Whither Thou Goest
Passage: Ruth 1:1-22
Famine drove Elimelech's family to Moab, where the men died.
Overview
Naomi urged her daughters-in-law to go home. Orpah kissed her and left, but Ruth clave to her: 'whither thou goest, I will go... thy God my God.' Naomi said, 'Call me Mara.'
Going deeper
Ruth's commitment is covenant loyalty and a confession of faith in Israel's God. Naomi's honest bitterness is not condemned.
Key verses (KJV)
- Ruth 1:16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
- Ruth 1:17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
- Ruth 1:20 And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.
From the commentaries
Ru 1:19-22. They Come to Beth-lehem. 19-22. all the city was moved about them—The present condition of Naomi, a forlorn and desolate widow, presented so painful a contrast to the flourishing state of prosperity and domestic bliss in which she had been at her departure.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown, Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory (1871)
Verse 16 And Ruth said - A more perfect surrender was never made of friendly feelings to a friend: I will not leave thee - I will follow thee: I will lodge where thou lodgest - take the same fare with which thou meetest; thy people shall be my people - I most cheerfully abandon my own country, and determine to end my days in thine. I will also henceforth have no god but thy God, and be joined with thee in worship, as I am in affection and consanguinity. I will cleave unto thee even unto death; die where thou diest; and be buried, if possible, in the same grave. This was a most extraordinary attachment, and evidently without any secular motive. The Targum adds several things to this conversat
Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke's Commentary (1810-1826)
Application
- What does Ruth's loyalty cost her?
- Is it right to be honest with God like Naomi?
- To whom is God calling you to be loyal?