Jeanie Martin Ministries

In Honor of Mother’s Day, I present “Naomi and Ruth.”

From the Female Promise Keeper Series: Agape Love

Key Verse: Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or turn back from you. Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God my God” Ruth 1:16.

There was a famine in Canaan, and Elimelech and his wife Naomi went to live in Moab. They had two sons, Mahlon and Chilion. Mahlon was the oldest. The family were Ephrathites from the tribe of Ephraim of Bethlehem, Judah.

Naomi’s husband died, leaving her a widow. However, her sons met and married Moabite women. Chilion married Orpah, and Mahlon married Ruth; both women were natives of Moab.

After living in Moab for approximately 10 years, Mahlon and Chilion died, leaving Naomi without a husband and her sons. And her daughter-in-law’s loss their husbands.

After the famine, Naomi decided to return to her homeland, Canaan. She decided that it was best for her daughters to return to their family’s home. She felt as though she had nothing to offer them because she was beyond years to remarry, and have sons for them to remarry, so she insisted that they go home to their families. So she kissed them goodbye and told them to return to their people.

They all wept, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye. On the other hand, Ruth considered herself a member of Naomi’s immediate family. Therefore, she respectfully said, “Don’t urge me to leave you or turn back from you. Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD do the same to me and more also, if anything but death separates me from you” (Ruth 1:16-17). So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem during the beginning of the barley harvest (v.22).

Making a Love Connection

Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side of the family, whose name was Boaz. As Boaz arrived from Bethlehem while greeting the harvesters, he noticed Naomi and asked who she was. The overseer told him that she came back from Moab with Naomi. She came to the field and has remained there since. Boaz then greeted Ruth, and he offered her steady work. He also gave her freedom to drink from the water jars whenever she was thirsty.

Ruth showed great appreciation to Boaz for his favor and kindness toward her in hiring her to work in the fields daily. As a result, she and Naomi were able to share in the extras that she brought home. So, Ruth remained to glean in Boaz’s barley and wheat field until the harvest was completed.

Naomi’s Relationship Tips

Using wisdom, Naomi began instructing Ruth on how to win Boaz’s heart. Little did she know that Boaz was captivated by Ruth at first sight. She told her to bathe and, after bathing, anoint herself with oil and dress in her finest clothing. Then go down to the threshing floor but stay out of Boaz’s sight until he has finished eating and drinking. Take notice of the place that he goes to lay down, and go and uncover his feet and lie down. Then wait for his instructions and follow them. So Ruth did exactly as her mother-in-law told her to do.

In the middle of the night, Boaz was startled because someone was there! He asked who was there, and she replied I am your maid, Ruth. Spread the hem of your garment over me, for you are a close relative and redeemer. And Boaz blessed her by the LORD and continued to give her further instruction (*to read his instructions, continue reading your Bible at Ruth 4:10-17). Then Naomi said, “Sit and wait, my daughter, until you learn how this matter turns out; for the Man will not rest until he has settled it today.”

Boaz Marries Ruth

Boaz and Ruth married, and after consummating their vows, The LORD enabled her to conceive a child, and she gave birth to a son. Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him. The women living there gave him a name, saying, “A son (grandson) has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed, which means worshiper.

Closing Thoughts…

Ruth had a deep commitment of loyalty to Naomi. She was kind, respectful, generous, considerate, loving and giving. She immediately sought work to provide for her mother. That’s Agape Love, the Jesus kind of love. The perfect love will ignite an ideal love story every time.

Ladies, we are fearfully and wonderfully made on the outside and inside. So much love that God decided to give us the most incredible names “Mothers, Wives, Daughters, Aunts, and SISTERS! I am proud and grateful to share a few of these names with you. You’re Beautiful, fearfully, and wonderfully made. God thought so highly of women that He chose us to give birth to His most prized possessions, human beings.

 

Have an Extraordinary Mother’s Day Ladies!

Blessings of my love to each of you!

 

 

“HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY, FROM JEANIE MARTIN MINISTRIES!”

*For full details of this message read: Ruth Chapters 1 through 4

Additional Scripture Reading: John 3:16-18; Romans 8:35-39

Resources: Holy Bible; Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary; Got Questions.org;

Photography Credit: Noire 3000 Bible, by James C. Lewis