Good and Mother-in-law are words you don’t hear often together. It’s more common to hear jokes about a mother-in-law than to revere her as good. We live in a society where age and experience are not revered as in other cultures. Most feel their generation has all the answers, and they think the older generation does not understand. Maybe it is because the older generation failed to teach respect and obedience. Maybe it is because too many of the older generation have not lived to be a godly example. For whatever reason, there is a lack of respect and love. It needs to change. Today we will look at a woman who taught and earned the respect of her daughters-in-law. Her name was Naomi.
Naomi was a woman who is only mentioned in the book of Ruth. Only 20 verses mention this mother-in-law who had such an impact on her family. Naomi was the wife of Elimelech, and there was a famine in Judah where they lived. Because of the famine, they moved to Moab. While there, their two sons married women from Moab. Naomi also became a widow, and both her sons died. In time Naomi determined she would go back to her home in Judah.
All three women were now widows, With all her blood relatives gone Naomi saw no reason to stay in Moab. Moab was a country that was known for its false religions. It was not like her homeland, which was known for being a people of the one true God, Jehovah. Naomi saw herself as a burden to her daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah. Naomi had gotten word that the famine was over and felt now was the time to return to Judah. Naomi must have been a mother-in-law who treated her daughters-in-law like her own children. They showed their love for her by leaving their family and homeland to journey with Naomi to Judah.
Ruth 1:6-7 “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. 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.”
Naomi loved both Ruth and Orpah very much and wanted what was best for them. She didn’t want to be a burden to them. She was old, and they were still young enough to have a family. In Ruth 1:8, she tells them to go back to their mothers’ homes. Both wept at the thought of leaving her.
Ruth 1:8-10 “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. 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. And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.”
Neither wanted to leave Naomi, but after much crying and insistence, Orpah returned to her home. Ruth would not. I find it interesting that the words that Ruth spoke to Naomi in verses 16 and 17 are the words used at a lot of weddings. These are words of commitment and honor.
Ruth 1:14-17 “And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her. 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. 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: 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.”
Naomi had a godly influence on Orpah and Ruth, but Ruth had come to love the God of Naomi, and it was only fitting that she would journey with the mother-in-law she loved so much. Naomi’s testimony and love for her God changed the course of history. It was through Naomi’s instruction that Ruth met Boaz and became the great-grandmother of David. Naomi was a mentoring, loving, mother-in-law. I do not believe Ruth followed Naomi out of pity, but genuinely loved her and was inspired by her. Ruth trusted Naomi and faithfully followed her.
Naomi loved both Orpah and Ruth and put their welfare above her own. She was not just being polite when she told them to return to their families. She wanted them to be where there was some security. Naomi is an example to all who have daughters-in-law. I have two that I dearly love as my own children. I believe the Bible when it says that the two will become one. If God sees them as one, then I should also. I should love them and be there for them as much as I am my own children. Too many young women have been hurt by a possessive mother-in-law who still sees her son as hers. They have failed to understand the words of Genesis 2:24 where a man is to leave his mother and father and cleave to his wife. When a man marries, his allegiance to his mom should not come before his wife. His relationship with his wife should only be second to his relationship with God, not children, not parents, and certainly not friends. I believe by the way these young women loved Naomi that, she was a great example of what a mother-in-law should be. I also believe that the best way you can love and help your son is to love his wife as your daughter.
Genesis 2:24 “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”
As a parent, you should start praying when your child is born for the one God has chosen for them. When they marry the one God has chosen, it will be much easier to let them go and love them as one.
