by John O'Malley
“And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him” (Ruth 4:15).
The women rejoiced with Naomi. They shared testimonies with this new grandmother who was trying to assimilate the events of the day with the past dozen years or more. Her friends spoke of God’s goodness in supplying Boaz. They told of their confidence that Boaz would be all Naomi needed to live out her days in peace and joy. However, at the end of our focus verse today, they turn their testimony of praise to the mother of the baby, Ruth.
The town knew of Ruth. It was not every day a Moabite would convert from idolatry to God. Furthermore, it was not common to see a Moabite move to Bethlehem-judah. However, Ruth was no ordinary Moabite. No, she was a Gentile gem, cultivated by God from the sands of Moab, for the Messiah’s crown.
The testimony of her conversion became well known to the residents of Bethlehem-judah. You may remember Ruth’s words to Naomi: “And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me” (Ruth 1:16-17).
The testimony of her redemption was well known. Almost a year had passed since Boaz had stood in the gate and proclaimed his offer of redemption. Yes, the women of Bethlehem-judah knew Ruth's heritage, and they knew her heart. She loved Naomi and was committed to staying with her until death parted them.
The women praised Ruth to Naomi: “Thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.” Their tribute testifies of Ruth’s value and their esteem of her. She may have been the subject of a few whispers amongst the women in the town, perhaps even amongst some of these. However, they watched her movements and motives. They realized she was one of them, not by the heritage of her birth, but rather by heritage of her faith.
Ruth maintained a proper relationship to Naomi. She did not become envious of Naomi’s friends' praise on this the day of birth of her firstborn son. She knew that this was a matter of God’s hand blessing all of them. She did not seek to take anything away from this moment with pouting or worrying whether she would be recognized. She just held her baby and knew that the Almighty had been gracious to her, and He knew she had been faithful. Ruth’s contentment brought her beyond the realm of being Naomi’s daughter-in-law to being her daughter-in-love.
The women of Bethlehem-judah announced Ruth’s value was greater than having seven sons. If Naomi had one son, it was certainly special. However if she had seven sons, it would have distinguished Naomi as a mother with great value. In that culture, bearing sons represented security, sustenance, and continuance of the family line. However, Ruth’s quiet faithfulness distinguished her amongst the women of Bethlehem-judah. Her worth to Naomi was greater than if Naomi had given birth to seven sons.
Only God would take a Moabite and make her more valuable than a mother having seven sons. Only God would raise her estimation amongst women in that city who may have first decried her and now praised her. Ruth’s value was not tarnished by her words or actions. She was faithful, and God honored her.
What situation are you facing today? God does see, and He knows where you are. You need to purpose in your heart to make yourself valuable to Him. He will increase your value over time in the eyes of others. What is your testimony amongst your neighbors? What is your testimony amongst your in-laws?
Think about it...