Ruth insists on going to Bethlehem with Naomi.

Ruth 1:14-18

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“Then they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. And she said, “Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” Ruth 1:14-15

Ruth and Oprah both lifted up their voices and cried at the thought of departing from their mother-in-law, Naomi. The major difference is that where Oprah kissed Naomi and returned to Moab [where the false god of Chemosh was served], Ruth clung to Naomi and returned with her to Bethlehem, Judah [where the God of Jesus Christ was served]. Ruth is our example of clinging to Jesus Christ as we travel through this world to the eternal New Jerusalem in the new heaven and earth. We do not want to give lip-service to God by living for the standards of this world while giving superficial kisses to Jesus.

Anyone can give kisses, hugs, kind words, flatteries, compliments, flowers etc. but those human sentiments are far from having a heartfelt devotion and Godly love for someone. In fact, it was by a kiss that Judas betrayed Jesus Christ, “For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.” Romans 16:18 “Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.” Colossians 2:18-19

People who have a form of Godliness but deny the power of the gospel of Christ are wolves in sheep clothing, “Beware of [those] who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves…having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” Matthew 7:15, 2 Timothy 3:5 “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.” 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

Ruth is an example to us of clinging to our Lord Jesus Christ, and we should say to Him what Ruth said, “Ruth said: “Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.” Ruth 1:16-17 “When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she stopped speaking to her.” Ruth 1:18 When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to follow her to Bethlehem, Judah, and to serve the God of Jesus Christ, she quit trying to turn her back to Moab.

Jesus came across a Gentile woman of Canaan, who was similar to Ruth who was a Moabite Gentile. The first response was to ignore and turn her away and send her back to where she came from, as Jesus Himself said He only came for the lost sheep of Israel, “And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.” But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.” But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Matthew 15:22-24

Like Ruth, the woman from Canaan was persistent not to accept, “No!” as an answer, but clung to Jesus in worship “Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” Matthew 15:25 Jesus answered her, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” Matthew 15:26 The woman continued to cling to Jesus with her faith in Him, “And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” Matthew 15:27 Like Naomi, Jesus stopped denying her request, “Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.” Matthew 15:28

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:1