Picking the Best Part

Picking the Best Part - Ruth 1:16-28 Ruth was "not" willing to leave Naomi. It is one of the noblest statements by a Gentile in the Old Testament; She showed her total commitment (covenant, obligation, duty) to Naomi. She chose Naomi's destiny: her dwelling place, her "people," her "God," and even "her burial place" (it would be until the end of her own life).

I. Don't beg me to leave you.

A. Don't push me.

1. There are no more beautiful or courageous expressions than those used by Ruth on this occasion.

2. (Ryrie, Rut's affirmation of her engagement is perhaps the most beautiful in all of literature.)

3. It is a sense of protection for the one she loves: "Naomi."

4. Now that her sister-in-law has left, Ruth seems to take new courage and speak out more courageously.

5. An example of the inclination (slope) that God's grace it is the help and strength we receive through the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ; free gift to help fulfill; (favor or benefit without deserving it) can take place in a heart so that it resolves to choose the better part.

6. She pleads with her mother-in-law: Do not insist that I forsake you so that I may turn and not follow you.

7. Don't tell me that all the steps I take in my life watching you suffer, fight, battle, lack, encourage me, love me, take care of me, protect me, take the piece of bread from your mouth, you give it to me even if I resist, see your pain of loss of yours, husband and children, never a reproach, you don't get tired even though you don't have for yourself; There is your strength and courage, that I have learned from your strength, because you formed me, you were fond of me, you loved me, you gave yourself, now I am like you, I am not going to leave because your life is my school without complaints, or regrets.

8. There was no room in Ruth's heart for cowardice, she was made up of a woman of virtue, for Ruth had virtues (qualities that are considered morally good and therefore, are valued as a foundation of principle and good moral being).

9. Ruth chooses to act in accordance with what is good, truthful, and just.

10. "So don't ask me to go back."

11. She doesn't want her to keep begging her to leave her.

12. Specify in detail her resolution to stick to her and never leave her.

13. First, she will go with her wherever she goes, even if it is to a country she has never seen, no matter how far she is from her own country and no matter how rough the road her mother-in-law follows.

14. Second, she will live with her "wherever she lives," even if it is a cabin.

15. Third, she shared the interests, "the joys," and the "sorrows of her people": "Your people will be my people."

16. She loved her son, her family, and now her people.

17. Fourth, and most importantly, renounce to the idols forever and embrace the faith of the true God, the God of Israel: And your God shall be my God.

18. Fifthly, she desires not only to be united to her mother-in-law in life, but also in death and burial, (17) "Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried."

19. She is glad to sleep the sleep of death in her mother-in-law's bed, "not desiring that even her bones should be returned to her native land, Moab.

20. Finally, she backs up her resolution with a solemn vow: So, may Jehovah make me, and even add to me, that only death will separate us two.

21. Surely Ruth's attitude is a model of absolute conversion to God.

22. In our lives, too, we must be willing: a) To take the Lord for our God forever and to be consistent (constant, following, unchanging, firm and faithful) with this decision. b) In taking the Lord for our God, we must also take "His people" for "our people", "without conditions", even if they are poor, despised and imperfect.

23. Determined to share the fate of the People of God, we must endure the vicissitudes (changes) and adversities (misfortunes - an event that produces great pain and suffering) that they must endure and share their sorrows and their joys.

24. There is no need to murmur, there is much to suffer for the sake of the one who suffers.

25. Naomi had nothing more to say to Ruth's words: (18) And when Naomi saw that she was so determined to go with her, she said no more. (determined, decided)

26. This was precisely what Naomi desired, that Ruth should become aware of what it meant to go with her to a strange country and resolve to accompany her freely.

27. There was a lot to fight for, they had nothing. Amen.