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I'll Stay With You (Ruth and Naomi)
(sung by Jessica Perry and Lindy Kerby)
View Lyrics
This song was written to be a dramatization between Ruth and Naomi from the scriptures.
Brief History:
The book of Ruth begins with Naomi and her husband, as they travel to the land of Moab with their two sons.
Naomi's life seems to be plagued with many tragedies. First, they had to move to Moab to avoid a famine in the land. Then, once they are in Moab, Naomi's husband dies, followed by her two sons who had each taken wives of the Moabite women. This left Naomi a widow with two daughters in law, Orpah and Ruth. In their culture, it was proper for the women to be taken care of by their husbands, and then by their sons. Because Naomi lacked any support, Naomi was then in a destitute type of position with no way of taking care of or providing for herself or for her new daughters. "Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah."
It is unclear how long they went before the well known scene occurs that Naomi tells her daughters to return to their own land. Orpah returns, but Ruth stays, telling Naomi, "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 my people, and thy God my God..."
My thoughts
As I read this story, I wonder about the relationship between Naomi and her daughters in law. It's interesting to me that all 3 women started out on the journey. How far did Naomi get, before she realized that having her daughters with her would not be in their best interest. How hard was it originally for Naomi to send her daughters away? It seems clear that they loved each other very much.
I love the verses where Naomi is trying to convince her daughters in law to return to their own lands. She tells them how she is too old to bear any more children, and if she did, would they stay until her sons grew up so that they could then marry, and provide for them? This must have been a compelling argument, yet Ruth stays. Why does she stay? I wonder if it could have been because of Naomi's faith. Ruth could very well have returned to the land of Moab and found a husband to support her. But from this culture, Ruth would not have been free to worship the God that she loved. Could she have been happy? Maybe in her mind this was not even an option. I wonder if Ruth was willing to make the sacrifice because she believed so strongly in Naomi's faith, and in her God. She had her own testimony of Him.
This song is an idea of the exchange that might have taken place as Ruth and Naomi rejoice in their faith. Through whatever trials lay ahead or whatever might come, they were determined to serve their God.
I'll Stay With You
Naomi: (spoken)
Ruth, you've done everything you could do for me, you've been a great help and a great friend, but I couldn't ask you to stay...
Ruth: (spoken)
Naomi, don't ask me to leave, I've found the gospel. I love your ways, I'll go where you go, I'll live where you live, your God is my God.
Ruth:
I've been converted to the gospel, I know that it is true
and I would leave all that I own so I could stay with you.
There may be heart aches ahead, but I know the Lord will bless me
It's what I should do, so let me stay with you.
Naomi:
Through sorrow and grief, that only Christ my Savior knows
I've sought for relief, and He has sent me you
And now I'll rejoice (Now I'll rejoice) for how much He has blessed me
By the words you say, yes, I will stay with you.
Ruth:
I love your example, the way that you have lived
Naomi:
And the offering of your friendship is the sweetest gift
(Ruth and Naomi's parts sung together)
Ruth:
I've been converted to the gospel,
I know that it is true
and I would leave all that I own
so I could stay with you.
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Naomi:
Through sorrow and grief,
that only Christ my Savior knows
I've sought for relief,
and He has sent me you
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Ruth and Naomi:
Now I will rejoice
(Now I'll rejoice)
For how much He has blessed me
Ruth:
By the way you live
Naomi:
The service that you give
Ruth and Naomi:
Yes, I will stay with you
Our faith grows ever stronger
As we turn our lives to Him
and together we will give our pledge to Him
We will be honest and true
(Honest and true)
Steadfast and Immovable!
We will go where you lead
(Where you may lead)
in everything we do
I'll trust in Thy hand
and count my many blessings
For the friends you give
(For the lives we live)
Lord, I will stay with you
Lord I'll stay with you
(I'll stay with you)
Lord, I will stay with you!
Copyright © 2008 Lindy Kerby
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Copyright © 2008 Little Miracles LLC
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