November 22, 2023: The Depth Of Friendship

“But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” (Ruth 1:16, ESV)

The Book of Ruth is loaded with truths that touch the heart. Read it, and your heart will become glad knowing the depths of love and commitment shown in its four short chapters. The name ‘Ruth’ means friendship. You ‘feel’ friendship throughout the book and are impacted by it. And in Matthew 1:5, Ruth is mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus. Ruth, a Moabite woman, makes the genealogy of Jesus! How interesting!

When she entered into the Jewish covenant through marriage, she became a friend of God, a friend of the Jewish people, and a devoted friend and ‘daughter’ to Naomi, her mother-in-law.

Naomi does her best to convince Ruth to leave and find a husband among her people, but she refuses. Not only does she refuse, but her resolve to stay with her mother-in-law increases. Her commitment stands out: “I am going with you. I will accompany and care for you. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.”

Friendship is a relationship of mutual heart bonds between people in a non-sexual way. It is far more powerful than an acquaintance, for it has to do with closeness that is of the heart. Ruth gives us this picture of friendship in all the relationships in the book.