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
This verse was the response to her mother-in-law, Naomi, who had lost not only her husband but also her only two sons. Naomi wanted her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, to stay in Moab, the country of their birth. But she, Naomi would travel to her hometown of Bethlehem. In those days a childless widow was among the lowest and most disadvantaged. They had no support you and had to live on the generosity of strangers. Thus, Naomi was desperate and had to leave but didn’t want Ruth or Orpah to come with her as they had family in Moab.
But Ruth’s dedication to remain with Naomi was the noble and loving commitment of a daughter-in-law to a mother-in-law. Something we lack today. Naomi’s life and love of God made an indelible impression on Ruth. Naomi had lost her husband, her two sons…her entire family and yet she continued to honor God. Her character was impeccable. She trusted God to take care of her.
Ruth saw Naomi’s lifestyle and love for God but never gave up her gods. But when Naomi made the declared she would return to Bethlehem, that’s when Ruth left everything behind. Her gods. Her family. And took Naomi’s God, the one true God as her God. And stayed with Naomi for the rest of her life.
Her story is one that is beautiful. She honored her mother-in-law and God had mercy on her and gave her another husband.
The website women of noble character had these ten tips for being a better daughter-in-law:
How have you cultivated a relationship with your mother-in-law?