Radical Faith

Ruth 1:11-18: But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands? 12 Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons— 13 would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the LORD’s hand has turned against me!” 14 At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her. 15 “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.” 16 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. 17 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.” 18When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.

Over the last few weeks I have been reading and studying the Book of Ruth. Ultimately, Ruth is about inheritance and genealogy. But I want to discuss the faith of Ruth at the very beginning of the story. The first thing we realize about Ruth is that she is a Moabite. Ruth was a foreigner and did not grow up in Israel. She married Naomi’s son, who died. In verse 11 we begin the dialogue after his death.


What I find interesting is that Ruth could have left and went back to her homeland. She could have gone home to her family, comfort, and security. Her homeland is where she feels safe and not an outsider. But she chose to stay with Naomi even after Naomi insisted she go back home. Naomi knew there was nothing for her in Israel. Naomi also knew that Ruth would be treated as a foreigner. Ruth says in verse 16, “Your people will be my people and your God my God.” Here is a bold statement. Ruth knows she needs to stay with Naomi, even though she does not know how it is going to work out.


In 16 weeks, my wife and I and our two children are moving to Wesley Chapel. Wesley Chapel will be our new home. We have never lived in Florida and only visited Florida for vacation. Now we are called to the community of Wesley Chapel; to live among them and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. We trust God to lead and provide for us, but we are leaving behind our family, comfort and security. May each person reading this blog be praying for our move as we travel to Florida and become part of their community.


Also, be praying for Ryan and Jen Hansard moving from California and also JD and Kristin Winter moving from Wichita, KS. Our team keeps getting bigger.