by John O'Malley
“And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it” (Ruth 4:16).
The relationship between Ruth and Naomi was sealed on their trip to Bethlehem-judah. On that journey of faith, Ruth selflessly and unconditionally pledged her heart to her mother-in-law. She promised to remain with Naomi. Wherever life’s events brought them, they were connected, connected at the heart. Ruth’s pledge said only death would part their relationship.
Even in death, Ruth pledged to be buried by her mother-in-law. Naomi had buried all the family she had since her marriage to Elimelech, yet Ruth would not allow her to be buried without family. She committed that day to be buried in the land of Naomi’s God and people.
Ruth’s love for her mother-in-law was one of honor and of the heart. Naomi represented the sole living connection to her deceased husband. Ruth was the last link to Naomi’s deceased husband and son. The bond between Naomi and Ruth was one that connected them at the heart.
The new life that followed redemption was now secure in the bosom of Naomi. This little lad could not yet know how valuable he was to these two women. Naomi and Ruth never could have known, when they discussed the impossibility of Ruth’s marrying a son to Naomi as they left Moab, that events would ever unfold as they had. Yet here in Naomi’s bosom was the fruit of God’s uniting a near kinsman with a childless widow who could restore the line of the Messiah.
Naomi, without recorded words, pledged from the heart to Ruth, “I will be the nurse to this child. I will faithfully nourish and support this child’s development; he is my son.” She committed to her daughter-in-law, “The child of your womb is the child of my heart.” From their journey to Bethlehem-judah, Naomi became Ruth’s mother-in-love. This moment only solidified that emotional connection as Naomi held the future in her hands—a future that would have been lost, were it not for redemption.
Your redemption has connected you to the heart of God. His love for you is beyond human description. He loved us though we were hopelessly and desperately useless to Him. However, He saw in us what He could make us and loved us. He came to earth, expressed His love of Calvary’s cross, and freely offered His redemption to all mankind. Yes, redemption connects our heart to Him. It is a universal connection; no matter the background, behavior, or burdens, He will redeem even to the uttermost.
Naomi became nurse to the child because of love. Perhaps today there is someone in your church family you have brought to the Lord that needs someone to faithfully nourish and support their spiritual development. You are connected at the heart to them. Do not allow other things to stand in your way to nurse a convert in their walk with the Lord. Rare is the person who will ignore a newborn baby and not pause to express their affection for this new life. We should do the same for the spiritual newborns around us; to whom will you become a spiritual nurse today?
Think about it...