The Life and Times of Naomi, Mother-in-Law of Ruth

As a secondary character in the Old Testament book of Ruth, often times we don’t give too much attention to Naomi. Naomi was an extraordinary woman; even though it never says so in the bible explicitly, we can glean some wisdom from this woman from Bethlehem (Ruth 1:1). She was a Godly woman and strong in faith. She was a good wife, mother, and mother-in-law. With these credentials, one can hardly say much more.

When a famine was in the land of Judah, Naomi’s husband, Elimelech, moved his family to the land of Moab. While in Moab, Naomi’s sons grew up and married. One of these new daughters was Ruth whom is the main focus of the book. It is through Naomi that we are introduced to Ruth and through Ruth we see the attributes of Naomi reflected. You see when Naomi’s husband and sons died; she decided to return home to Bethlehem (1:5), and her daughters-in-law followed after her. Naomi told them this was unnecessary and to return home. This next part (1:8-14) is truly touching. It is our first glimpse into the personal life of Naomi. When she had told them to go back to Moab, the women did not want to leave. In fact they wept and pleaded with Naomi to stay. Naomi tried to reason with them and succeeded with one, but in verse 14 we see Ruth clinging to Naomi. How touching is this? What a great mother-in-law and what a Godly woman Naomi must have been to cause such distress in these two young women.

The next verse is perhaps the most touching verse of all. Verse 16 says "Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. (17) Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried. The LORD do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me." What an impression Naomi must have had on Ruth! What kind of a person Naomi must have been to cause such loyalty, honor and friendship.

Further on into the text, we see Naomi urging Ruth to seek the hand of Boaz, a rich relative. Ruth succeeds with the aid of Naomi and the two are married. This marriage is an extremely important. It is through this line that Jesus the Christ is born (Matt 1:5). You see, this son of Ruth and Boaz had a son named Jesse and Jesse is the father of King David. Picture what it would have been like if Ruth had not come home with Naomi.

Because of this friendship Naomi became the great-great grandmother of one of the most influential kings of Israel all because she lead a life for God. Naomi had a profound impact on Ruth, we can know this by the behavior of her on the road to Bethlehem.

I ask this question in closing. Christian, are you leading a life of Godliness? Are you the kind of person that would cause one to desire to leave all they know, follow after you and your God? Ruth had no idea she would marry a rich, handsome man and as a result, be in the lineage of the savior of the world when she begged Naomi to go with her. We as Christians, however, can know our actions and words will lead to salvation and a much greater inheritance than mere silver and gold. We have the opportunity and duty to live a life like Christ in order to seek and save the lost (Matt. 28:19-20)