The Power of Example
Ruth 1:16, 19-22
Introduction
It may seem strange on Mother’s Day to choose a text about a mother-in-law, but most mothers eventually become mothers-in-law. Naomi is a good example for both.
Why did Ruth leave her own family and go to a foreign land with her mother-in-law? It seems such an unusual thing to do.
I. She Saw How Naomi Handled Herself in the Family
A. Ruth saw Naomi as a good mother to her sons.
Otherwise Ruth would have returned to her own family.
B. She also saw her as a good wife.
Ruth herself became a good wife to Boaz.
It seems likely that she took Naomi as her model.
C. Saw Naomi as a good mother-in-law.
1. Naomi expresses appreciation to both of her daughters-in-law (Ruth 1:8).
2. She expresses good wishes for them. It is almost a prayer (Ruth 1:9).
3. Their weeping shows a bond of love between them (Ruth 1:9, 14).
D. Both Naomi and Ruth were ancestors of King David and therefore ancestors of our Lord Jesus Christ.
E. It is probable that Mary’s family reminded her of her distant ancestors and held up Naomi and Ruth as examples of what a good mother ought to be.
F. This is reinforced for us when we recall how Jesus followed the commandment: "Honor thy Father and Mother."
II. She Saw How Naomi Handled Grief.
A. The grief was real (Ruth 1:21).
B. The grief was honest and human (Ruth 1:20).
C. Still her grief did not destroy her faith. She complained against God (understandably) but she still believed.
III. She Saw That the Source of Naomi’s Strength Lay in her Faith.
A. We are touched by the phrase ( v16 ) "thy people will be my people" but the most important words are "and thy God my God."
B. She saw Jehovah God as superior to the gods of Moab.
C. This was not -- because she had no sorrows, no tragedies, no disappointments. Faith did not isolate her from the harsh realities of life.
Faith did insulate her so that they could be endured.
D. She had this faith in spite of all that had gone wrong.
This is true of many great believers in the Bible. It is certainly true of David in the Old Testament and of Paul in the New Testament. Life was not easy for them and it may not be easy for us, but faith can live in our hearts even in the most difficult circumstances.
E. It was a tough faith—an indestructible faith.
Conclusion
We often use these words of Ruth’s at weddings, but they come from a different setting and they bless and guide us today.
Illustration
Naomi gave Ruth a great gift: faith. Ruth gave Naomi a great gift: a child who was the ancestor of King David and King Jesus. Today is the day to be thankful for the things our mothers (and mothers-in-law) have given us. It is also a day to give something back to them.
There are also those surrogate mothers: people who filled the role of mother or were a mother figure to children who were not biologically theirs. Many have been blessed by foster mothers and step-mothers, and even by neighbors who provided a mother image when it was needed. Let us be thankful for them and express our thanks to them as well.