Everyone Who Loves Their Mother-in-law, Raise Your Hand!

If you could see through this computer, you would see that I have both hands raised! I have been blessed with a wonderful mother-in-law. She has always been supportive, never interfering, and shown kindness. She has been my “mother-in-law role model.” Is she perfect? No. Am I perfect in my role as a mother-in-law . . . almost . . . just kidding!!!

Of the spiritual truths found in the story of Ruth and Naomi . . . love, faith, the family redeemer, to name a few . . . I want to comment on God’s commandment . . .

“Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:2-3 NLT)

When Naomi lost her husband and sons, she could have become a very demanding mother-in-law. Instead, she told her daughters-in-law to return to their mothers’ homes and spoke a blessing over them.

But on the way, Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back to your mothers’ homes. And may the Lord reward you for your kindness to your husbands and to me. May the Lord bless you with the security of another marriage.” Then she kissed them good-bye, and they all broke down and wept. (Ruth 1:8-9 NLT) They wept together. They had a relationship with each other.

With the death of their husbands, Orpah and Ruth were now at a crossroads in their lives. Both had lived with and witnessed Naomi’s life of faith in God. But Moab was in Orpah’s heart, and she chose to go back to her former lifestyle and heathen god. Ruth chose Naomi’s people (lifestyle) and Naomi’s God, saying “Your God will be my God.”

Ruth honored and loved her mother-in-law. Naomi chose to put Ruth’s happiness before her own, not losing her faith in God. This brought God’s blessings on the scene . . . provision of their needs, including Ruth’s marriage to Boaz, the family redeemer.

Want to be blessed? Want things to go well with you and your mother-in-law? Want a long life on the earth? Honor and love your mother-in-law . . . and your father and mother!

“Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:2-3 NLT)