Two becoming one

"Don't plead with me to abandon you or to return [to my homeland] and not follow you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God...may the Lord punish me...if anything but death separates you and me." ~Ruth 1:16-17

Every person (and women specifically) is looking for security. Every person wants to be fully known and fully loved. They want to be protected and cared for. They want to know they are safe. 

The world at the time that Ruth spoke these words was very dark with death, disease and famine. In this already dismal world, Ruth had lost the only hope she had. Her husband. In that culture and time, the death of a husband meant more than just losing a companion. It meant losing your status in society, your income and your promise of a life and a future. 

Women in that culture would have been right to go back to their homeland to grieve and marry to simply maintain a normal life. But Ruth shines her humility and love in choosing to stay true to her commitment, not only to her husband but also to his family.

Instead of running back to familiarity, Ruth displays a beautiful reality of HESED love that is not fully captured in the translation. She demonstrates her faithful commitment to Naomi and the family, her loyal love, and her generosity by staying with Naomi (her mother-in-law) even after the death of her husband. She demonstrates that when she said "I do," it was a covenant that went beyond her own satisfaction. It was a covenant to the entire family. 

As my love and I move forward to enter into our own covenant, the reality of this account has touched me in a different way. 

In Liberia, families enter into a covenant together in addition to the couple getting married. The bride's family gives their daughter to the groom's family, who promise to love her and protect her and take care of her. In Liberia, you don't marry a person. You marry a family. A community. 

Just like when you and I enter into a covenant with the Lord, we "marry" the body of believers that have also agreed to follow and worship him (i.e. the church). In fact, the Greek word for "fellowship" is "koinonia" which is also the same word for sexual intercourse!

Now, I don't want to get things out of proportion, but this culture and these ideas have helped me see something I used to miss.

The idea of community is different here. When you are a part of a community, you are a PART of that community. Even if you never see or don't even know the people, you are still connected by a common bond. You will fight for that person.  Protect that person. Die for that person. Because they are a part of YOU. 

I have been challenged to hold the same view with my fellow believers. 

We are all part of the same tribe. 

Believers in India, Liberia, Germany, and America are all bonded together by the powerful person of Christ. 

As we look forward to heaven, we look forward to the day when our brothers and sisters from every nation, tribe, people, and language will stand before the throne of God with white robes and palm branches worshipping the Lord with a united voice (Revelation 7:9-10). 

We will finally experience the reality of the HESED love of God that has not given up on us but has demonstrated his enduring commitment, loyal love, and generosity by staying committed to us even when we didn't stay committed to him. 

And that is one picture we hope to display on the day of our dowry payment. 

Two individuals from different cultures, coming together as one flesh to worship and serve God.

Two families from different nations, coming together as one body of Christ to demonstrate His glory.

Two tribes representing MANY people groups coming together to worship forever in Spirit and in truth.

12 more days until we prayerfully display this beautiful reality!