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From the Editor From the Editor

An Amazing Commitment

By Darla Knoth

I am fascinated by the relationship of Naomi and Ruth. They were so different from each other. One was middle aged, one young. One was a Jew, one a Gentile.

A young woman—a daughter-in-law—saying to her mother-in-law, "Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay," is an amazing commitment. Ruth was so adamant about staying close to Naomi that she said, "Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried." What about their relationship caused Ruth to want to be with Naomi?

Ruth was from the despised Moabites—enemies of Israel. Yet Naomi gave her instruction, and Ruth became skilled enough in the ways of the Israelites that Boaz, the kinsman-redeemer, took note, and married her. The elders of the city even said, "May she become like Rachel and Leah!" (Ruth 4:11), who were, of course, Jewish women. Ruth, previously ignorant of the Jewish culture and custom, learned well from Naomi.

Ruth and Naomi's story is one of friendship and love; mentoring happened as a result. Whether you request someone to mentor you formally or are mentored as a benefit of a friendship, be open to learning from someone else. Someone you know only a brief time may teach you a valuable lesson, if you're ready to learn. Others may pour into you over a lifetime. The important truths of mentoring are being open and ready to take new information and process it into your own life, as well as being willing to teach someone what you have learned.

One more aspect of Ruth and Naomi's relationship is that by the end of the book, we realize both were blessed! When Ruth had a son, the women of Israel said to Naomi, "Praise be to the Lord. He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age!"

Find a mentor. Be a mentor. You will be blessed!

Darla KnothDARLA KNOTH serves as Managing Editor for the national Women’s Ministries Department. She has experience in editing, publishing and overseeing the publications staff of Women’s Ministries, as well as serving as an adjunct faculty member at Evangel University.

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