Love and Commitment

Text:  Ruth 1:16-17.

 “Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The LORD do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.”

Introduction

On Valentines Day we entertain thoughts of romantic love and of gifts associated with expressions of it - whether we hope to be givers or receivers. That’s all right too, even though romantic love may be   fleeting and it may leave some heartache behind when it goes. Fortunately there is a better type of love than the romantic kind, one with a potential for lasting a lifetime, bringing only good to those who experience it. It’s the kind of love necessary for maintaining important relationships like marriage. Without it, no marriage is ever fail-safe.

Agape

The Greek word for this kind of love is “agape.” It is unconditional (Strong’s 26). It describes God’s love for men. And it is a giving love, requiring nothing in return.

The Bible uses the word “agape” in First John 4:8, to say, “God is love.” And “agape” motivated Jesus of Nazareth to die on the cross for our sin. God’s “agape” began before we were born and it will continue for at least as long as we live - no matter how we respond. In fact, God will love us all the way to hell if we insist on going there.

Jesus’ love (or agape) was free and unconditional. He died for us, without regard for our lack of worthiness. Agape is what Jesus required when He commanded us to “love one another as” He “loved us.” (John 5:12). And agape describes the kind of love Ruth showed for Naomi.

Marriage

People usually choose mates in our society for romantic reasons, which isn’t all bad. But those who want their marriages to be satisfactory must go beyond romance to love as God loves.

“Agape” is not just a word or a feeling. “Agape” begins with a decision that must be reaffirmed daily as it develops into a way of life. “Agape” does not use people. It involves a sincere resolve to nurture the loved one. If it is to endure, “agape” demands a depth of commitment that often escapes the romanticist.

“Agape” cannot be satis­fied with an annual Valentine Card, a box of candy, or a bouquet of flowers. Occasional expressions of love and devotion simply are not sufficient. Agape keeps on giving, day after day and year after year, regardless of feelings and whether or not it is ever reciprocated.

Suggestion

Men, if you love your wives I’m sure they enjoy hearing you say so. But they might be more pleased when you express your love in ways that make their lives seem worthwhile. Women, if you love your husbands I’m sure they like to hear you say so. But they might be more appreciative of the little things you do to make their lives pleasant.

Commitment

The commitment of real love demands personal sacrifices that may not ever be acknowledged by the one who benefits from them. Some people give of themselves over and over without ever receiving a sincere "thank you." Their rewards, if any, don’t come from people who take them for granted.

Don’t hold your breath waiting for men (or women) to reward your generosity. Unfortunately, the givers of this world are usually out-numbered by the takers. Just remember that God keeps records. And He loves “givers,” especially cheerful ones. He will reward you in His time.

Text

Look at the text again, Ruth 1:16-17: Consider the promise Ruth made to her mother-in-law - when Naomi prepared to go away without her. Ruth said: "Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried.  The LORD do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me."                               

Ruth presents us with an excellent example of the kind of love described by the word “agape.” She loved her mother-in-law freely, with no strings attached. Her kind of kind of love is spelled “commitment.” She was prepared to stay with Naomi, for Naomi’s benefit alone, wherever it took her. She would adapt as necessary to conform to Naomi’s lifestyle. She would forgo all personal relationships that might interfere with that commitment. Although Naomi’s self-centeredness interfered with her appreciation of Ruth’s love, it was obvious to those who knew the two ladies. (Ruth 4:14-15).

A Love Story

The Book of Ruth is often described as a love story, and it is. However, it actually consists of two parts, one of which points to a third part that isn’t mentioned.

1.  The first story portrays Ruth's love for her Mother-in-law as it was expressed in caring commit­ment. Both of Naomi's daughters-in-law insisted they loved her.  Ruth proved her love by refusing to leave Naomi alone in the world.

2.  The second story describes the love Boaz showed to Ruth. It began with his concern for her safety. It resulted in his becoming her kinsman-redeemer and in making a legitimate love affair possible between them.

3.   The third story, which is only hinted at here, involves the Creator of the Universe - in His role as kinsman-redeemer to people who seek the relationship on His terms. As Boaz delivered Ruth from poverty and made her his wife, Jesus Christ delivers repentant sinners from death and makes them heirs in His Father’s Kingdom.

Part One

Let me recount Ruth’s story: Her deceased father-in-law (Elimelech) had moved from Israel to Moab with his family during a time of famine, leaving his property unattended. Eventually he died. Sometime later, his sons married Moabite girls, Ruth and Orpha. When the sons died too, leaving no children,

Naomi decided to return to Israel alone. When she told her widowed daughters-in-law, they insisted on going along. But she advised them to return to their parent’s homes and find new husbands there. Both ladies refused to leave Naomi. And both of them actually left Moab with her.  But Orpha did not complete the trip. She returned to her mother’s home in Moab.

In need

Ruth and Naomi arrived in Israel with no visible means of support. Another person had gained control of Elimelech’s property. Since Ruth felt it her duty to support them she looked for ways to do so. Fortunately, the local barley harvest was in progress. Ruth picked a field and began to glean there. Hebrew Law allowed needy people to gather grain missed by reapers. And the custom is observed today. It’s not a way to get rich - but it beats doing nothing and going hungry.

Part Two

Ruth’s self-sacrifice was only temporary. She  "happened" on a field belonging to one of her dead husband’s relatives. He discovered who she was and determined to help her. First, he arranged for her safety in the field. Second, he made sure she was well fed. Third, he arranged for her to gather more grain than she could have expected. 

When Naomi saw Ruth’s sack of grain she knew someone had been especially kind and wanted to know who it was. Since the generous man was a relative, Naomi informed Ruth of a Hebrew custom that allowed her to ask Boaz to take her into his home as his wife. Hebrew custom allowed a near relative to redeem the property of a deceased one and to marry his childless widow.

Ruth followed Naomi’s instructions, asking Boaz to assume the role of kinsman-redeemer for her. Boaz thanked her for the offer and said he would check on the possibility. As it happened, the only other closer relative declined the opportunity. So Boaz redeemed the lost property and married Ruth. As you may know, this pair produced at least one son, a boy named Obed. Are you familiar with that name in Hebrew history?

Part Three

Ruth, Chapter four, verses 21 and 22 say this:  "and Boaz begot Obed; and Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David. As that passage indicates, Ruth and Boaz were the grand parents of a man who became, among other things, the second King of the Nation of Israel. That made them ancestors of another child who would eventually inherit David’s throne. His name was Jesus of Nazareth.

It was Jesus’ commitment to His Heavenly Father that made it possible for you and me to be redeemed from the penalty of our sin. As John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that who ever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Summary

All three parts of this story are good ones. Ruth loved her mother-in-law and dedicated herself to care for her perpetually. Because Ruth was faithful to her commitment she managed to acquire a family of her own, one that provided much satisfaction for her, for Boaz, and for Naomi. Her commitment also helped to set the stage for the birth of God’s only begotten Son and made Him her great, great grandson.

Ruth Honored

Nothing in the Book of Ruth even hints that Naomi’s other daughter-in law was wrong to remain behind in Moab. Naomi released both of them. Orpha may have found a new husband in Moab too. But Ruth received the better part of the deal. Her unselfishness earned her a place of great honor in Israel's history. In case you didn’t know, Ruth was one of only four women named in Matthew’s Genealogy of Jesus Christ.  Interestingly enough, two of those four women were Gentiles.  (See Matthew 1:5).

Naomi’s Ingratitude

      Earlier I mentioned the possibility of sacrifices made for a loved one being ignored or taken for granted. Notice what Naomi said when her old friends welcomed her home after a ten year absence. Chapter One, Verses 20-21 say this: "And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara:  for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home again empty.’

“Naomi” means “pleasant.” Mara means “bitter.” Was Naomi’s bitterness called for? Did she really leave Israel full and return home empty? Not exactly.  Although it was natural for her to grieve for her husband and sons, she should have been grateful for the sacrificial love of her devoted daugh­ter-in-law.

It should be noted that Naomi did prove to be grateful for Ruth’s dedication eventually. So she was not just a taker. She was a giver too.  Naomi planned a way for Ruth to obtain a better life than she settled for – even though she knew she would cease to take first place in the girl’s life. But, since Boaz welcomed Naomi into his family, she retained her relationship with Ruth and gained a grandson to love and to nourish.

God knows

      If you ever begin to suspect God has abandoned you, remember this story. God does not forget His own and He is always on time in caring for them. We may not get everything we want in this life but, when we obey God, He will give us what we need. As my dad used to say, “God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with Him.”

God did not abandoned Naomi, despite what she thought. He simply used her to bring a Moabite lady name Ruth to Israel where she could connect with Boaz. The famine that drove Elimelech’s family to Moab must have seemed a disaster to them. And the death of her husband and sons was certainly difficult for Naomi to bear. But those circumstances worked out the way God planned and Naomi was rewarded for her part in it. Imagine helping to raise a human ancestor of our Savior.

Ruth’s Attitude

Do you suppose Ruth might have had some cause to be bitter about Naomi’s complaint? Ruth left her family and friends behind in Moab to go with Naomi to a foreign land.  She did this with no thought for her own welfare. Naomi’s attitude did not make Ruth bitter. She loved her mother-in-law. She wanted to care for her. That made her able to roll with the punches. Ruth’s commitment demonstrates agape love. She acted, and reacted in ways that favored her mother-in-law, even when Naomi did not seem to appreciate it.

Rights?

When two people marry they give up much of their right to act individually.  The Bible says they become one flesh. (Genesis 2:24). Both are honor bound to support the union. When either party ignores their commitment in favor of self, the marriage is stressed and in danger of coming apart. Marriages need Ruth’s kind of commitment. She was determined that nothing short of death would break her relationship with Naomi.

Christ’s Commitment

Jesus demonstrated the serious commitment required of agape when He chose to live as a man and die for our sins. He did not give up and return to heaven when the Jews called Him a liar and rejected Him. He insisted on going to Jerusalem where He expected to be crucified.

Isaiah 50:7 predicted Jesus would “set His face as a flint.” Luke 9:51 says He “steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem.” He did not quit when the people He came to save reviled Him. He continued to love His enemies as he died on the cross.  He even prayed for them, asking,  "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. (Luke 23:34).

Christianity

Becoming a Christian is like getting married in that it requires the same kind of commitment. Christian’s are no longer their own; they belong to Christ. (1 Cor. 6:19-20).

The Bible compares our union with our Lord to that of a husband and wife. (Eph. 5:23). It equates spiritual adultery with marital adultery.  (Ezekiel 16:32). We belong to our Lord. We are obligated to serve Him rather than self - with the kind of commitment He demonstrated by purchasing our salvation with His blood.

Serve Christ

Jesus is the senior partner in our relationship. And He said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15). We must love Him by obeying Him, even when it involves self-sacrifice.

Our Lord is the ultimate giver. Sooner or later He will repay our losses. He did promise us a more abundant life now and everlasting life in eternity. Agape love for Christ causes Christians to love people Christ loves and to share the good news of salvation with them. The Apostle Paul described that duty as a debt, saying: “I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise, so, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also. For I am not ashamed of (or disappointed in) the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'The just shall live by faith.'" (Romans 1:14-17).

Your Debt

Do you recognize your debt – to Christ and to the lost? Do you realize you cannot pay that debt simply by being a member of a local congrega­tion of believers? Agape love demands activity. It inspires men to do good things; not only for the Savior but also for people He came to save.

If you have been redeemed, you need to take the gospel where God’s Holy Spirit leads you, and especially to unsaved people you know. Don’t frustrate God’s plan for your life. Allow Him to use you to save lost souls. Don't let them go to hell by default.

Moishe Rosen, who founded Jews for Jesus, said this: "Before I understood the meaning of Christian readiness I had a tendency to procrastinate, to delay until some time when I might be more godly or knowledgeable, to wait for the perfect opportunity. But now I know that I must be ready to give an account for the hope that is within me regardless of the circumstances in which I find myself."

There is certainly nothing wrong with wanting to be more godly and knowledgeable than you are. The Bible was designed to help us become wiser and better behaved. But don't wait until you become perfect before you begin to work for God. The simple truth is you will never become perfect.

No one other than Jesus Christ is perfect. So share what you can now, in your imperfect state, wherever God gives you opportunity. Just tell people what Christ has done for you. That is usually sufficient for leading someone to Him.

Challenge

How's your commitment to Jesus this morning? Are you ready and willing to serve Him as He leads you? Ruth was determined to stay with Naomi, no matter the cost.  She told Naomi, Wherever you go, I will go,” and nothing but death shall separate us. That’s what the Lord wants to hear from you - provided you are ready to honor your commitment by serving Him as Lord of your life.

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David Beneze, Canon City, CO 81212-2873, Latest update 19 May 2007.