Core verses in this chapter: v14 'Then they lifted up their voices and wept again and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law but Ruth clung to her. And v16-17: 'But Ruth said: entreat me not to leave you or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go. And wherever you lodge I will lodge. Your people will be my people. And your God my God. Where you die, I will die. And there I will be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me'.
These two verses show Ruth's (meaning friend) dedication to stick with her widowed mother-in-law and her commitment to Naomi's people and Naomi's God although it wasnt Ruth's people nor her God as she was not an Israelite. Maybe it also shows her love/dedication for her dead husband as well as her love for her mother-in-law? She was willing to give up everything (her future, marriage, providence...) to support her mother-in-law.
Naomi, the mother-in-law who's name means pleasant, lovely, delightful is seriously hurt and angry with God for the pain she has had to suffer. She lost her husband and two sons and now with little hope of a future, returns to her home country Moab with Ruth at the beginning of the harvest and wishes to change her name to Mara meaning bitter. Orpah, the wife of Naomi's second dead son decides, after Naomi's advice, to return to her home in the hope of finding a new husband and future. Only Ruth is stubborn/dedicated enough to stay with Naomi whatever the cost.
The dedication of Ruth gives insight of God's dedication to us. It is also a great example of how we can commit our lives to God by following Him wherever He goes, no matter what the cost.
I can't help but be reminded of Sister Act's final song I will Follow Him. The love of these nuns for their God/husband/Companion/Comforter/Provider... Beautiful!
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