Naomi lost her husband, then her sons, but her daughters-in-law loved her, and when she set her heart on returning to the Land of Israel, they begged to join her,
And they said to her, “Surely we will return with you to your people” (Ruth 1:10).
However, while she loved them, she insisted that they stay with their people and their homeland, but of course, we know that Ruth stayed with Naomi. However, listen to Naomi speak to them, and see how she thought entirely of them,
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? 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, 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!” (Ruth 1:11–13).
May the God of heaven create in each of us a heart like the heart of Naomi, who looked out for the interests of others more than she looked out for her own interests.
Don, thanks for the reminder of Ruth and Naomi. Wonderful story!Virgil Webb has a series on the book of Ruth at http://sunsetridgechurchofchrist.com/sermons.html.
LikeLike
Tom, and thanks for your kind words, and the link.
LikeLike