 |
| Naomi and her two daughters-in-law. |
Naomi wife of Elimelech, an Israelite, and mother of Mahlon and Chilion. One of her daughters-in-law was Ruth, the Moabitess, who first was married to Mahlon in the land of Moab but later became the wife of Boaz. The other daughter-in-law was Orpah, wife of Chilion.
After her two sons died, Naomi returned to Bethlehem-Judah, the land of her people, which she and her husband and sons had left during a famine. Ruth returned with her, but Orpah kissed her mother-in-law at the city gate and turned back to Moab. Naomi and Ruth pressed on together to Beth-lehem.
When Naomi returned to her people, she said, "Call me not Naomi, call me Mara'' Ruth 1:20, which meant "bitterness'' for the Almighty had dealt bitterly with her during her ten years' absence, she told her friends. She had gone forth from Bethlehem with a husband and two sons but had returned husbandless, motherless, and penniless.
By gleaning in the fields of her father-in-law's kinsman Boaz, Ruth supported her mother-in-law. Later Naomi counseled with Ruth how to win Boaz as a husband, for according to the levirate law of that time she could become his wife, as he was a near kinsman.
Naomi rejoiced to see Boaz later marry Ruth. To them was born Obed, a child who became a "restorer'' of Naomi's life and a "nourisher'' of her old age. Neighbors now said to Naomi, "Thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.'' Ruth 4:15
Ruth's pledge of devotion to Naomi, as they left Moab for Beth-lehem, is unsurpassed in all literature. Naomi must have been lovable to have had Ruth speak to her these immortal words: "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.'' Ruth 1:16-17
After her two sons died, Naomi returned to Bethlehem-Judah, the land of her people, which she and her husband and sons had left during a famine. Ruth returned with her, but Orpah kissed her mother-in-law at the city gate and turned back to Moab. Naomi and Ruth pressed on together to Beth-lehem.
When Naomi returned to her people, she said, "Call me not Naomi, call me Mara'' Ruth 1:20, which meant "bitterness'' for the Almighty had dealt bitterly with her during her ten years' absence, she told her friends. She had gone forth from Bethlehem with a husband and two sons but had returned husbandless, motherless, and penniless.
By gleaning in the fields of her father-in-law's kinsman Boaz, Ruth supported her mother-in-law. Later Naomi counseled with Ruth how to win Boaz as a husband, for according to the levirate law of that time she could become his wife, as he was a near kinsman.
Naomi rejoiced to see Boaz later marry Ruth. To them was born Obed, a child who became a "restorer'' of Naomi's life and a "nourisher'' of her old age. Neighbors now said to Naomi, "Thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.'' Ruth 4:15
Ruth's pledge of devotion to Naomi, as they left Moab for Beth-lehem, is unsurpassed in all literature. Naomi must have been lovable to have had Ruth speak to her these immortal words: "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.'' Ruth 1:16-17
No comments:
Post a Comment
Constructive comments are appreciated. All comments are moderated and do not immediately appear after publishing. Thanks and have a nice day!