When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped trying to persuade her. When Naomi sawThe phrase "When Naomi saw" indicates a moment of realization and acknowledgment. In the Hebrew text, the word for "saw" is "רָאָה" (ra'ah), which means to perceive or understand. This is not merely a physical seeing but a deeper comprehension of Ruth's resolve. Naomi's perception here is crucial as it marks a turning point in her acceptance of Ruth's commitment. Historically, this moment reflects the cultural importance of family loyalty and the recognition of one's intentions through actions rather than words. that Ruth was determined
The word "determined" is translated from the Hebrew "אַמֵּץ" (amatz), which conveys strength, courage, and steadfastness. Ruth's determination is not a fleeting emotion but a firm resolve. This determination is significant in the narrative, as it highlights Ruth's unwavering loyalty and faithfulness, qualities that are highly esteemed in the biblical context. Ruth's determination is a testament to her character and foreshadows her role in God's redemptive plan. to go with her
The phrase "to go with her" emphasizes Ruth's commitment to accompany Naomi on her journey. The Hebrew word "לָלֶכֶת" (lalechet) means to walk or to go, indicating a physical and spiritual journey. Ruth's decision to go with Naomi is an act of solidarity and love, transcending cultural and familial boundaries. This journey is not just a relocation but a profound step into a new life and faith, symbolizing Ruth's conversion and dedication to Naomi's God. she stopped trying to persuade her
Naomi's cessation of persuasion is captured in the Hebrew "וַתֶּחְדַּל" (vatechdal), meaning to cease or desist. Naomi recognizes Ruth's steadfastness and stops urging her to return to her own people. This moment signifies Naomi's acceptance of Ruth's choice and the beginning of their shared journey. It reflects a shift in Naomi's perspective, acknowledging Ruth's autonomy and the depth of her commitment. This acceptance is pivotal, as it sets the stage for the unfolding of God's providential plan through Ruth's life. Persons / Places / Events 1. RuthA Moabite woman, widow of Mahlon, who demonstrates loyalty and faithfulness to her mother-in-law, Naomi. Her decision to stay with Naomi is a pivotal moment in the account. 2. NaomiAn Israelite woman who, after losing her husband and sons in Moab, decides to return to Bethlehem. She is initially hesitant about Ruth accompanying her but eventually accepts her determination. 3. MoabThe land where Naomi and her family had moved during a famine in Israel. It is significant as a place outside of Israel, highlighting Ruth's status as a foreigner. 4. BethlehemNaomi's hometown in Judah, to which she decides to return after the deaths of her husband and sons. It is also the future birthplace of King David and Jesus. 5. Event of DeterminationRuth's unwavering decision to stay with Naomi, as seen in Ruth 1:18, marks a turning point in the account, showcasing her commitment and setting the stage for God's providential plan. Teaching Points Commitment and LoyaltyRuth 1:18 demonstrates the power of steadfast commitment. Ruth's loyalty to Naomi is a model for our relationships, encouraging us to stand by those we love, even in difficult times. God's SovereigntyRuth's decision to stay with Naomi, despite the uncertainty, reflects trust in God's sovereign plan. We are reminded to trust God's guidance, even when the path is unclear. Cross-Cultural FaithRuth, a Moabite, becomes part of God's people, illustrating that faith transcends cultural and ethnic boundaries. This encourages us to embrace diversity within the body of Christ. Influence of Godly RelationshipsNaomi's influence on Ruth shows the impact of godly relationships. We are called to mentor and guide others in faith, just as Naomi did for Ruth. Providence and RedemptionRuth's account is a testament to God's providence and redemptive work. It encourages us to look for God's hand in our lives, even in challenging circumstances. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Ruth's determination to stay with Naomi challenge our understanding of loyalty and commitment in our own relationships? 2. In what ways can we see God's providence at work in Ruth's decision to accompany Naomi back to Bethlehem? 3. How does Ruth's inclusion in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1) impact our view of God's plan for all nations? 4. What can we learn from Naomi's influence on Ruth about the importance of mentoring and discipleship in our faith communities? 5. How does Ruth's account encourage us to trust in God's plan, even when we face uncertainty or difficult decisions? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 12Ruth's journey with Naomi parallels Abraham's call to leave his homeland, highlighting themes of faith and obedience. Matthew 1Ruth is listed in the genealogy of Jesus, showing God's inclusive plan and the significance of her faithfulness. Hebrews 11Ruth's faith can be compared to the faith of the patriarchs, as she steps into the unknown, trusting in Naomi's God. People Chilion, Elimelech, Ephrathites, Mahlon, Mara, Naomi, Orpah, RuthPlaces Bethlehem, MoabTopics Ceaseth, Determined, Herself, Minded, Na'omi, Purpose, Realized, Resolved, Ruth, Speak, Speaking, Steadfastly, Stedfastly, Stopped, Strengthening, Strong, UrgingDictionary of Bible Themes Ruth 1:6-18 5339 home Ruth 1:11-18 5681 family, nature of Ruth 1:16-18 5117 Ruth
8252 faithfulness, relationships Library A Gentle Heroine, a Gentile Convert
'And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: 17. Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. 18. When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her. 19. So they two went until they came to Beth-lehem. And it …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Worst Things Work for Good to the Godly
DO not mistake me, I do not say that of their own nature the worst things are good, for they are a fruit of the curse; but though they are naturally evil, yet the wise overruling hand of God disposing and sanctifying them, they are morally good. As the elements, though of contrary qualities, yet God has so tempered them, that they all work in a harmonious manner for the good of the universe. Or as in a watch, the wheels seem to move contrary one to another, but all carry on the motions of the watch: …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial Bands of Love
P. G. Ruth i. 16, 17 A homeless Stranger amongst us came To this land of death and mourning; He walked in a path of sorrow and shame, Through insult, and hate, and scorning. A Man of sorrows, of toil and tears, An outcast Man and a lonely; But He looked on me, and through endless years Him must I love--Him only. Then from this sad and sorrowful land, From this land of tears He departed; But the light of His eyes and the touch of His hand Had left me broken-hearted. And I clave to Him as He turned …
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and Others What is Thy Beloved, More than Another Beloved, O Thou Fairest among Women! what is Thy Beloved, More than Another Beloved, that Thou Dost So Charge Us?
The daughters of Jerusalem do not cease to call her the fairest among women, because her most painful wounds are hidden, and those which are exposed even add lustre to her beauty. They are astonished at beholding a love so strong, so constant and so faithful in the midst of so many disasters. They inquire, Who is this Well-beloved? For, say they, He must be of unequalled attraction, thus to engage His Spouse; for though these souls are spiritual, they are not yet sufficiently advanced to comprehend …
Madame Guyon—Song of Songs of Solomon Whether the Old Law Set Forth Suitable Precepts About the Members of the Household?
Objection 1: It would seem that the Old Law set forth unsuitable precepts about the members of the household. For a slave "is in every respect his master's property," as the Philosopher states (Polit. i, 2). But that which is a man's property should be his always. Therefore it was unfitting for the Law to command (Ex. 21:2) that slaves should "go out free" in the seventh year. Objection 2: Further, a slave is his master's property, just as an animal, e.g. an ass or an ox. But it is commanded (Dt. …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Epistle xxxii. To Narses the Patrician.
To Narses the Patrician. Gregory to Narses, &c. Your most sweet Charity has said much to me in your letters in praise of my good deeds, to all which I briefly reply, Call me not Noemi, that is beautiful; but call me Mara, that is bitter; for I am full of bitterness (Ruth i. 20). But as to the cause of the presbyters [1555] , which is pending with my brother and fellow-bishop, the most reverend Patriarch John, we have, as I think, for our adversary the very man whom you assert to be desirous of observing …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Epistle cxxi. To Leander, Bishop of Hispalis (Seville).
To Leander, Bishop of Hispalis (Seville). Gregory to Leander, Bishop of Spain. I have the epistle of thy Holiness, written with the pen of charity alone. For what the tongue transferred to the paper had got its tincture from the heart. Good and wise men were present when it was read, and at once their bowels were stirred with emotion. Everyone began to seize thee in his heart with the hand of love, for that in that epistle the sweetness of thy disposition was not to be heard, but seen. All severally …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Man.
THE IMAGE OF GOD. MAN is God's image, and to curse wickedly the image of God, is to curse God himself. Suppose that a man should say with his mouth, I wish that the king's picture were burned; would not this man's so saying render him as an enemy to the person of the king? Even so it is with them that by cursing wish evil to their neighbors or themselves; they contemn the image of God himself. This world, as it dropped from the fingers of God, was far more glorious than it is now. VALUE OF THE SOUL. …
John Bunyan—The Riches of Bunyan Epistle vi. To Narses, Patrician .
To Narses, Patrician [1305] . Gregory to Narses, &c. In describing loftily the sweetness of contemplation, you have renewed the groans of my fallen state, since I hear what I have lost inwardly while mounting outwardly, though undeserving, to the topmost height of rule. Know then that I am stricken with so great sorrow that I can scarcely speak; for the dark shades of grief block up the eyes of my soul. Whatever is beheld is sad, whatever is thought delightful appears to my heart lamentable. For …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great A Cloud of Witnesses.
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews Departure from Ireland. Death and Burial at Clairvaux.
[Sidenote: 1148, May (?)] 67. (30). Being asked once, in what place, if a choice were given him, he would prefer to spend his last day--for on this subject the brothers used to ask one another what place each would select for himself--he hesitated, and made no reply. But when they insisted, he said, "If I take my departure hence[821] I shall do so nowhere more gladly than whence I may rise together with our Apostle"[822]--he referred to St. Patrick; "but if it behoves me to make a pilgrimage, and …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh Place of Jesus in the History of the World.
The great event of the History of the world is the revolution by which the noblest portions of humanity have passed from the ancient religions, comprised under the vague name of Paganism, to a religion founded on the Divine Unity, the Trinity, and the Incarnation of the Son of God. It has taken nearly a thousand years to accomplish this conversion. The new religion had itself taken at least three hundred years in its formation. But the origin of the revolution in question with which we have to do …
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus Christ the Mediator of the Covenant
'Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant,' &c. Heb 12:24. Jesus Christ is the sum and quintessence of the gospel; the wonder of angels; the joy and triumph of saints. The name of Christ is sweet, it is as music in the ear, honey in the mouth, and a cordial at the heart. I shall waive the context, and only speak of that which concerns our present purpose. Having discoursed of the covenant of grace, I shall speak now of the Mediator of the covenant, and the restorer of lapsed sinners, Jesus the Mediator …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes
ONLY those who have made study of it can have any idea how large, and sometimes bewildering, is the literature on the subject of Jewish Proselytes and their Baptism. Our present remarks will be confined to the Baptism of Proselytes. 1. Generally, as regards proselytes (Gerim) we have to distinguish between the Ger ha-Shaar (proselyte of the gate) and Ger Toshabh (sojourner,' settled among Israel), and again the Ger hatstsedeq (proselyte of righteousness) and Ger habberith (proselyte of the covenant). …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Meditations of the Blessed State of a Regenerate Man in Heaven.
Here my meditation dazzles, and my pen falls out of my hand; the one being not able to conceive, nor the other to describe, that most excellent bliss, and eternal weight of glory (2 Cor. iv. 17; Rom. viii. 18)--whereof all the afflictions of this present life are not worthy--which all the elect shall with the blessed Trinity enjoy, from that time that they shall be received with Christ, as joint-heirs (Rom. viii. 17) into that everlasting kingdom of joy. Notwithstanding, we may take a scantling thereof. …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Ruth
Goethe has characterized the book of Ruth as the loveliest little idyll that tradition has transmitted to us. Whatever be its didactic purpose--and some would prefer to think that it had little or none-it is, at any rate, a wonderful prose poem, sweet, artless, and persuasive, touched with the quaintness of an older world and fresh with the scent of the harvest fields. The love--stronger than country--of Ruth for Naomi, the gracious figure of Boaz as he moves about the fields with a word of blessing …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Ruth 1:18 NIVRuth 1:18 NLTRuth 1:18 ESVRuth 1:18 NASBRuth 1:18 KJV
Ruth 1:18 Commentaries
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