Ruth Respected Bitter Naomi

Ruth’s story in Ruth 1-4 is a treasure of wisdom for dealing with difficulties in our lives. Ruth Beat the Odds and she Overcame Ethnic Prejudice.  

She also dealt biblically with a bitter mother-in-law.

Naomi was understandably grieved after the death of her husband and sons. But her bitterness made her self-focused and ungrateful for God's wonderful provision (Ruth 1:20-21).  

Ruth's husband of ten years was dead, and she appeared to be infertile.(1) But she didn't give in to bitterness, fear, or self-pity. And she continued to give bitter Naomi grace, love, and respect when many daughters-in-law would have given up.

God doesn’t command adults to “obey” parents or in-laws, but He often speaks through them.(2) Sadly, we are more apt to ignore our elders than listen to them.

1 Peter 5:5 says: "You who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'"(3) 

This is an important element in the story of Ruth: she respected the advice of her imperfect elder and was greatly blessed!   

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Notes: 

If you are married, I encourage you to read this related devotion: Was Naomi a Good Mother-in-Law?

(1) To be married for 10 years and have no children was probably due to Ruth's inability to conceive. As an infertile woman, her chances to remarry would have been low in these ancient cultures where childbearing was important. Some Bible scholars believe that the wording of Ruth 4:13 implies that only through a miracle of God was she able to conceive after marrying Boaz.

(2) Ruth does not blindly obey Naomi.

Ruth listened first and foremost to the Lord, which is why she respectfully but firmly refused Naomi’s advice to return to her pagan gods (Ruth 1:1-18). 

Ruth could have ignored Naomi's advice from that point on, assuming it was simply the view of a bitter old woman. But Ruth didn't do that. She continued to treat Naomi with respect, knowing the Lord could guide her through the advice of her elder. Many modern Christians make needless mistakes and miss wonderful blessings by judging their elders instead of honoring them. But that doesn't mean we must always agree with their advice.

Bible Love Notes