What is the significance of Ruth telling Naomi, “Wherever you go, I will go” (Ruth 1:16)?

Answer

Ruth made a significant departure from everything she had ever known in life when she told her mother-in-law, Naomi, “Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God” «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: », (Ruth 1:16, NLT). From this point forward, the young widow’s life would never be the same.

Ruth’s narrative illustrates sacrificial love and redemption despite overwhelming odds. Ruth, a Moabite woman, wedded into a Jewish family but soon found herself a destitute widow, along with her mother-in-law, Naomi. After the passing of her husband and two sons, the Israelite Naomi resolved to return to Bethlehem in her homeland. She had heard that “the Lord had come to the aid of his people by providing food” «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: », (Ruth 1:16).

Before departing Moab, Naomi encouraged her two daughters-in-law to go back to their families, but Ruth declined to leave Naomi’s side, stating, “Wherever you go, I will go.” Together, they journeyed to Bethlehem, where Ruth gleaned in the barley fields to provide food for them. Ruth later wed Boaz, a relative (and “kinsman-redeemer”) of Naomi’s husband. The couple blessed Naomi with a grandchild, rescued her from poverty, and restored her happiness.

Redemption stands as the central theme of Ruth’s account. The steadfast commitment of the young widow to accompany Naomi offers a beautiful portrayal of Christian faith.Conversion. With her words, “Wherever you go, I will go,” Ruth made a definitive separation from her past way of life. Becoming a follower of Jesus Christ likewise involves a pivotal decision and breaking away from the past.

By leaving her homeland and going with Naomi, Ruth renounced her citizenship in Moab. With the words, “Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live,” Ruth separated herself from her country of origin. She abandoned one kingdom to be joined to another. Similarly, when we choose to follow Christ, we are brought into His kingdom. Jesus Christ died to rescue believers from the kingdom of darkness and transfer them into His kingdom of light (Matthew 5:3; Matthew 13:43; Colossians 1:13; James 2:5; 2 Timothy 4:18; 1 Thessalonians 2:12).

As new creations in Christ, we are separated from the dominion of sin through the death of Christ on the cross. We become a wholly “new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” «Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. », (2 Corinthians 5:17, NLT).

Ruth renounced her people and claimed Naomi’s people—the people of God—as her own. Living as a pagan in Moab, Ruth would have worshipped many gods. But by the young woman’s confession, the older woman’s God—the God of Israel—became Ruth’s God. Now Ruth worshipped the One True God. The apostle Peter asserts that Christians are “a chosen people . . . royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession.” Believers “show others the goodness of God” who calls us “out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” Before salvation, we “had no identity as a people.” But now we “are God’s people” (1 Peter 2:9-10).

(1 Peter 2:9-10;NLT).

Ruth completely identified herself with Naomi. The Scripture states, “Ruth clung to her” «And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her. », (Ruth 1:14). The verb “clung to” is the same term used in Genesis 2:24 to describe the “cleaving, uniting, or holding fast” of a man and woman in marriage. Ruth’s identity became fully intertwined with Naomi’s. She had made a radical and absolute commitment to Naomi, her people, and her God. Ruth had entrusted every aspect of her life to Naomi.

Ruth’s declaration to Naomi, “Wherever you go, I will go,” is akin to a new believer proclaiming, “I have chosen to follow Jesus. Wherever you lead, Lord, I will follow.”

Becoming a Christian entails being united with Jesus Christ «and ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.», (1 Corinthians 3:23). Through grace and faith, we cling to Him (Ephesians 2:8;1 John 2:28). We leave behind our former citizenship and identity to become new creations in Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:10;Ephesians 4:24). We bid farewell to the darkness of sin and embrace the light of His kingdom (Ephesians 5:8-14). The Sovereign Lord becomes our God, and His people become our people (Ephesians 2:19-22). We forsake our former self-centered way of life; we take up our cross and follow Him «And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Who«Whoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.», (Mark 8:34).