STEADFASTLY MINDED

" When she saw that she was steadfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her." (Ruth 1:18)

During the times of the Judges, a great famine came upon the land of Israel. At that time, a man named Elimelech, from Bethlehem, took his wife and two sons, and went into the country of Moab to sustain them. After they had been there for a while, Elimelech died, leaving his wife, Naomi, widowed, with their two sons. The sons married women from the land of Moab. One was named Orpah, and the other Ruth. After about ten years, the two sons also died. Now, the little clan was composed of three widows, and no children. Naomi heard that the Lord had "visited His people [in Canaan] in giving them bread." Knowing she did not really belong in Moab, Naomi determined to return to the land of Canaan. Her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, went along with her, as they began the journey back to Judah. As she pondered the two Moabite women in the land of Canaan, Naomi knew some discomfort might be associated with such a move. The true God was worshiped in Canaan, and the gods of the Moabites were cursed. Gently, she suggested Orpah and Ruth return to their mother's house. She reminded them she was too old to find a husband and raise two more sons for them to marry (for under the Law, men had the option to raise up children through their brother's widows, Deut 25:5-10). She told them the Lord would "deal kindly" with them, just as they had dealt kindly with her. She then prayed a blessing upon both of them, saying, "The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband." She then kissed them farewell, and both of the new widows lifted up their voices and wept, saying they would remain with Naomi and her people.  Naomi reasoned further with them, saying it would serve no purpose for them to return with her. There was no hope of them being married while they remained with her. Orpah and Ruth again wept. But this time, something else occurred. Orpah kissed Naomi, and then returned to her own people and their gods. But Ruth clung to Naomi, refusing to return. She declared, "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." It was at that point that Naomi saw Ruth was "steadfastly minded to go with her" (1:1-18).
There is a most vivid picture of the kind of determination it takes to walk with the Lord, gain glory, and dwell forever in the courts of the Lord. It may be attended by a few tears here, but in the end, there will be nothing but blessing for those so determined.