I love the book of Ruth because it demonstrates the truth of the admonition of Jesus that; If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? Lk 9:23-25.
Ruth and Orpah were both Naomi's daughters-in-law and were widows. Naomi saw no further reason to stay back in Moab after her husband and sons died, moreso when she heard that the famine which her family left Jerusalem for had abated.
Initially, the two young ladies wanted to follow her but she found no reason for that either. So 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? 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- 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 gone out against me! (Ruth 1:11-13)
Orpah promptly turned back, showing that she was not really fully determined to lose herself for this old woman just like that. She was just trying to be polite, anticipating the opportunity to turn her back.
Not so with Ruth. Her love for Naomi was not premised on having another husband or a comfortable life. Knowing fully that Naomi would be all alone without anyone to take care of her, Ruth was ready to lose her own life for her to live. We do well to emulate this. This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. (1Jn 3:16) 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. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me." When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her. Ruth 1:16-18 Unknown to Ruth, she was crossing from death to life. She rejected the idols of Moab and accepted the God of the Hebrews.
She continued this kindness even when they got back to Jerusalem. She worked hard to take care of old Naomi and when Naomi advised her on who to marry she obliged. She did not lean on her own understanding. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. (Prov 3:5-7) Her kindness to Naomi became the talk of the town and Boaz who she married, was quite impressed that she did not run after the youngsters but preferred to marry an old man like him. This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor said Boaz in Ruth 3:10.
The Lord rewarded Ruth greatly by writing her name in the book of life. Her womb was blessed with Obed the father of Jesse the father of David who in turn was an ancestor of Jesus our Lord. What a beautiful turn of events! She indeed prophesied that 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 anything but death separates you and me Not even death would ever separate Naomi and Ruth.
To us believers today, God is calling us to demonstrate this kind of love to Him and to our neighbors.