Naomi’s husband is dead. Her son, Ruth’s husband, is dead. Bereaved and broken, Naomi is returning to her people Israel. Naomi tells Ruth, bereaved and broken, to return to her people Moab. Ruth refuses to leave Naomi. Naomi insists that Ruth return to her people. In reply, Ruth says:
Wherever you go, I will go.
Wherever you stay, I will stay.
Your people will by my people.
Your god, my god.
Wherever you die, I will die—and there I will be buried.
May God deal with me, be it ever so severely,
if even death separates me from you (Ruth 1:16b-17).
Wherever you stay, I will stay.
Your people will by my people.
Your god, my god.
Wherever you die, I will die—and there I will be buried.
May God deal with me, be it ever so severely,
if even death separates me from you (Ruth 1:16b-17).
Naomi returns to Israel and Yahweh with Ruth by her side.
