RPG Adults
THE BLESSING OF THE HOME (12)
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
Ruth 4:11-22
Proverbs 1:8-10
“Am not I better to thee
than ten sons?”
THE BLESSING OF THE HOME (12)
The time of old age is a difficult one for any person. It is a time of much heaviness, spent in looking back at how life had been lived, and reflecting on how one used to be. The strength and faculties that one had possessed are now no longer possessed, the choices and mistakes made in life are now clearer in their consequences, and fixed such that they cannot be changed. Even Solomon in speaking of old age presented to us that “thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them” (Eccles 12:1) and went on to paint a vivid picture and description of life in old age.
“…thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him” (Ruth 4:15). The reasons for Naomi to take comfort and be assured of her security in the days ahead were attached to the words of comfort and joy spoken to her. The reasons were all relational: the first being the present and continuing relationship with Ruth, and the second being the anticipated joy and relief from the birth of a son and the relationship it brought. Yet, as presented by the women, these two were not mutually exclusive, they were intrinsically related. The fact that Naomi’s future was secured by her relationship with Ruth was not new; it had been earlier attested to by Boaz in Ruth chapter 2. It was clear that Ruth loved her mother-in-law, as seen in her choice to leave her homeland and cleave to her mother-in-law. It was also clear that Ruth loved her mother-in-law by her actions and initiative to go out gleaning and make provision for their sustenance. And, finally, it was also clear that Ruth loved her mother-in-law by the open and honest relationship they had, how she honoured and obeyed her by not hiding things from her, and how she heeded Naomi’s advice and counsel. Therefore “thy daughter in law, which loveth thee” was a clear and sure statement that could be attested to by those who knew the relationship that Naomi had with Ruth. This was indeed very high praise for Ruth (a testimony to be desired by every child), and especially considering that it was said by the women of the city as they came to visit Naomi at the birth of Ruth’s son. How would people outside assess our relationship with our parents? What is the picture of how we regard our parents?
THOUGHT: God’s providence gave us to be children to our parents.
PRAYER: (Pray to live right to support our parents in their old age.)