Ruth 1:6 Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab… I. SHE RETAINED HER RELIGION — HER ALLEGIANCE TO THE ONE TRUE AND LIVING GOD — IN THE MIDST OF SURROUNDING IDOLATRY. II. SHE BELIEVED IN GOD EVEN IN THE MIDST OF ADVERSITY. III. SHE EXERCISED AN INFLUENCE FOR GOOD ON OTHERS. 1. On those who had known her intimately — her own household. 2. On those who had known her long — long enough to find out her true character. 3. On those who, according to all experience, are least easily influenced by one in her position — on her daughters-in-law. IV. SHE COULD DENY HERSELF FOR THE GOOD OF OTHERS. 1. It would have been an advantage to her to have these two strong, active young women with her to work for her in her old age. But a settlement would be easier for them in their own land than in Judah. So she bade them return, and was willing to go home alone. 2. She rose, too, above that petty jealousy which might have been excused in one so circumstanced, and wished them that provision which was the best security for rest and honour for a woman: "rest each of them in the house of her husband." Naomi's religion was no mere surface thing. It had become a part of herself. It had informed her character. It saved her from the corruptions of idolatry, from despair, and it enabled her to exercise a beneficent power over those who knew her best. What imperfect religion could do for her the sublime faith of Christ can do for all. (Joseph Ogle.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread. |
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