The Essence of Love

Scripture – Ruth 1:6-10: ⁶When she heard in Moab that the LORD had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, Naomi and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there. ⁷With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah. ⁸Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home. May the LORD show kindness to you, as you have shown to your dead and to me. ⁹May the LORD grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.” Then she kissed them and they wept aloud ¹⁰and said to her, “We will go back with you to your people.”

Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) I wonder how much time passed between vs. 5 and vs. 6. Sometimes, in reading the Biblical stories, I find it helpful to slow down and wonder about things like that. Obviously, Naomi and her daughters-in-law had become very close. They had become a family of their own. When Naomi talked of returning home, it looks like they were thinking of simply moving their home. For with Naomi, they had found a home. So, even as Naomi encouraged them to go back to heir natural families, they said they wanted to stay with her.

Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) This passage is filled with love. As much as Naomi loved Orpah and Ruth, she acted in their best interest. That’s the essence of love. She put their best ahead of her wants. I will do that today. As I meet various people, I will give them my full and focused attention.

Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Lord Jesus, you love me . You have constantly demonstrated that. I don’t follow your example very well. You know how I can get caught up in my own stuff. Free me from that. Teach me to love a little more perfectly today.