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Larry Ray Hafley
"And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following
after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will
lodge: thy people shall be by people and ... Where thou diest, will I die, and
there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death
part thee and me" (Ruth 1:16, 17).
You often have heard these words quoted during a wedding ceremony. They are
very appropriate. However, they were the words of Ruth to her mother in law,
Naomi. After Naomi's son (Ruth's husband) died, Naomi told Ruth that he was free
to leave and make her own new life. She was not obligated to stay with her
mother in law. At this point, Ruth uttered the poignant, poetic words cited
above. Appropriately, these tender words of loyalty, devotion, and affection
have been appropriated and applied to the marriage vow.
Read them again. Surely, these solemn, sweet words ought to grace and adorn
the heart of every marriage partner. But do they?
Sadly, many today treat marriage like a disposable diaper. When it becomes
unpleasant, they toss it away and get another one! "Let marriage be held in
honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for fornicators and
adulterers God will judge" (Heb. 13:4).
Parents, are you teaching the principles of Ruth's words to your children?
Are you training them in the obligation and responsibility to be forever loving
and faithful "`til death do us part"? If not, begin to do so now!
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