Bible Study Notes
Family as Community - Ruth 1:1-16 Part III
Ruth 1:13-16 – The Vow of Commitment
Ruth’s reply to Naomi’s urgings surpasses her selfless love. For the rest of human history, these two
women will teach generations what community and family really are. Immediately, we assume communities develop
around people who share common interests.
Usually, we associate communities with people from similar backgrounds,
education, values, economic status and aspirations. We define families with strict biological,
genealogical and genetic connections. In
disagreement, Ruth and Naomi establish familial and communal bonds that emerge
from faith, commitment and willingness to share another person’s burdens and
blessings. Observing Naomi’s character
and genuine faith in God motivates Ruth to offer her immortal words of
commitment. Plausibly, Ruth admires
Naomi’ s steadfast faith in God despite the famine that led to her stay in Moab
Let’s examine exactly what Ruth pledges. First, she appeals to Naomi to cease from
urging her to leave or return to Moab.
Second, Ruth promises to go wherever Naomi goes. This component of the vow is reminiscent of
God’s directive to Abram; go to the place where I send you. Ruth agrees to follow God’s instructions as
He reveals them to Naomi. Third, Ruth pledges
to assume Naomi’s family as her very own.
That pledge is a critical commitment considering the racial, cultural
and national tensions between the Israelites and Moabites. Plus, Ruth has no assurance Naomi’s family will
receive her as favorably as her mother-in-law has. Yet, Ruth agrees to overcome all necessary
human, relational and social barriers to ensure continual fidelity and growth in
her relationship with Naomi. Furthermore,
Ruth swears to change her religion; she will begin serving the God of Israel
instead of the deities of Moab whom she worshiped previously. Essentially, Ruth vows to become a Jewish
convert; she will begin to follow the Law of Moses with its many dictates
revealing the holy character and Name of Almighty God. Ruth seals her vow of commitment with the
final plank of requesting severe divine judgment should she fail to keep her
commitment.
Ruth and Naomi’s dedication to each other exemplifies the commitment
that disciples of our Lord are to have toward Him and each other. More specifically, their relationship and vow
illustrate the undying covenant that a husband and a wife share in
marriage. God perfectly intends only
death separates a man and woman who share Ruth’s vow of commitment. Undergirded by God’s love in Christ, this unparalleled
vow distinguishes Christian men and women in marriage and ministry within the
body of Christ. The Lord says the love we
show toward each other will demonstrate uniquely to the world that we are His
disciples (John 13:34-35 and John 15:9-17).
Concluding Reflections
Families are the primary communities to which we belong. In the nuclear family unit, we receive our
first lessons of life relating to faith, education, commitment, values, work,
and ambition. We learn to love God and
neighbor because our parents or primary caretakers teach us the importance of
genuine spirituality. In fact, we learn
to love ourselves because our mothers and fathers teach us about our uniqueness
as children of God. Additionally, as
members of families, we learn how to care about others and share our resources
of time, talent, treasure and temperament with them. The lessons in the family community extend to
the Church and larger society. Interestingly,
the Lord Jesus Christ redefines the family and in so doing He revises the
traditional notions of the purpose and composition of a community. Once when told that His mothers and brothers
were waiting to see Him, Jesus responds, “Whoever does God’s will is my brother
and sister and mother.” Assembled for
this individual and collective purpose, members of the Church expand upon the
love, care, grace and support of a nuclear family.
Three Personal Objectives
- Reconsider our
traditional understanding that biology, genealogy and legacy determine a
family.
- Evaluate the
ways in which our nuclear family constitutes our primary learning
community.
- Discuss the
Lord’s definition of family as recorded in Matthew 3:31-35.
Prayer
Our dear, gracious Heavenly Father, enable us to see each other as You
see us. We are all Your children. By the power and gift of the Holy Spirit,
open the eyes of our hearts and reveal to us the spiritual truth that we are
related through Your blood. Teach us to
be a loving and caring community in obedience to Your Word. We are the family and community of faith in
our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
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