Ruth
Jun 21st, 2009 |
“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 my people, and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16). These familiar words are on the lips of a bride addressing her groom somewhere every Saturday in this country. Their beauty expresses such a depth of determination, dedication, commitment, and love that they seem so appropriate for a wedding. For those who don’t know the story, it may come as a surprise that Ruth addresses these words not to her husband but to Naomi—her mother-in-law! The love of a Moabite woman for her Jewish mother-in-law has become a precious, instructive model for our most intimate relationship.
Rick Riggle will lead this discussion.