MOTHER-IN-LAW

Elimelech, who was from Bethlehem, (which means house of bread and praise) married Naomi (which means pleasant).  And they had two sons, Mahlon and Chilion.  When a famine hit the area of Bethlehem, they moved to the land of Moab.  It says that they remained there, however, both men married and died.

As time slipped by, the decision was made to go back to Jerusalem.  Both women decided to go with Ruth.  Ruth is quite perceptive and encourages them to remain in Moab.  Orpha agrees, but Ruth has established a relationship with her mother- in-law, and decides to continue with Ruth.

One has to conclude that this is remarkable, a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law in a very close relationship.  However, the subsequent events show the confidence that each had in the other.  Instead of any negativity, we see only total faith and faithfulness.

There is no indication of Naomi still having mental ties to her son.  Later in the story Ruth marries Boaz and they have a child.  Naomi has the joy of tenderly caring for her grand-child.

I am throwing out a challenge to the appropriate individuals; establish this type of relationship with your mother-in-law.   Make the bond so tight that it is impossible to break, but becomes more intact as the difficulties of life simply become spring-boards for the future.

As Ruth committed herself to Naomi, you can read in the Book of Ruth, Chapter 1, verses 16 and 17: “Do not urge me to leave you, or turn back from following you, for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge.  Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.  Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried.   Thus may the Lord do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me.” 

Recall, if you will, a most interesting verse of Holy Writ:

“Salomon was the father of Boaz by Rahab; Boaz was the father of Obeb by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse.” Matthew 1:5   “So committed were these folk to God and each other, that we find them in the genealogy of Jesus.”