Introduction
	As this is Mother’s Day, I have been before the Lord concerning some of the mothers included in the Bible. 
	Hannah, mother of Samuel - 1 Sam 1:22  But Hannah did not go, for she said to her husband, I will not go until the child is weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the Lord and remain there as long as he lives. 
	Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist - Luke 1:41+42 And it occurred that when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with and controlled by the Holy Spirit. And she cried out with a loud cry, and then exclaimed, Blessed (favored of God) above all other women are you! And blessed (favored of God) is the Fruit of your womb!
	Mary, the mother of Christ - Luke 1:46+47 And Mary said, My soul magnifies and extols the Lord, And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 
	Lois the Grandmother, and Eunice, the mother of Timothy - 2 Tim 1:5 As the Apostle Paul states I am calling up memories of your sincere and unqualified faith (the leaning of your entire personality on God in Christ in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness), [a faith] that first lived permanently in [the heart of] your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am [fully] persuaded, [dwells] in you also. 
	Then there is Ruth. According to McClintock and Strong quote As a singular example of virtue and piety in a rude age and among an idolatrous people; as one of the first fruits of the Gentile harvest gathered into the Church; as the heroine of a story of exquisite beauty and simplicity; as illustrating in her history the workings of Divine Providence, and the truth of the saying that "the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous;" and for the many interesting revelations of ancient domestic and social customs which are associated with her story, Ruth has always held a foremost place among the Scripture characters.  End quote (from McClintock and Strong Encyclopedia, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2000, 2003 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)
	I would like to share some aspects of Ruth, as delineated by several commentators 
	Barnes’ Notes states quote But the Book of Ruth, lifting up the curtain which veiled the privacy of domestic life, discloses to us most beautiful views of piety, integrity, self-sacrificing affection, chastity, gentleness and charity, growing up amidst the rude scenes of war, discord, and strife. (from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database Copyright © 1997, 2003, 2005 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)
	Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, …). Against such things there is no law…
Also included in Barnes’ Notes is the following Ruth, the Moabitess, was undoubtedly one of the first-fruits of the ingathering of Gentiles into the Church of Christ, and so an evidence of God's gracious purpose in Christ, "also to the Gentiles to grant repentance unto life;" and the important evangelical lesson is as plainly taught in her case, as in that of Cornelius, "that God is no respecter of persons, but in every nation he that feareth God, and worketh righteousness, is accepted of Him." The great doctrine of divine grace is also forcibly taught by the admission of Ruth, the Moabitess, among the ancestry of our Lord Jesus Christ. End quote
(from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database Copyright © 1997, 2003, 2005 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)
Faussett’s Bible Dictionary declares In beautiful contrast to Judges' end in internecine bloodshed, the book of Ruth is a picture of a peaceful, virtuous, filial obedience, and the rich reward of choosing the Lord at the sacrifice of all else. Orpah's end is shrouded in darkness, while Ruth is remembered to all generations as chosen ancestress of Messiah. Boaz' name is immoralized by linking himself with the poor Moabitess, while the kinsman who would not mar his own inheritance is unknown. Goethe said of this book, "we have nothing so lovely in the whole range of epic and idyllic poetry." Ruth is an instance of natural affection made instrumental in leading to true religion. A "blossom of pagandom stretching its flower cup desiringly toward the light of revelation in Israel."  (from Fausset's Bible Dictionary, Electronic Database Copyright (c)1998 by Biblesoft)
Faussett continues In Ruth 4:18-22 the author shows his aim, namely, to give a biographical sketch of the pious ancestors of David the king. The book contains the inner and spiritual background of the genealogies so prominent in Scripture. The family life of David's ancestors is sketched to show how they walked in single hearted piety toward God, and justice and love, modesty and purity towards man. "Ruth the Moabite, great-great-grandmother of David, longed for the God and people of Israel with all the deepest earnestness of her nature, and joined herself to them with all the power of love. Boaz was an Israelite without guile, full of holy reverence for every ordinance of God and man, and full of benevolent love and friendliness toward the poor pagan woman. From such ancestors was the man descended in whom all the nature of Israel was to find its royal concentration and fullest expression" … There is also involved a Messianic trait, prophetic of the coming world wide church, in the fact that Ruth, a pagan of a nation so hostile to Israel as Moab, was counted worthy to be tribe mother of the great and pious king David on account of her love to Israel and trust in Israel's God. End quote (from Fausset's Bible Dictionary, Electronic Database Copyright (c)1998 by Biblesoft)
Finally, again from McClintock and Strong, the recorded adoption of a Gentile woman into the family from which Christ was to derive his origin, the final reception of the Gentile nations into the true Church, as fellow heirs of the salvation of the Gospel. The moral lessons which it incidentally teaches are of the most interesting and touching character: that private families are as much the objects of divine regard as the houses of princes; that the present life is a life of calamitous changes; that a devout trust in an overruling Providence will never fail of its reward; and that no condition, however adverse or afflicted, is absolutely hopeless, are truths that were never more strikingly illustrated than in the brief and simple narrative before us. End quote (from McClintock and Strong Encyclopedia, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2000, 2003 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)
Having read and re-read these introductions and the book of Ruth, I was struck by the character of both Naomi, the mother-in-law and Ruth. I also dwelt on several other elements that are worth noting. There is a reason that the story of Ruth is part of scripture, as with every book of the Bible. This will not be an exhaustive study of this book, but rather some glimpses into what is before us as we ponder this Word of God.
We will, Lord willing, share together in a foretaste, be it ever so small, in reading some of the  commentaries and many scriptures. We must consider what was so important in the life of this Moabitess, that the Lord would register her story worthy of study.
One of the first things that come to the forefront is the honor that Ruth displayed to Naomi. Ruth was a heathen widow of an Israelite. She owed no more allegiance to Naomi now that her husband was deceased. She would have been free to go her own way, to do as she willed since she was not bound by the Laws of Israel. But there was something at work in this young widow, something that found a need to stay with Naomi, her mother-in-law.
J.P. Lange sheds some light on this - Ruth is a prophecy, than which none could be more beautiful and engaging, of the entrance of the heathen world into the kingdom of God. She comes forth out of Moab, an idolatrous people full of wantonness and sin, and is herself so tender and pure. In a land where dissolute sensuality formed one of the elements of idol worship, a woman appears, as wife and daughter, chaste as the rose of spring and unsurpassed in these relations by any other [human] character in Holy Writ.... Ruth's confession of God and His people originated in the home of her married life. It sprang from the love with which she was permitted to embrace Israelites.... The conduct of one Israelitish woman [Naomi] in a foreign land was able to call forth a love and a confession of God like that of Ruth.... Ruth loves a woman, and is thereby led to the God Whom that woman confesses" end quote (J.P. Lange, A Commentary).
Phil 4:7-8 And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. 
Naomi had apparently stayed true to her belief in Yahweh. In that desire after God, Namoi decided to leave Moab and return to her home in Bethlehem. Matthew Henry points out a simple truth for each of us. It is what Dave has been sharing for all these years that we are not home yet. According to Henry, with regard to Naomi, Because the land of Moab had now become a melancholy place to her. It is with little pleasure that she can breathe in that air in which her husband and sons had expired, or go on that ground in which they lay buried out of her sight, but not out of her thoughts; now she will go to Canaan again. Thus God takes away from us the comforts we stay ourselves too much upon and solace ourselves too much in, here in the land of our sojourning, that we may think more of our home in the other world, and by faith and hope may hasten towards it. Earth is embittered to us, that heaven may be endeared. End quote (from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright © 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.)
Thus God takes away from us the comforts we stay ourselves too much upon and solace ourselves too much in, here in the land of our sojourning, that we may think more of our home in the other world, and by faith and hope may hasten towards it. Earth is embittered to us, that heaven may be endeared.
John 17:13-18 But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.  I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.  Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 
We must look at the place we have as we sojourn on this earth, as the Lord makes it a bitter place to bring more and more longing to be home with Him. Why are we here? Naomi gives us some sense of what is to take place as we have dealings with others in this realm. Quoting Matthew Henry once again, By this we see both that Naomi, as became an Israelite, had been very kind and obliging to them and had won their love, in which she is an example to all mothers-in-law, and that Orpah and Ruth had a just sense of her kindness, for they were willing to return it thus far. It was a sign they had dwelt together in unity, though those were dead by whom the relation between them came. Though they retained an affection for the gods of Moab…, and Naomi was still faithful to the God of Israel, yet that was no hindrance to either side from love and kindness, and all the good offices that the relation required. Mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law are too often at variance …, and therefore it is the more commendable if they live in love; let all who sustain this relation aim at the praise of doing so. End quote (from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright © 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.)
Ruth was abiding by one of the greatest commandments of the God of Israel in her response to Naomi. It is at this point that I would like to bring forth many of the scriptures that show us the manner in which children are to be taught to deal with and honor their parents. This is a tremendous truth in the Lord that we dare not just shrug off lightly. This world has been attacking the very core of this principle of God with its various deceitful ploys and snares. The Word of God, however, is so adamant, and Ruth so fulfills that desire of God, that we would be missing something very vital in our lives if we allowed our hearts to open up unto the lies of this age.
Ex 20:12 Regard (treat with honor, due obedience, and courtesy) your father and mother, that your days may be long in the land the Lord your God gives you.  
Lev 19:3 Each of you shall give due respect to his mother and his father, and keep My Sabbaths holy. I the Lord am your God.  
Deut 27:16 Cursed is he who dishonors his father or his mother. All the people shall say, Amen. 
Prov 30:17 The eye that mocks a father and scorns to obey a mother, the ravens of the valley will pick it out, and the young vultures will devour it.
Lev 20:9 Everyone who curses his father or mother shall surely be put to death; he has cursed his father or mother; his bloodguilt is upon him. 
Prov 20:20 Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in complete darkness. 
Prov 23:22 Hearken to your father, who begot you, and despise not your mother when she is old. 
Matt 15:4 For God commanded, Honor your father and your mother, and, He who curses or reviles or speaks evil of or abuses or treats improperly his father or mother, let him surely come to his end by death. 
Eph 6:1+2 CHILDREN, OBEY your parents in the Lord [as His representatives], for this is just and right. Honor (esteem and value as precious) your father and your mother — this is the first commandment with a promise — 
1 Tim 5:4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, see to it that these are first made to understand that it is their religious duty [to defray their natural obligation to those] at home, and make return to their parents or grandparents [for all their care by contributing to their maintenance], for this is acceptable in the sight of God. 
Our greatest example of this love unto those whom God has chosen for our parentage is seen in Jesus Christ’s example of caring and concern that He held for His mother, even as He was dying on the cross.
John 19:25-27 But by the cross of Jesus stood His mother, His mother's sister, Mary the [wife] of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. So Jesus, seeing His mother there, and the disciple whom He loved standing near, said to His mother, [Dear] woman, See, [here is] your son! Then He said to the disciple, See, [here is] your mother! And from that hour, the disciple took her into his own [keeping, his own home]. 
	This is definitely not in line with the lies of this age. This world heaps ridicule upon faithful parents. It treats them as bungling idiots who have no clue as to how to live. This world attacks them as old-fashioned, out of touch, senile and prudes. There is no respect for parents, because to do so would be to live by the principle that God has laid forth in His Word, and this world will have none of that. The family today is being ripped apart as never before in the history of this world. Divorce and selfish pursuits are published as the norm, rather than the exception. 
	Our young people, and we, need to know that we are being deceived when we are taught to mock and ridicule and disobey our parents. The Word says so in very plain and forthright language that can not be explained away or dismissed as no longer true. 
	There is another aspect in Ruth that we will consider as we close this evening. At the end of her most powerful pledge to Naomi, she makes a strong statement that is a type of the truth that all the people of God have operating in their lives; yet sometimes choose to ignore or to deny. A Thomson refers to it as follows: Ruth's spiritual affinity with Naomi: -- This family feeling reigns among all the true sons of God under every dispensation. It operates with all the steadiness of an instinct. Apart altogether from Divine commands, believers exercise mutual attraction like planets that move round the same central orb. They are conscious of "the unity of the Spirit." Under the Old Testament, "they that feared the Lord spake often one to another"; under the New Testament, "they that believed were together." There is not an instance recorded in the whole inspired history of Christians preferring to live in isolation from their brethren. If there were only two believers in the same city, they would be irresistibly drawn to each other just in the degree in which they were believers. And those who are thus mutually attracted shed many mutual blessings, like flowers growing contiguous to each other in a garden that drop the dew around each other's roots… end quote (A. Thomson, D. D.)
In Ruth and Naomi’s mutual affection for one another, God was present. He is what attracted Ruth to stay with Naomi. It was not just a fleeting statement of resolve, but a full recognition of the inseparability that is present in the Oneness that God creates in His people.
We find this reality throughout the gatherings of the followers of Christ.
Matt 18:20 For wherever two or three are gathered (drawn together as My followers) … (into) My name, there I AM in the midst of them.
Luke 24:13-15 And behold, that very day two of [the disciples] were going to a village called Emmaus, [which is] about seven miles from Jerusalem. And they were talking with each other about all these things that had occurred. And while they were conversing and discussing together, Jesus Himself caught up with them and was already accompanying them. 
Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness and unfettered eloquence of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned and untrained in the schools [common men with no educational advantages], they marveled; and they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 
1 Cor 1:9 God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on); by Him you were called into companionship and participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 
I leave our consideration this evening with the following passage that should register our true relationship, one with another in Christ.
1 John 1:3 What we have seen and [ourselves] heard, we are also telling you, so that you too may realize and enjoy fellowship as partners and partakers with us. And [this] fellowship that we have [which is a distinguishing mark of Christians] is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ (the Messiah). 

	Next week, Lord willing, we will continue with Ruth and the tremendous example she is of the constancy of God in the lives of His people. There is much that we need to discover in life, and this Word of God is an excellent source of the truth of what God has always intended for His people in Jesus Christ.
	And Ruth said, Urge me not to leave you or to turn back from following you; for where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God my God…