Friendship serves many purposes in our lives. Friendships keep us from being lonely, and they helps us develop as loyal, trustworthy, and reliable individuals. In the book of Ruth, Naomi and Ruth exhibit a wonderful friendship after Ruth's husband (Naomi's son) passes away. Ruth Chapter 1, verses 16-18 read...
"Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her."
In this passage, Ruth proclaims to Naomi that she will accompany her back to her home in Israel, and she refuses to let Naomi go alone. She claims to follow Naomi wherever she goes and to live her life as Naomi lives her own life.
Like many friendships that we are a part of, we are drawn towards people who have experienced the same hardships as us. Naomi and Ruth became closer at the loss of Ruth's husband, and their friendship brought them joy and peace even though they had suffered a loss.
As we continue to grow in our relationships and become closer to the people around us, let us reflect on the support and encouragement that our friendships give us.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: if one falls down, his friend can help him up."
Romans 12:10
"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."
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