Year 1, Week 28, Day 5 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 28, Day 5

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Ruth 1-3.

Today’s reading begins a short story that is a big contrast with the historical era in which the story occurs: “In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons” (Ruth 1:1). Ruth 1 orients us to Naomi, her husband, and her two sons, who travel to Moab in search of food. Naomi’s life quickly experiences profound tragedy as her husband and two sons die. By the end of Ruth 1 all who Naomi has is one of her daughter-in-law’s, Ruth, a Moabite, who is a noble woman and shows great kindness toward her mother-in-law. Ruth 2 is set back in Bethlehem as Naomi and Ruth attempt to make a life back in Israel, but they have little prospects. However, a relative of Naomi’s husband, Boaz, shows great kindness to Naomi and Ruth, permitting Ruth to glean food from his fields as he supplies these two ladies with protection and provision. Ruth 3 notes the plans that Naomi makes to arrange a marriage between Boaz and Ruth. As Ruth shows great kindness not only to seek security for Naomi, but also to marry Boaz, she learns that there is another relative who actually has first rights to acquire Ruth in marriage.

One of the things that struck me in today’s reading was the behind the scenes operations of the LORD to bring forth a proper king to lead Israel: “He chose David his servant and took him from the sheepfolds; from following the nursing ewes he brought him to shepherd Jacob his people, Israel his inheritance. With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand.” (Psalm 78:70-72). The LORD was at work during the period of the Judges. The assessment of the period of the Judges, which was stated at the end of the Book of Judges, was: “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). Israel needed a king. Oh course, not just any kind of king, but a godly king who could lead Israel to live in covenant faithfulness to the LORD. The historical account given in the Book of Ruth shows how the LORD would provide a king.

The Book of Ruth is a stark contrast in many ways from what life was like during the period of the Judges. Everyone was doing what they wanted to do, that is, doing what they felt was best for themselves. In the midst of this way of life, the Book of Ruth introduces us to a whole other way of life. The main characters who emerge in the story of Ruth all practice “kindness” toward others. The kindness that Ruth showed to Naomi was expressed in her commitment to remain with Naomi: “But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return 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. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the LORD do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you” (Ruth 1:16-17). The kindness that Boaz showed to Ruth (and Naomi) was expressed in how he assures her of provision: “Now, listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women. Let your eyes be on the field that they are reaping, and go after them. Have I not charged the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink what the young men have drawn” (Ruth 2:8-9). The kindness that Ruth showed to Boaz (and Naomi) was expressed in her willingness to marry Boaz: “May you be blessed by the LORD, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman” (Ruth 3:10-11).

During an era in which everyone did what was best for themselves, the LORD was a work raising up people who practiced “kindness” toward others. The word translated kindness throughout the Book of Ruth is a word that is also translated “lovingkindness” or “steadfast love”. The term reflects notions like loving, loyal devotion, or kindness. The idea expressed in the term “kindness” is the direct opposite of  doing what is best for one’s self; it is putting the needs of others before one’s own needs. Instead of doing what is right in one’s own eyes, it is doing what is right for others, going above and beyond what is required. Ruth, Boaz, and even Naomi do what is right on behalf of others.

Israel needs a king who will lead with such kindness. Israel needs a king who will model such kindness. God is at work, in the midst of a time where nobody is doing what’s right, to raise up a king who will do what is right. Israel’s great need, as undeserving as it is, is being met by a God whose kindness is absolute and eternal.

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe