- Joined
- Oct 26, 2007
- Messages
- 12,204
But 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. Ruth 1:16 NKJV
Ruth wouldn’t have laughed at the best comedian’s mother-in-law jokes. Even though her widowed mother-in-law, Naomi, was a distraught old woman, Ruth emphatically declared her commitment to her. Ruth chose to do so not because of family obligation, but out of a conscious decision to leave her own pagan culture and embrace the love and community of her Jewish mother-in-law’s Lord God, maker of heaven and earth.
Ruth first shared her loyal care simply by her presence as they walked the long roads back to Bethlehem. Once they arrived, Ruth immediately began working to provide for Naomi. God allowed her to work in the fields aroused Boaz’s interest and revived Naomi’s own discouraged heart. In turn, Naomi began to care for Ruth, doing her part to bring about a secure marriage and home for her with Boaz.
Ruth chose to care for her mother-in-law and found herself cared for by the God of Israel. Boaz and Naomi were blessed by Ruth’s loyal love and the world has been blessed by her descendants—King David and, ultimately, the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5).
Prayer: Lord, You want me to care loyally for someone in my family. Who, Lord?
Ruth wouldn’t have laughed at the best comedian’s mother-in-law jokes. Even though her widowed mother-in-law, Naomi, was a distraught old woman, Ruth emphatically declared her commitment to her. Ruth chose to do so not because of family obligation, but out of a conscious decision to leave her own pagan culture and embrace the love and community of her Jewish mother-in-law’s Lord God, maker of heaven and earth.
Ruth first shared her loyal care simply by her presence as they walked the long roads back to Bethlehem. Once they arrived, Ruth immediately began working to provide for Naomi. God allowed her to work in the fields aroused Boaz’s interest and revived Naomi’s own discouraged heart. In turn, Naomi began to care for Ruth, doing her part to bring about a secure marriage and home for her with Boaz.
Ruth chose to care for her mother-in-law and found herself cared for by the God of Israel. Boaz and Naomi were blessed by Ruth’s loyal love and the world has been blessed by her descendants—King David and, ultimately, the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5).
Prayer: Lord, You want me to care loyally for someone in my family. Who, Lord?
