The Faithful Daughter in Law

~~~ Ruth 1:1, 3-6, 14b-16, 22 ~~~ Psalm 146 ~~~ Matthew 22:34-40 ~~~

 

But Ruth said, “Do not ask me to abandon or forsake you!
For wherever you go, I will go, wherever you lodge I will lodge,
your people shall be my people, and your God my God.”

Ruth was completely loyal and dedicated to her mother in law, Naomi.

Ruth chose to remain with Naomi after her husband died.

In that time if you were a widow you literally had no one

to provide for you.

You were nearly reduced to becoming a beggar.

At this time Israel was in the clutches of a terrible famine.

 

Ruth treated Naomi with unconditional love.

She modeled for us exactly how we want God to care for us.

Ruth almost became one with Naomi.

She embraced all that Naomi embraced.

 

Ruth becomes the equivalent of Naomi's care giver.

Caring for her out of love; not out of duty.

It is the Lord himself who places on the heart of Ruth

 to care so deeply for Naomi.

 

 

Jesus tells us to love God with our whole being.

He also tells us the second commandment which is to

love your neighbor as yourself.

 

Ruth exemplified both of these great commandments.

She loved God and she loved her neighbor.

 

In God's perfect book of life

The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.

Ruth remains with Naomi and shares her lose; she shares her pain.

Naomi has now lost her husband and both of her sons.

 

The beautiful vow that Ruth makes to Naomi

reminds us of the marriage vows.

In fact this passage from Ruth is used at weddings.

When you are married the couple agrees to go together, to live together,

to share one another's friends, and to worship the same God together.

 

In the end Ruth is rewarded with marriage to a man of wealth.

The story of Naomi and Ruth is one of the most beloved 

stories in the Bible.

It is a story of loyalty, love,

and faith in God.

 

Blessings tucked inside being a faithful friend

or in this case a faithful daughter in law.