Daily Power-up: Ruth 1:8–19, 4:13–17
Ruth 1:8-19:
8 And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each to her mother’s house. The Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. 9 The Lord grant that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband.”
So she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept. 10 And they said to her, “Surely we will return with you to your people.”
11 But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Are there still sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? 12 Turn back, my daughters, go—for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, if I should have a husband tonight and should also bear sons, 13 would you wait for them till they were grown? Would you restrain yourselves from having husbands? No, my daughters; for it grieves me very much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord has gone out against me!”
14 Then they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.
15 And she said, “Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.”
16 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.
17 Where you die, I will die,
And there will I be buried.
The Lord do so to me, and more also,
If anything but death parts you and me.”
18 When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she stopped speaking to her.
19 Now the two of them went until they came to Bethlehem. And it happened, when they had come to Bethlehem, that all the city was excited because of them; and the women said, “Is this Naomi?”
Ruth 4:13-17:
13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. 14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel! 15 And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.” 16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her bosom, and became a nurse to him. 17 Also the neighbor women gave him 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.
Personal Reflection: Naomi
Wouldn’t every woman want a mother-in-law like Naomi? A woman that is so loving, so thoughtful that you wouldn’t want to go home to your own family after the death of your husband. What a dream woman. When she told them to go back to their families, the daughters-in-law cried. Orpah did go back, but Ruth stayed with her loving mother-in-law. Ruth even stated the words to a song I knew as a child, as my three of my older sisters had “Wither Thou Goest” sung at their weddings. We don’t sing this song anymore in church, but the words are prudent even today. For this, Naomi was in the family line of Jesus. Ruth had so much love and trust in Naomi that she was willing to follow her guidance.
As a young lady I was given a book to read on couples of the Bible. I remember reading of the love between Naomi and Elimelech. I remember the romance between Ruth and Boaz. The Godly influence of my mother as I was growing helped to turn me into the woman I am today. No, she wasn’t perfect; but who is? Could we as mothers, mothers-in-law, friends, be as kind, trustworthy, or God-like that our young people could trust our advice or guidance. Something to be considered and prayed about.
Barbara Karge
Juanette, Barbie, Shirley, Cupid, Bethene, Mom, Jeanette. These are her mom’s girls. Gladys Mae Smith Prewitt loved being a mother, as she truly enjoyed children. Barb was blessed to be a part of this family with a loving mother.
Bible in a Year: Psalms 133
This Bible reading plan explores The Word based on the chronological order in which it was written, and is unrelated to the daily character devotions.
The Word of Promise audio Bible is used by permission. For more information and to purchase the complete audio Bible go to https://www.wordofpromiseapp.com/.
Psalm 133
Blessed Unity of the People of God
A Song of Ascents. Of David.
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil upon the head,
Running down on the beard,
The beard of Aaron,
Running down on the edge of his garments.
3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
Descending upon the mountains of Zion;
For there the Lord commanded the blessing—
Life forevermore.