Ruth 1:16 But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.

In this telling Naomi’s husband and two sons have died and she pleads with Orpah and Ruth to return to their birth mothers. Orpah leaves but Ruth remains with Naomi.

I bring you this story for one specific reason. When my oldest granddaughter was being prepared for her baptism into this life with Christ, the youth pastor tried to persuade her not to do it. I had never heard of this approach. It was not part of my preparation for baptism.

Naomi laid out several strong arguments for not remaining with her as she prepared to leave Moab and return to her family. The one thing she did not say to them was that they were Moabites by birth and would not be accepted.

Here is the “Good News” on full display. Our past does not disqualify us from being accepted into the family of God. Now let us hear Ruth plea to Naomi continue.

Ruth 1:17 Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.

Now that is commitment. My granddaughter could not be persuaded because she, like Ruth, was committed. Praise God.

This Naomi approach of diswayment is unique and I will not recommend it nor advise against it.

The symbol of obedience in baptism is a new life in Christ, one of commitment which can lead the initiate to ask “Where to now?”

Naomi did not promise her daughter-in-laws anything. 11 But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Have I yet sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? 12 Turn back, my daughters; go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, even if I should have a husband this night and should bear sons, 13 would you therefore wait till they were grown? Would you therefore refrain from marrying? No, my daughters, for it is exceedingly bitter to me for your sake that the hand of the Lord has gone out against me.” 14 Then they lifted up their voices and wept again. And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.

Orpah gave Namomi the kiss of betrayal. or am I just projecting my own fears? I wasn’t given that choice in my baptism. I am not sure what my 15 year old self might have done if they had tried to disway me..