Naomi Who Was Ruth’s Mother-In-Law
Why did Naomi change her name after her husband’s death?
Naomi’s original name was ‘Naomi”. When she lost her family, she changed her name from ‘’Naomi’’ to ‘’Mara”. The meaning of Naomi was happiness while the meaning of Mara was bitterness. She considered her life useless and bored after her family lost. So she changed her name as her life changed.
Introduction
Naomi was a widow. She belonged to Bethlehem. Naomi’s husband’s name was Elimelek, she had two sons, whose name was Mahlon and Kilion. Naomi’s story is in the book of Ruth. When there was a famine in Bethlehem, Naomi moved with her family to Moab. . When they got there, Naomi’s son and husband died. She was left a widow. Naomi was a person who had a lot of sorrows in her life, yet she was not low-spirited, but a very patient and determined woman.
Verse
“In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. The man’s name was Elimelek, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there.” (Ruth 1:1-2)
Great Loss of Naomi
After the death of Naomi’s husband and sons, she was completely broken. Her two daughters-in-law also became widowed. Naomi decided that she would go back to her hometown and get her sustenance from there. Naomi told her widowed daughters-in-law to go to their homes. One of her daughters-in-law, named Ruth, said that she would live with her till her last breath.
Verse
“Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.” (Ruth 1:20-21)
Loyalty of Ruth Towards Naomi
Naomi thought that her life had become very hollow and she was left alone. Further, she had to spend the rest of her life lonely. She told her daughters-in-laws that it is better for you to stay at your parents’ house, so go there. But Ruth refused to leave her and said that she would not leave her and remained faithful to Naomi throughout her life. Naomi told her that she should not be stubborn and go home, but Ruth did not listen to her and made the decision that she would stay with Naomi for the rest of her life. Ruth’s faithfulness helped her to live life again.
Verse
But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” (Ruth 1:16-17)
Wisdom of Naomi
Did you know that David was the great- grandson of Ruth? There is a story behind this about how David could be Ruth’s great grandson. When Ruth thought of spending her life with Naomi, they both started living together. To make ends meet, Ruth began picking grain in a field. Actually, the field belonged to a man named Boaz. Naomi realized that Boaz was a good person and would be a perfect companion for Ruth. Naomi explains to Ruth that she is a widow. She must find a perfect husband for herself, so that her life can be perfect and she can also have an heir. Therefore, Ruth established contact with Boaz. From which love was established between them. Then Ruth and Boaz got married. As a result of their marriage, a son was born named Obed. Then the son who was born from the marriage of Ruth’s grandson was named David.
Verse
Her mother-in-law asked her, “Where did you glean today? Where did you work? Blessed be the man who took notice of you!”Then Ruth told her mother-in-law about the one at whose place she had been working. “The name of the man I worked with today is Boaz,” she said. “The Lord bless him!” Naomi said to her daughter-in-law. “He has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead.” She added, “That man is our close relative; he is one of our guardian-redeemers.” (Ruth 2:19-20)
Verse
One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided for. Now Boaz, with whose women you have worked, is a relative of ours. Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do.” (Ruth 3:1-4)
Birth of Obed
Naomi, who thinks her life is over, is resurrected when Ruth gives birth to a son. After Boaz and Ruth got married, God gave them good news in the form of a son whom they named Obed. Naomi was very happy and many people came to congratulate her. After Obed and Jesse, David came to the world. David was the great-grandson of Ruth.
Verse
“So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When he made love to her, the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. The women said to Naomi: “Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.”Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him. The women living there said, “Naomi has a son!” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.” (Ruth 4:13-17)
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Naomi’s life has taken a 180-degree turn after Ruth‘s faithfulness. Initially, Naomi’s life was very sad, but when Ruth married Boaz, her family was blessed with a son. After that, Naomi’s life was full of happiness. God never disappoints those who are faithful and always fill their life with happiness.
Verse
“Don’t call me Naomi,”she told them. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.” (Ruth 1:20-21)
