Ruth 1:1-18 – KISS OR CLING?
Naomi had two daughters in-law. The big difference between them was that Orpah was a “kisser” and Ruth was a “clinger”. Orpah showed some affection for her mother in-law and then left her.
Ruth clung to her mother in-law and went with her as Naomi returned to the Land of Israel.
In Christian circles there are two groups.
There are the “kissers” of our Lord Jesus Christ. There are the “clingers” to our Lord Jesus Christ.
(You will need to read and explain verses 1-7 for background information.)
THE KISSER
Vss. 8-10 – Naomi released her daughter in-laws from any obligation to her. Both, for the moment, said they would still stick with Naomi.
Vss. 11-13 – Naomi makes it clear exactly how dire the situation is and encourages them to go back home.
Vs. 14 – Having heard more information, Orpah kisses Naomi, cries some more, and leaves.
There are many “kissers” like Orpah in Christianity.
They make a commitment of sorts, but their pattern is to kiss and leave.
They kiss Jesus on Sunday and leave Him for a commitment to the World and their own pleasures and interests during the week. 1 John 2:15-17
THE CLINGER
Vs. 14 – Oprah kissed; Ruth clung.
Vs. 15 – I think Naomi is testing Ruth here to make sure that she is sincere.
Vss. 16-17 – Ruth’s response is classic and shows us how we should cling to the Lord Jesus
Ruth 1:16-17 – 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.
RUTH CLUNG TO FOLLOW –for whither thou goest, I will go
To cling to the Lord Jesus we should be able to say, for whither thou goest, I will go.
Luke 9:23-24
RUTH CLUNG TO DWELL –and where thou lodgest, I will lodge:
We should dwell with the Lord Jesus by abiding in Him. John 15:1-7
RUTH CLUNG TO FELLOWSHIP –thy people shall be my people,
The people of the Lord Jesus should be our people. We should have fellowship with fellow believers.
John 13:34-35, Hebrews 10:24-25, Ecclesiastes 4:9-11
RUTH CLUNG TO WORSHIP –and thy God my God:
When we trust Christ we will recognize the Trinity, and we are to worship. Psalm 100
RUTH CLUNG TO DIE –Where thou diest, will I die,
Jesus died on the cross. According to Romans 6, we died with Him. Also see Galatians 2:20.
Vs. 18 – Naomi finally accepted Ruth’s position. They traveled together. Ruth was submissive to Naomi, and eventually Ruth married Boaz and became a descendent of the Lord Jesus.