It is Decision that

Determines Destiny
Ruth 1:1 – 18
 Background
• The book of Ruth was written during difficult, dark
days.
• Judges 21:25 – “In those days there was no king in Israel
and every man did that which was right in his own eyes”
The Principle of a Willing
Choice
• Ruth 1:1-2 (NIV)
• In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in
the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together
with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in
the country of Moab. 2 The man’s name was
Elimelek, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of
his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were
Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to
Moab and lived there.
The Principle of a
Willing Choice
• We are free to choose.
• Deuteronomy 30:19 - “This day I call the heavens and
the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before
you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose
life, so that you and your children may live”
The Principle of a
Willing Choice
• We are not free not to choose.
• Matthew 12:30 – “Whoever is not with me is against
me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”
The Principle of a
Willing Choice
• We are not free to choose the consequences of our
choice.
• Our choices inevitably bring consequences into our lives
and into the lives of those close to us.
The Problems of a
Wrong Choice
• Three basic reasons:
1. He had a wrong motive
2. He had a wrong method.
3. He had a wrong master.
The Problems of a
Wrong Choice
1. He had a wrong motive.
• Ruth 1:1 – “In the days when the judges ruled, there was
a famine in the land.”

• He placed the physical above the spiritual.

• Psalm 37:25 – “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never
seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.”
• Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first his kingdom and his
righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
The Problems of a
Wrong Choice
2. He had a wrong method.
• Elimelech walked by sight, not by faith.
• Psalm 55:6 – “I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove!
I would fly away and be at rest.”
• Isaiah 40:31 – “but those who hope in the LORD will
renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not
be faint.
The Problems of a
Wrong Choice
3. He had the wrong master.
• Elimelech’s choice brought consequences.
• It brought about death. (v.3-5)
• It brought about deprivation.
The Power of a Wise
Choice
• Ruth 1:7 – 14
• Orpah kissed her mother-in-law
• But Ruth clave unto Naomi.
The Power of a Wise
Choice
• Ruth 1:15 – 18
“Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and
15

her gods. Go back with her.”

But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you.
16 

Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be
my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I
will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even
death separates you and me.”
The Power of a Wise
Choice
• Ruth had previously lived a cursed life.
(Deuteronomy 23:3)
• Ruth had a crushed life.
• Ruth had a condemned life.

But when Ruth decided to stay with Naomi

and serve the living God, all things became
new. 
7 Elements of Ruth’s
Decision
1. There was new determination (v. 16 – 18)
2. There was a new direction. (v. 16)
3. There was a new dependence. (v. 16)
4. There was a new desire. (v. 16)
5. There was a new devotion. (v. 16)
6. There was a new dedication. (v. 17)
7. There was a new destiny. (v.17)
 CONCLUSION
• Ruth’s decision to go to Bethlehem with Naomi
changed the course of her life.
• Ruth chose life.
• Call upon Jesus today. Repent/Turn from your sins,
and turn to Jesus. Ask Him to forgive you of your
sins, and acknowledge Him as Lord of your life.