“Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried” (1:16-17).  Ruth’s famous words to Naomi convey her deep, life-long commitment; she was making a voluntary covenant with Naomi, despite their different cultures.  Ruth’s faithfulness and loyalty are striking because she was a foreigner, and in her lifetime (v1) many in Israel had abandoned God’s ways and were unfaithful to Him (see book of Judges).     

“For where you go, I will go” (v16).  Ruth’s sincere, to-the-death loyalty reflects what God wants from us: a heart-level willingness to do whatever He asks and to go wherever He calls.