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The Value Of Loyalty
In The Life Of Ruth

But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” Ruth 1:16-17

Ruth was quite a lady. A family had moved to her town from Israel. She had met and married one of their sons. In less than ten years, she had become a widow. In that time, she had seen something different about this family. Their customs were different, their religion was different, their hopes and dreams were different. Even though they lived in Moab, they didn't quite fit in. Yet in all that, something still drew her to them, especially Naomi.

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Maybe when Naomi's husband died, she saw the strength that would sustain her when her own husband died. Whatever it was, Ruth developed a strong loyalty to Naomi and the family she had married into. She became totally committed.

Ruth's sister-in-law, Orpah, also had a strong attachment to Naomi. She, also, had seen and felt the things Ruth had - including the loss of her husband. But while her attraction was real and strong, it was founded on self-interest. Even though it was emotionally heart-rending, she would cut her ties with Naomi and float back into her routine, her family, her gods. It was comfortable. It was familiar. Her father would provide for her until she married again. So Orpah fades from the pages of history. Undoubtedly a good young lady from a natural viewpoint, but unwilling to rise above her own concerns.

Ruth's loyalty, by contrast, was total commitment. Her focus was on her relationship with Naomi. She loved her beyond herself. She would change her culture. She would change her nation. She would abandon her gods and embrace the God of Israel. She would not be deterred. She would be loyal until death. She had a holy stubbornness that we need as Christians.

As such, Ruth is a picture of Christ. Jesus' loyalty to the Father was total…and would take Him to the cross. He never sought anything for Himself. His concern was the Father's honour and glory. Jesus never even did anything independently. His loyalty and obedience were complete.

What about us? How loyal are we? Do we have a stubborn loyalty to Jesus Christ and the Word of God? Or is Christianity basically a self-help program to be abandoned if it doesn't live up to our expectations? Are we willing to compromise the Word of God with evolution, gay marriage and other social issues which make it unpopular in the eyes of the world? Are we willing to bear shame and rejection to maintain our loyalty, or will we turn back and fade into the world's system?

How about our local church? How loyal are we? Do we criticize and complain, or are we loyal? Do we jump to a new church every time we get upset, or do we stay where God planted us? Do we support it faithfully with our finances?

God values loyalty to Himself and His Word. While many in the world may sneer at the concept [unless they can manipulate it for their own benefit], the mature Christian remains loyal. He or she does not understand everything about God or what is written in the Word of God…no one even comes close to that! At times life may be confusing or hurtful, but like Ruth loyally clinging to Naomi, they cling to the Lord Jesus Christ. Nothing, not even death, will shake them.

Biblical References

Book of Ruth, Matt. 1:5

Glenn Davis is a Christian author and Bible teacher whose work draws on more than 40 years of study, writing, and teaching in local churches. He has written 700+ articles, created five Bible courses, published three books, and shared 300+ Bible videos on YouTube. Readers can find his books on Amazon, follow his teaching on YouTube or visit Glenn Davis Books. Away from the keyboard, he enjoys time with family, reading, walking, and board or card games.

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