Cleaving Closely

"Ruth clave… and Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go… the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me" (Ruth 1:14-17).  "There is a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24).  "Having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end… So after He had washed their feet… and was set down again, He said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?" (John 13:1,12 ).

The ties of love Naomi saw,

When Ruth determined not to leave,

Were closer bonds than mere "in law"

That prompted her to closely cleave.

This kind of cleaving to the end

Is found in those who know the favor

Of Jesus Christ, our closest Friend,

Who gave Himself to be our Savior. 

Until the end, Christ loved His own

And showed them when He washed their feet

That greater love was never shown,

So humble, merciful, and sweet.  

O Lord, we're cleaving closely now

To You because You loved us first!

You wore the thorns upon Your brow

To draw and save us who were cursed.