I just finished preaching the book of Ruth with my church. I looked back at the last few months preaching through Ruth and I thought about how one of the most powerful moment in the book was when Ruth, a widow, profess her loyalty to her mother in law Naomi and how Ruth was going to stay with her mother in law to help this older widow out. Listen to the words of Ruth 1:16=
But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or turn back 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.
What particularly stands out to me is the last part of the verse: “Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.”
While reading a recent history book I found out how this verse was quoted and used in another important historical moment.
It goes back to 1941. A year that was a difficult year for England. The US has not yet been involved with World War Two. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom at that time was Winston Churchill. He wanted to convince America to help out England as much as possible. But that road would not be easy.
Let me let you read this story from a news blog:
In 1941 Roosevelt sent one of his most trusted advisors to Europe, to get a sense of the situation of the ground. His name was Harry Hopkins. Roosevelt was under immense domestic pressure not to enter the war. But he knew that if Britain and Russia collapsed, the history of the world would forever be altered.
First his envoy went to Russia. Then to Britain. He met Churchill, and was given a tour of the armed capabilities of the British army. His mission was to report on how badly American intervention was needed.
On the last night of his visit, historian the late Martin Gilbert tells us, Churchill and Hopkins were given dinner in Glasgow by the Regional Commissioner for Scotland, Tom Johnston, at the Station Hotel. After dinner, Hopkins replied:
“I suppose you wish to know what I am going to say to President Roosevelt on my return. Well, I’m going to quote you one verse from that Book of Books … ‘Whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.’” Then he added very quietly: “‘Even to the end.’”
Observers present saw the Prime Minister in tears. He knew what it meant.
To think the great orator Prime Minister was moved by what someone said is incredible; and more incredible is that Harry Hopkins was not saying something original but quoted a verse in the Bible: Ruth 1:16.
This incident in 1941 shows how moving are the words in this passage. “Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.” Like Naomi, Churchill was in a desperate situation. For Churchill the sake of the world hangs in the balance before him. I would also say for Naomi in hindsight the sake of the world hangs in the balance before her too although she might not necessarily understood all of it in the beginning. And like Naomi Churchill had someone that wanted to help and identify with him and her in a very deep way.
Again let those words sink in: “Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.” That’s the loyal love Ruth has for her mother in law Naomi. I think it is a good example for us but it’s also more than an example for us. As amazing as Ruth’s loyal love for Naomi was there’s still a greater love than that which is the love of God for sinners and His work to make them saved by the grace of God through Christ alone. Yes. It is a great love. Whereas Ruth said “Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God” God the Son instead said “I will become like my people (in his humanity) in order for Me to be their God.” Two thousand years ago God the Son was sent by God the Father to be born to the Virgin Mary, to live a perfectly sinless life and then die for our sins. What a beautiful love story. What an amazing truth from the Greatest Story Ever told.
God could not possibly have done anything more than He did because He literally sent the personification of Himself to us in the person of His Son, who then gave Himself for us, so that we might be with Him, while we were yet sinners, without violating His own holiness and yet demonstrating the depth of His love. Restoring what was originally in the Garden of Eden and the finale is yet to come! Beautiful. Grace and blessings to you and yours this day Jim. – Bruce
Bruce may your day be filled with thoughts of praise and thanksgiving of the Incarnation, that the Messiah came to save us from our sins! What does your day look like today?
Christmas dinner here for about 25, won’t be quiet for much longer!
Merry Christmas! What does your day look like today?
Quiet. Some sun and a bit cool for south Florida. (glad for that!)
[…] via Ruth 1:16, Winston Churchill and the Incarnation — The Domain for Truth […]
Thanks, Jimmy. What a “leap of faith” it took for Ruth to follow Naomi and to trust in Naomi’s (the only true) God. I enjoyed the historical reference. Have a Merry Christmas today with your family!
You’re welcome!! The last two days has been busy with families on both sides and church. I imagine your steps are down with all the festivities? Merry Christmas Tom!
Thanks, Jimmy, and Merry Christmas to you! Only 5.7K steps so far today. Took the daily walk, worked on the powder room a bit (a carpenter recently installed crown molding and that day I prepped it for painting), did my workout and now I’m just vegging until our son and crew comes over at 4pm. I’m going to try not to overeat tonight. Hope you and your family enjoy the festivities!
Beautiful post! Merry Christmas Jim to you and yours!
Merry Christmas! Are you two seeing family on this Christmas Day?
We got together with my folks this morning before they left for FL. I’ve spent the remainder of today crying haha. How is Christmas for you and your peeps?!
Love the book of Ruth! Merry Christmas! 🎄
Merry Christmas! Spending time with family today?
Yes, I had dinner with my mom and cousins. Hope your day was enjoyable as well!
Wow, I love this connection, thank you for explaining it!
You’re welcome and Merry Christmas! Is it a snowy Christmas where you guys live?
Yes sir, snowy and 19 degrees. It was a beautiful white Christmas, growing up in Texas I never saw that!
Hi brother Merry Christmas to you and your family! Check out this Bible Verse. Luke 2:11 English Standard Version (ESV)
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Beautiful passage for today; doing things with family and relatives?
Reblogged this on Reformed Calvinist..
Amen Jim, beautiful! Merry Christmas!
you had me a Churchill Jim … 🙂
You know he’s my hero among our “worldly” leaders and not that he was a man of deep faith in the Creator…he was however the man who the Creator saw fit to serve the world during such a dark time…
I am almost ashamed to say I only started to read about him last year at this time. The more I read about him the more I respect him. What an incredible life and leadership he displayed. How is your Christmas?
It seems like a blurr Jim– drove up yesterday…just for Brenton and Gregory to put toys together in the basement while Abby and I cooked and watched the kids—We did the morning Santa, cooked breakfast, kept the kids occupied while they packed things up to travel to Abby’s family—we got home about 3—
I told Gregory that I felt that Christmas wasn’t Christmas as I don’t like feeling rushed on the both Christmas Eve and Christmas.
But such is life when you have to share your time.
I bet you may know something about all of that 😉
I trust yours was delightful!!!
And as far as Winston is concerned—I have an entire bookcase dedicated to him.
Biographies, his own books, etc.
My husband calls it a shrine of sorts—I have period pieces of memorbilla such as figurines, pipes, china pieces, a bronze bank, early 20th century British knick knacks, WWII mementos to actual photographs—original photographs from the Chicago Tribune, etc…from Yalta with FDR and Stalin along with several photographs from his last term as PM…to a signed Penley print…yeah, a shine of sorts… 🙂
Jim, thanks for sharing the application of Ruth 1:16 to real life situations such as the dire situation faced by Great Britain before the Americans entered the war. God’s Word carries across many valleys in our lives.
Reblogged this on a simple man of God.
That’s really neat to learn about, thanks for sharing SlimJim 😊
[…] do Ruth 1:16, Winston Churchill and the Incarnation have in common? SlimJim of The Domain for Truth answers this burning question. If you think history […]
Very powerful