Agape Love
The story of Naomi, Orpah, and Ruth is a beautiful account of a mother-in-law that cared for her daughters-in-law with a deep motherly love. Naomi instructed her daughters-in-law to return to their homelands after the death of Naomi’s husband and her two sons, Orpah and Ruth’s husbands.
With 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. Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home. May the Lord show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me. - Ruth 1:7-8
Naomi was willing to travel and tackle life alone in her homeland rather than expect Orpah and Ruth to live their days without a husband and children. With a heavy heart, Orpah honored her mother-in-law’s wishes and returned to her own home. Scripture doesn’t say this, but I believe Naomi released Orpah with open hands and wanted nothing but blessings for her daughter-in-law.
Ruth, on the other hand, chose to stay with Naomi. She said to Naomi “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” - Ruth 1:16-17
God’s character shines through this story. All three women expressed an agape love and honor toward one another. Naomi proved that she put her daughters-in-law's interest above her own by encouraging them to return to their homelands. When Ruth chooses to stay, Naomi continues to want what’s best for Ruth and goes on to help her marry and have a family with Boaz. (Ruth 4:13) Naomi loved Orpah and Ruth with a love like our Father loves us.
I’d love to say that I would have been as selfless as Naomi. Honestly, if I were in her shoes, I may have asked Orpah and Ruth to at least get me safely to my homeland and then I would release them on their way. I can see the reflection of Christ in all three women in this story. I can only hope to show that kind of selfless love to my own daughters.
When I think of a mother’s love I think of an agape love. A love that is freely given with no expectations. Everyone reading this may not have a biological mom that gave you that type of love. Maybe your grandmother, an aunt, a sister, a friend, or mentor did.
As we celebrate Mother’s Day, my hope is that you have encountered that type of love in your lifetime; but if you haven’t, I pray you know and feel that kind love because of your relationship with Christ. The unconditional agape love is a true example of how God loves us.
READ:
The ultimate example of Agape Love:
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
JOURNAL:
Do you love with expectations?
Are there expectations you need to release and love with an agape love instead?
PRAYER:
Thank You, Lord, for loving us unconditionally. Help those reading this to feel Your presence near and know they are loved.
With 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. Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home. May the Lord show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me. - Ruth 1:7-8
Naomi was willing to travel and tackle life alone in her homeland rather than expect Orpah and Ruth to live their days without a husband and children. With a heavy heart, Orpah honored her mother-in-law’s wishes and returned to her own home. Scripture doesn’t say this, but I believe Naomi released Orpah with open hands and wanted nothing but blessings for her daughter-in-law.
Ruth, on the other hand, chose to stay with Naomi. She said to Naomi “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” - Ruth 1:16-17
God’s character shines through this story. All three women expressed an agape love and honor toward one another. Naomi proved that she put her daughters-in-law's interest above her own by encouraging them to return to their homelands. When Ruth chooses to stay, Naomi continues to want what’s best for Ruth and goes on to help her marry and have a family with Boaz. (Ruth 4:13) Naomi loved Orpah and Ruth with a love like our Father loves us.
I’d love to say that I would have been as selfless as Naomi. Honestly, if I were in her shoes, I may have asked Orpah and Ruth to at least get me safely to my homeland and then I would release them on their way. I can see the reflection of Christ in all three women in this story. I can only hope to show that kind of selfless love to my own daughters.
When I think of a mother’s love I think of an agape love. A love that is freely given with no expectations. Everyone reading this may not have a biological mom that gave you that type of love. Maybe your grandmother, an aunt, a sister, a friend, or mentor did.
As we celebrate Mother’s Day, my hope is that you have encountered that type of love in your lifetime; but if you haven’t, I pray you know and feel that kind love because of your relationship with Christ. The unconditional agape love is a true example of how God loves us.
READ:
The ultimate example of Agape Love:
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
JOURNAL:
Do you love with expectations?
Are there expectations you need to release and love with an agape love instead?
PRAYER:
Thank You, Lord, for loving us unconditionally. Help those reading this to feel Your presence near and know they are loved.
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1 Comment
beautiful perspective, Christy!