Last year we spoke on Eunice and Lois, the mother and Grandmother of Timothy. This year we look at a Mother and Mother-in-law. Part of this view will be through the eyes of her daughter in law. It may seem strange on Mother's Day to choose a text about a mother-in-law, but most mothers eventually become mothers-in-law. In turning to the Book of Ruth, we see Naomi is a good example for a mother and mother-in-law..

Why did Ruth leave her own family and go to a foreign land with her mother-in-law? It seems such an unusual thing to do. Surely her environment did not change, Ruth saw something in her mother in law that caused her to leave her home land. For this mother's day, let us look at what Ruth saw.

1. She Saw Her Mother-In-Law's Goodness
Ruth 1:1 Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. [2] And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. It is likely that Ruth saw Naomi as a good wife, Ruth herself became a good wife to Boaz. It is most likely that Ruth chose Naomi as a role model. Ruth also, must have seen Naomi as a good mother to her sons. Other wise Ruth would have returned to her own family. If by perchance that Noami was not a good wife or mother, it is certain that she saw Naomi as a good mother-in-law.

A. Her Adversity
Ruth 1:3 And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. [4] And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. [5] And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. The text points out that Naomi's family transgressed the law of the Word of the Lord, and joined affinity with a forbidden people, therefore their days were cut off.

They had forsaken their homeland of Bethlehem for the heathen country of Moab. This nation was certainly not the kind of nation that God wanted his people to associate with, the Israelites were forbidden by God to abide in Moab.

Elimelech probably died shorty after reaching Moab and the sons, (sickly and pinning) not long after their fathers departure. One does not have to imagine how Naomi felt, in knowing of this transgression. However, she was a mother, I have never seen a Christian mother who did not encounter some adversity in their life at one time or another.

There is a quick lesson in these numbers, as Naomi dwelt in Moab for about ten years. More than nine and less than ten. Nine is the number for judgment and ten is the number for testimony. Even in her hour of adversity, Naomi still shared a good testimony.

B. Her Appealing
Ruth 1:6 Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread. [7] 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. By herself, her family gone, Naomi hears that the famine that had driven her family from the homeland has passed. The daughters in law saw something very appealing in Naomi that made them want to leave their homeland and go with Naomi.

Everyone that is saved should try to magnify this special natural inward beauty of the Christian life that will make others see the attributes of Jesus Christ.

C. Her Appreciation
Ruth 1:8-9 And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me. [9] The Lord grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept. Naomi expresses appreciation to both of her daughters-in-law She expresses good wishes for them. It is almost a prayer, their weeping shows a bond of love between them. Wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone loved their in laws and out laws.

I never have enjoyed hearing mother-in-law jokes. If the love of a Christian don't lead one to love their mother in law, then there is something wrong. In the same breath I never have enjoyed seeing a mother-in-law try to run ones family.

2. She Saw Her Mother-In-Law's Grace
Ruth 1:10-13 And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people. [11] And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? [12] Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons; [13] Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me. In context, Naomi further explained the severity of their plight by reminding the girls that even if she were to remarry immediately and bear a son, they would never wait for him to be fully grown to marry their brother's widows. This is according to the Old Testament law, therefore, she concluded that it would be better for them to return to their own families.

Now back to what Ruth saw, we know that Noami was grieving, as shown in her name in just a few moments. So we know that Ruth saw her mother in law's grief. However, I am persuaded to believe that she saw the Grace of God in Naomi's grief.

A. Her Grace Was Real
Ruth 1:14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her. [15] And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law. [16] And Ruth said, 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: [17] Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. As the drama further unfolds we find that these three women wept again. The touching personal details of the story reveal the reality of the account. As they stood there crying, Orpah kissed Naomi goodbye and left her, but Ruth clave unto Naomi, she literally clung to her mother in law.

If anyone is to shake the grief in such a tragic lost that Naomi suffered, it will have to be with the Grace of God and some good friends. Thank God Naomi had Ruth to help console her in her hour of grief. So in Naomi's grief, did Ruth see that new Grace that God gives in these hours of need.

I think so, for we hear Ruth making this statement. "Your people will be my people” but the most important words are “and your God my God.” Ruth saw Jehovah God as superior to the gods of Moab. This was a very brave, outspoken confession of faith. Please to notice that it was made by a woman, a young woman, a poor woman, a widow woman, seeing grief and grace. Thank God Grace overshadowed grief. One is never isolated from Life's tragedies, whatever comes, we can depend upon God's Good Grace.

B. Her Grace Was Redemptive
Verse 18 When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her. Ruth's vow not to leave Naomi was in itself a confession of her faith in the God of Israel. Entreat me not to leave thee means "do not insist that I return.” Ruth promised Naomi that wherever she went and wherever she lodged she would also go and that thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God. Thereby, Ruth clearly proclaimed her desire to become a follower of the Lord and of the people of Israel.

It certainly reveals the genuine spiritual decision and the character of Ruth's determination to do that which was right. Her correct decision would lead to untold blessing in the future! Finally, Naomi sensed Ruth's sincere determination to return with her to Bethlehem and gave up her attempt to dissuade her. Pfeiffer notes that it was a testimony to the influence of her mother-in-law that Ruth was willing to entrust herself to the God whom she worshiped (Ruth in the Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 269).

3. She Saw Her Mother-In-Law's God
Ruth 1:19 So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi? 20 And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. 21 I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me? 22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest. I have seen it many times over, when folk leave, thinking the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. No doubt, all of the true pastors have seen people leave full and come back empty and bitter. However, we are trying to look at what Ruth saw and now we see Ruth being brought into the promise land.

What a challenge for all of our Mother's and Mothers-in-law to live up to. Willing to bring Ruth into the blessing of the Lord. Naomi and Ruth returned at a propitious time when God again was blessing His people.

Might I add that it is a prosperous thing when anyone is brought in the the will of God. When the Israelites were in the promise land, it is a picture of the Church being in the will of God.

A. Her Gift Of Faith
Ruth 4:14-15 And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. [15] And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him. Naomi gave Ruth a great gift: faith. Ruth gave Naomi a great gift: a child who was the ancestor of King David and King Jesus. Today is the day to be thankful for the things our mothers (and mothers-in-law) have given us. It is also a day to give something back to them.Faith did insulate her so that they could be endured. It was a tough faith, an indestructible faith.

B. Her Gift Of A Family
Ruth 4:16-18 And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it. [17] And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David. She had this faith in spite of all that had gone wrong. This is true of many great believers in the Bible. It is certainly true of David in the Old Testament and of Paul in the New Testament. Life was not easy for them and it may not be easy for us, but faith can live in our hearts even in the most difficult circumstances. We often use these words of Ruth's at weddings, but they come from a different setting and they bless and guide us today.

Roger Pickett
105 Pickett St.
Jonesville, N.C. 28642

Dayspring Baptist Chapel
5/6/01

Mailed 5/06/01

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