Commitment

Ruth 1:16-17:

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 shall be my people,

And your God, my God.

Where you die, I will die,

And there will I be buried.

The Lord do so to me, and more also,

If anything but death parts you and me."

Commitment is the foundation for every relationship. Ruth willingly accepted an unsettled future and bound herself by solemn oath not only to Naomi but also to the God of Israel. Ruth officially joined the people whose God was Yahweh. He had become her God as well as Naomi's and was the present witness to and future judge of all subsequent activities. A commitment described by permanent bonding of hearts and pervasive linking of lives extends beyond a passing companionship.

Ruth 1:14: "Then they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her".

Ruth 2:8: "Then Boaz said to Ruth, "You will listen, my daughter, will you not? Do not go to glean in another field, nor go from here, but stay close by my young women".

Ruth "clung" to Naomi (the same word is translated "stayed close"). This covenant language is also used to describe the intimate relationship between husband and wife (Gen 2:24) and to picture the faithfulness of God to His covenant people (Deut 10:20). The word describes friendship more binding than brotherhood.

Gen 2:24: "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh".

Note: The marriage covenant has 3 parts:

1. to leave father and mother, a reference to the wedding ceremony or time of public commitment,

2. to "be joined", suggesting tender affection and faithful commitment in a permanent relationship of growing love, and

3. to "become one flesh" in physical union, which notes the deepest and most exclusive intimacy.

Deut 10:20: "You shall fear the Lord your God; you shall serve Him, and to Him you shall hold fast, and take oaths in His name".

A foundation of purposeful love and the outworking of devoted deeds set Ruth's commitment apart from verbal cliches and the whim of momentray emotions. Ruth left her pagan homeland on her own initiative, despite the protest of her mother-in-law, in order to come under the "wings" of God.

Ruth 2:12: "The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge".

Ruth offered herself first to Naomi and ultimately to God.

"Following Jesus" is the definition of "commitment". Commitment demands a choice. The choice to commit is the same for all believers- either we den ourselves or deny Him; either we go His way, or we pursue our way.

The disciples were to take up their crosses daily (Mark 8:34). Carrying the cross was a public declaration of Rome's authority. Jesus challenged them to put themselves voluntarily under God's authority, doing His will His way. Commitment demands action; it cannot be divorced from responsibility. Talk about Christ would be meaningless without the walk with Him. Ruth's words of commitment to Naomi did not speak as loudly as her actions to leave her family and homeland to return with Naomi to Bethlehem.

Commitment limits choices because it is exclusive. Commitment builds up faith and develops character. It is a spiritual discipline (Prov 16:3). It is a lifetime venture, requiring time, work and determination (Matt 16:24).

Prov 16:3: "Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established". (Commit= lit. "roll" or "roll away". Carries the idea that each woman should roll her efforts or roll away her burdens on the Lord)

Matt 16:24: "Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me".

The Woman's Study Bible NKJV, 2nd edition. Thomas Nelson, Inc.