But Ruth said, "Do not press me to leave you or to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be by my people, and your God my God."
In one of the most important books in the Bible that you probably don't know is so important, Ruth, a Moabite, literally embodies the developing inclusion of "outsiders" into the story of YHWH, the Hebrew people, and the salvation of the world.
New beginnings is what this story is all about. Elimelech and his wife Naomi leave their native land during a famine and take root in Moab, a foreign land. A new beginning. They have two sons. Each of the sons take Moabite wives, Ruth being one. New beginnings. Elimelech dies. A new beginning. And then so do the two sons. This leaves the women to start all over again. New beginnings.
Ruth, through her faithfulness to her mother-in-law Naomi, a Hebrew, grafts herself into the story of God's redemption and reconciliation and will eventually become the great-grandmother of King David. King David will receive the covenant promise that the Messiah would come from his lineage, a lineage that now includes this foreigner Ruth.
During our various new beginnings, we will have our own "Ruth" who will surprise us with their commitment and faithfulness to help us along our new journey. And like Ruth was for Naomi, these people in our lives will be agents through whom God will bring blessing.
Loving God, surprise us continually with new friends and new partners for our journey of faith and life. Amen.
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