Scripture
Ruth replied, “Don't ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us,”

Observation
A severe famine during the time of the judges, causes a man from Bethlehem to take his wife and sons to Moab. The sons grow up and marry Moabite women. Over time the three men die, leaving Naomi and her two daughters-in-law to fend for themselves.

The famine ends in Judah and so Naomi prepares to return home. Along the way, Naomi pleads with her daughters-in-law to return home to their families. Orpah returns home but Ruth determines to stay with Naomi . She pledges to stay with her and to adopt herself into the family and culture of Naomi.

So Naomi and Ruth return to Bethlehem at the time of the barley harvest.

Application
These two women, Naomi and Ruth, show tremendous courage and persistence in a culture in which women tended not to have much financial strength. Ruth, in particular, risks everything- home, family, country- to follow Naomi and become a part of her country.

There must have been a very strong bond between these two women to persuade Ruth to go with Naomi. Perhaps there was a strength of character, or a faithfulness to God despite being surrounded by pagan culture that attracted Ruth.

As I live out my daily life in what is essentially a godless culture, I need to make sure that my lifestyle, my attitude, my character radiate the light of Christ.

Prayer
Lord may my life- my attitudes, words and deeds- be a powerful testimony to the power of your grace to all I pass each day. Amen.