From Moab with love.

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Copyright © David Eastway 2013

From Moab with Love is a reflective and devotional commentary on the Old Testament Book, Ruth.

First printed in Australia by Direct Printing, Nowra, NSW

All Scripture quotations are taken from the NIV Bible, Copyright 1984. International Bible Society. Used by permission.

Contact with the author can be made through

his blog site : davideastway.wordpress.com

The Story of Ruth

From the pagan land of Moab there

emerged a woman in whose heart God

planted a gift of extraordinary

compassion and profound love.

Her life impacted the flow of history.

Her story provides a profound testimony

to the truth that within all the

circumstances of life,

God works for the good of those who love

Him, who have been called according to

his purpose (Romans 8:28).

Contents

Page

Introduction 1

Chapter

1. Ruth 1:1-5. Tough Times 7

2 Ruth 1: 6-22 Choose whom you will serve 11

3 Ruth 1: 19-22 The taste of bitterness 14

4 Ruth 2: 1-17 God is our refuge and strength 17

5 Ruth 2: 18-23 God’s plan becomes clearer 22

6 Ruth 3 A discreet courtship 24

7 Ruth 4 The future unfolds 27

8 Reflections 29

Assurance of positive future outcomes 29 When life is bitter 30 Worldly attractions test our love for God 35 Dealing with feelings of insignificance 36 God’s boundless love extends to all 38 God brings circumstances together for our good 39 Seeking the good of others 39 Did Ruth deserve Boaz? 40 Redemption 41

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INTRODUCTION

From its tragic beginnings to its dramatic, romantic and joyful climax, the story of Ruth focuses on the way in which God relates to his people and leads them throughout their life journey with love and grace. For Ruth and Naomi, life was very complex and involved periods of spiritual, physical and emotional suffering, as well as times of great delight and celebration when the deep joys of life were experienced. Sound familiar? It is a pattern which continues in the life experience of people today who faithfully seek to serve the living God.

There are many appealing details in Ruth’s story. There is the incredible courage and faith shown by Ruth and Naomi and the deep bond of love that developed between them. The care and love God has for his people is very evident in the story. There are fascinating insights into the culture and customs of the Hebrew people at the time the story takes place - about the middle of the 12th Century BC. Then there is the significance of Ruth’s link in the unfolding genealogy of Jesus.

There are two themes which I focus on in this booklet. The first is how seemingly insignificant and ordinary people are passionately cared for by God and used purposefully within his plans. As Ruth and Naomi persevered through the pain of their difficult and complex lives, and sought to make ends meet as members of a small agricultural community, the Lord, within the spiritual realms unseen to the human eye, was bringing together in intricate detail an amazing plan. Their difficulties would be resolved and events take place which would have wonderful outcomes

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for them, their descendants and the future of the world. The story is an illustration of God’s abounding grace in his choice of the weak, lowly and despised things of the world (1 Corinthians 1:27-28) to have a major role in the outworking of his purposes in the lives of individuals and the broader scene of human history.

Secondly we will see the way in which God’s intimate involvement in the lives of those who believe and trust in him, includes at times his allowing them to experience times of stress, difficulty, pain and sadness during their earthly pilgrimage. This is a complex and difficult issue which we will face time and time again in life. It is an area in which great sensitivity is needed and glib and hasty platitudes need to be avoided when talking with those who face times of crises. In the darkest and most difficult times of our lives when all we sense is the agony of suffering, God may well be working out a plan of deep and significant purpose – even though it may feel like we are forsaken and overwhelmed. God does not forsake those who love Him. Our perseverance through the fires of difficulty and suffering builds our Christian character and shows the reality of our love and faith (James 1:2-4). We will see how the working out of God’s purpose in Ruth and Naomi’s lives involved times of trial and suffering.

While the story is set in the time of the Judges, its relevance is timeless. Adversity may be something which does not sit easily with us in these days when comfort and happiness are high on the list of our daily expectations. However if we are serious about the Holy Spirit creating within us an attitude of mind which desires above all things to conform to God’s good, pleasing and perfect will

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(Romans 12:2), we need to be prepared for the realities of Kingdom living with both its joys and its pain. As Paul says…I have learnt the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:12-13).

The story of Ruth speaks to people who see themselves as ordinary, who love the Lord sincerely and deeply but wonder if God can ever use them in a way which will further his purposes and his Kingdom. The characters in this story are very ordinary in the eyes of the world. They are people who lived in small villages and labored in the sowing of seed and harvesting the crops. While they celebrated and enjoyed the good times, they also struggled through famine, deprivation and illness. Not only were they ordinary, but Ruth was a pagan from the land of Moab - a very questionable background from a Jewish perspective. For those who wonder if, because of their former life and background, God has a lesser view of them than those who have come from the right side of the tracks, we see that God chooses and uses people from questionable backgrounds. Ruth chose to be linked with the people of God and ... the rest is history – His story! As we share Ruth’s story we will see what amazing outcomes resulted from God’s leading in her life.

As Ruth toiled in the heat of the day behind the harvesters in the barley fields, possibly feeling like an outsider and socially marginalised, gathering the leftover grain so that she and her mother-in-law Naomi might have enough food to eat, she could not have known that just a few days away her life would take on an entirely new direction. In

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the same way the living God still works in extraordinary ways in the complexities of our daily lives with potential outcomes of significance. It is unrealistic for us to expect that our journey will be free from trials and pressures. We live each day in the context of a spiritual battle that by its very nature involves the testing of our faith through trials and challenges of various kinds (1 Peter 1:6-7).

Before we look at the story of Ruth in detail, I would like to share two examples of people who could be regarded in the eyes of the world as ordinary or insignificant but who, through the dedication of their lives to the Lord, were used by him in a very significant way. You may have heard of Arthur Stace, the man who became known as Mister Eternity. God transformed Arthur from being an illiterate alcoholic to a man with a passion for Jesus. He spent 35 years writing in beautiful script, using chalk, the word Eternity on the footpaths of Sydney in the early morning hours, so that as people travelled to work they would be confronted by his message. Numerous people were converted over the years as they pondered his simple message and considered where they would spend eternity. A book and film about Arthur tell his amazing story. Arthur died in 1967 aged 83. As a tribute to him the word Eternity, in his own handwriting style, was created in lights on the Sydney Harbour Bridge for the celebrations in the year 2000.

Gladys Aylward’s story is also one of an ordinary person with a passion for the Lord, being used by God in an amazing way. She was an English parlour maid who was considered unqualified by the China Inland Mission to go

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as a missionary to China. She paid her own way to China, opened an Inn for tired, hungry mule drivers with whom she shared the story of Jesus. During the Japanese invasion of China she led one hundred orphans to safety across enemy held country. Her amazing story is told in the book The Small Woman and the movie The Inn of the Sixth Happiness.

So often in the outworking of God’s purposes there is testimony to the truth of Paul’s message in 1 Corinthians 1:26ff. God often chooses the people who are considered by the world to be weak and lowly, to accomplish his purposes so that we might know it is not our human wisdom or influence which is the essential ingredient in ministry, but his power at work within and through those who desire to be used by him.

If you are among the great multitude of believers who seem to be in the background, yet have a desire to be used by God, I would encourage you, as we read through Ruth’s story, to be asking God to help you understand how your life has been and can continually be used by God. Although I have used the word ordinary, in reality I don’t believe that there are any ordinary people in his Kingdom. That is a tag we tend to place around our own necks. Feelings of unimportance can often be brought about because of the status given in our world to TV personalities, celebrities and sporting heroes and, dare I suggest, even so called successful church leaders. As we serve the Lord with a sincere heart and steadfast faith we can be sure that our struggles are not futile, that we do matter to God and that what we do in his service is of eternal value. We need to be released from feelings of

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insignificance and see by faith, how in ways yet to be revealed, there will be an outcome of significance within the purposes of God resulting from whatever it is that we can offer to the Lord to be used in his service.

So with that background to the story and the knowledge that in all things God works for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28), let’s follow Ruth’s journey. God led her out of the darkness of pagan idolatry and made her life into a new creation which he used in a significant way within his plans and purposes.

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Chapter 1 TOUGH TIMES

Ruth 1: 1-5.

As the story of Ruth begins, we meet a family in crisis. There appears to be nothing special or significant about this family – we are simply introduced to a man from Bethlehem named Elimelech. He and Naomi, with their two sons, faced with the crisis of a famine throughout Judah, decided to leave their home in Bethlehem and travel to the land of Moab. The failure of crops locally, and a poor harvest, left them without food and any means of survival as a family. Their move to Moab meant leaving the security their religious culture provided, to live among a people known for their idolatrous and immoral practices. However, the availability of food in Moab meant the possibility of survival as it was known as an area with good agricultural and pastoral land. Their journey of about 100kms would have taken them around the northern end of the Dead Sea and on into Moab which was on the eastern side of the Dead Sea.

Tragedy soon struck the family. Not long after their arrival in Moab, Naomi’s husband died. Her two sons married Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah. By the time ten years had passed her two sons had also died. Naomi and her two step daughters found themselves in circumstances filled with great trauma, sadness and confusion and also without the male support needed for safety and survival in the culture of that time.

How can we explain the deaths of Elimelech and his two sons? Some suggest that the deaths of Naomi’s husband and sons was some kind of judgment from God because

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they had moved out of God’s will in going to Moab. In fact, in the Jewish writings called The Targum it says that they transgressed the commandments of the Lord in going to Moab. Because there are many unknowns in the story, the tendency to make quick judgments needs to be modified. We should not automatically assume when people face adversity of some kind, that it is God’s judgment because of some act of disobedience or lack of faith on their part. Jesus’ disciples were quick to make this assumption when they met the man who had been blind from birth. (John 9:1-6). Rabbi, they said, who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind? Jesus explained that the blindness was not due to sin… but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.

Let’s consider other possibilities. We know the family were believers and it was out of necessity brought about by famine that Elimelech moved to Moab in order to provide for his family. Moab was a pagan country where worship was directed to Chemosh and at times involved human sacrifice. This was often the case among the pagan nations in connection with the fertility gods and the cycle of the seasons. Elimelech and Naomi would have known the story of Joseph who was sold into slavery in Egypt, imprisoned unjustly, but finally raised to a prominent position as the Governor of Egypt. Joseph was able to meet the needs of his family when they came to Egypt seeking food because they also faced famine. Perhaps Elimelech and Naomi were convinced that God was leading them to Moab in a similar way, but that fact is simply not recorded in the story.

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Some think that the sons were under God’s judgment because they married Moabite women. But later in the chapter it is evident that Ruth had made a decision to follow Naomi’s God. It is quite possible that during the ten years the family had been in Moab, these two Moabite women, under the witness of Naomi, turned from their pagan background to God, before Naomi’s sons married them. Naomi’s prayer that they may know the Lord’s guidance and provision (1:8) seems to indicate that Ruth and Orpah were acknowledging Yahweh and turning away from paganism and their commitment to Moabite gods. Also a very deep bond had been established between the three women, which would have been unlikely if Ruth and Orpah were still committed to the pagan gods of Moab. As we shall see, the outworking of God’s future plans for his people involved Ruth. As she lived in Moab there had to be some way of bringing her into the life and community of the Jewish nation. Linking her into Naomi’s family through marriage was the way God chose to accomplished this. The narrative says nothing to explain the deaths and there is no word in the text about God’s judgment or their wrongdoing.

If we truly know God, there will be an assurance, even in adversity, that he has not forsaken us. In our fallen world God’s people suffer with the rest of humanity. Here is a faith family who did what they considered to be the right and responsible thing but then had to cope with unexpected bereavement. This may be part of the outworking of life which anyone may face at any time. Suddenly, we find ourselves working through the grief and sorrow that surrounds us. Being a faith family does not remove from us the uncertainties and sorrows of life.

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What we see in this first part of the story is that our faith journey will not always be smooth and that adversity may occur as part of the normal flow of human life. When difficulties do come we must not automatically assume that we are out of favour with God or that he is passing judgment on us. God may lead us through the deep waters of suffering as part of the journey which ultimately leads to the fulfillment of his purposes which glorify his name and bring blessings to his people.

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Chapter 2 CHOOSE WHOM YOU WILL SERVE

Ruth 1: 6-22.

Naomi heard that the drought had broken in Judah so she decided to return home to her people. Ruth and Orpah, because of the bond they had established with her, decided to accompany her. Having begun their journey and travelled just far enough down the road to stand between the two worlds of Moab and Israel, Naomi suddenly confronted Ruth and Orpah with an unexpected directive – It is now time to go home and find husbands for yourselves. My circumstances cannot guarantee any kind of secure future for you.

With the pagan world of Moab behind them and the prospects of a new life based on the truths of Israel’s God ahead, Naomi drew a line in the sand and challenged them to cross it. Go back home and seek a husband. Life will be too tough if you come any further with me. The tone of her challenge was one of loving appreciation. She expressed her gratitude for all the kindness that had been shown her and prayed that God would lead and guide Orpah and Ruth into a secure future in which their lives would experience God’s continuing kindness. Away from the influence of their familiar surroundings, and alone on a dusty road, Naomi presented them with a life changing challenge.

Naomi had spent ten years in Moab and could not have avoided familiarity with the pagan gods of Moab and especially Chemosh, their chief god. Her choice to return to Bethlehem indicates she had remained loyal to Jehovah and she did not wish to bring the influence of Moabite

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religion back to Judah with her in the lives of her daughters in law. Ruth and Orpah, who would have heard from Naomi the truth of Jehovah, are challenged to make a stand for Jehovah. Naomi wanted to make sure that if they returned with her it was something they really wanted to do and were not simply caught up in an emotional loyalty to her. This for them was the time of choice as she virtually echoed the words of Joshua: Choose you this day who you will serve. (Joshua 24:14 -15)

When Naomi spoke about having sons whom her daughter’s in law could marry (verses 12 and 13) she was referring to the law of Levirate marriage which provided security for a widow in that she could be married to her dead husband’s brother. This provision was impossible in Naomi’s situation, not only because of her age but because both her sons were dead. Here Naomi was simply explaining that it was impossible for her as a widow to provide adequately for her daughters- in- law and if they went with her, it was going to be tough. So, if they wanted to be certain of worldly security, they should seek a husband in Moab. She was not rejecting them or acting in an unloving way – she was wisely seeking to bring them to the place of responsible decision both in regard to faith in God and their relationship with herself. Her action shows her deep and loving concern for them.

Orpah decided to return to the worldly security of Moab and Ruth made a decision which would have a profound effect upon her life and the history of Israel. Naomi had won Ruth’s love and Ruth’s heart had been touched by Naomi’s God. Ruth chose to be committed to Naomi, her people and her God. It meant leaving her own homeland

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and moving forward on a journey into the unknown. Ruth’s words of commitment are deeply moving, profound and express the depth of love that existed between them: Wherever you go, I will go. Your people will be my people. Your God will be my God (1:16).

Ruth showed an incredible sensitivity to Naomi’s afflictions and obviously loved her deeply and made the decision to stay with her and support her. Ruth’s words of decision reflect the words of the Israelites in answer to Joshua’s question to them as they prepared to enter the Promised Land; Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go (Joshua 1:16).

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Chapter 3 THE TASTE OF BITTERNESS

Ruth 1:19-22.

There was great rejoicing by Naomi’s kinsman on her return, but overwhelmed with the tragedies of the past ten years, Naomi cried out from the depths of her sorrow and told them not to call her by her name Naomi, which meant my delight, but Mara which identified her with the bitterness, affliction and misfortune she has been through.

Within the security provided by her loving relatives, the emotions which had built up over ten years of suffering now burst out. Naomi told her story to her relatives one of whom was Boaz, a relative of Naomi’s deceased husband Elimelech, and a wealthy landowner. She did not hide her hurt and grief or pretend that life had been other than it was. Naomi was totally honest in expressing her feelings. Within the midst of her pain, Naomi recognized that God’s sovereign hand had been upon her life even in the distress and calamity she had gone through. She did not accuse God of acting unfairly. She did not enter into the blame game. She did not yet know the reason why, but knew that the Lord had made her life bitter. Her faith had been tested in the fires of suffering but she still gave honor to God as she referred to Him as The Almighty – El Shaddai – the One who is Lord of all things and works all things together, even calamity, within his purpose. He is the all sufficient God. The same faith is reflected in the words of Job who declared, Shall we accept good from God and not trouble? (Job 2:10).

Here is one of the great trials in our faith journey - we are called to recognize that even the difficult circumstances

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we face are within the Lord’s purpose. The mystery is expressed in Hebrews 12:7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. Paul went through many times of difficulty but could say, I want you to know that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel (Philippians 1:12).

Adversity teaches us not to be fair-weather Christians – Christians who have faith in order to be blessed. Adversity helps us realize the transitory nature of life and can bring us to a greater dependence upon God. Adversity helps us to empathise with other people in their pain and suffering and walk alongside them through this fallen and broken world. Adversity does not mean that those who know and love the Lord are forsaken by him.

So the overriding question which this section of the story causes me to face is this. Am I prepared to stand firm in faith in the strength that God supplies, when the going is tough and there are uncertainties in life where the way is not always clear? By nature we desire the easy way where solutions are easily found and problems non-existent. We like the highway with its smooth surface rather than the potholed country lane. But sometimes God leads us forward by taking us down the road of difficulty and trial. Naomi’s afflictions led her to decide to go back to her homeland, where with Ruth, she was restored to her people and her kinsfolk.

It is not easy for us with our limited human perspective to understand why God would use the deaths of Elimelech, Mahlon and Kilion, to plunge Naomi into a situation which forced her to return home. Was there no other way? It is

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normal to ask the question but wise to leave our difficulties with the Lord whose ways, at certain times and in some circumstances, are beyond our understanding. It is as the future unfolds that the hidden purposes are revealed (Romans 11:33-36).

Note: For further discussion on the subject of facing life’s bitter times see page 30ff.

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Chapter 4 GOD IS OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH

Ruth 2: 1-17. A new life had begun for Ruth as she adapted to life among Naomi’s relatives in Bethlehem. Their thoughts now turned to the daily grind of finding the essentials of life – food and clothing. Their arrival in Bethlehem coincided with the beginning of the barley harvest and thankfully this provided an opportunity for them to obtain some food. Ruth was instructed by Naomi to follow one of the accepted customs of the day which allowed the poor to walk behind the harvesters and collect any leftover grain. As it turned out, Ruth gleaned in the field of Boaz.

The timing was perfect! Boaz arrived at the field, noticed Ruth and asked his workers who she was. Boaz had heard how Ruth had cared for his relative Naomi, and he was delighted to meet Ruth at last. He was very keen for her to remain working in his field and made sure his workers treated her with respect. He told Ruth to stay with the servant girls and to make sure she had plenty of water to drink. Ruth is surprised by this show of care (verse 10). She was a refugee from Moab with a background of detestable religious beliefs and practices. Having discovered the meaning of grace and acceptance from Naomi, Ruth now experienced this action of gratitude and appreciation from Boaz. Ruth was immersed in the love of God as it was shown in the actions of his people.

Boaz assured Ruth of his appreciation for what she had done for Naomi using words of significant pastoral imagery. He would have often seen chicks dashing to the mother hen to seek a place of security, safety and shelter

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and with this beautiful picture in mind, he expresses his longing that Ruth be richly rewarded by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge (verse12). Ruth had turned to the God of Israel and Boaz assures her of the acceptance given her both by the Lord and her new family and relatives.

The imagery contained within this verse is so rich with significance that it is worthwhile to spend some time here before we move on with the story. The promise God makes of providing for those who love him a secure refuge both within this life and the next, is a strong Biblical theme.

A refuge is a safe place, a place of security, a stronghold, a shelter. It could be a sheepfold where sheep can be kept safe at night. It could be a harbour, an anchorage. It is an image that describes a place, or better, a relationship in which there is security and safety.

The picture of finding security, salvation and deliverance, using the imagery of wings is first used in Exodus 19:4 where God says to the people, I carried you on eagle’s wings out of Egypt and brought you to myself. It may be that Boaz is alluding to this as he speaks to Ruth. God had led Ruth and Naomi through affliction to a place of refuge in Bethlehem, but there was a much deeper spiritual sense in that Ruth had come to know the Lord God of Israel and had found in him a relationship of security.

It is an image that Jesus used about the unbelieving Jews as he approached Jerusalem just prior to his arrest, trial and crucifixion: How often I have longed to gather you as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. In Ruth’s brokenness and need, she responded

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with love to the God of Israel who offered her a new beginning. Ruth, the outsider and stranger to God’s covenant, having heard from Naomi the truth about the living God, sought refuge in Him. She stands in stark contrast to those unbelieving Jews to whom Jesus spoke, who out of self reliance and spiritual pride rejected the truth which Jesus proclaimed, and sought refuge in their own religious traditions.

God showed his mercy and love for his people in the days when the Israelites moved into Canaan by the provision of cities of refuge for people who had been involved in an accidental killing. For example, if a bull broke out of a paddock and killed someone, the owner could find safety in a city of refuge until the case was heard. He would be safe from any initial revenge that the dead person’s family might have been inclined to take against him. There were numerous possibilities of accidents occurring in the field leading to a fatality. Some examples can be found in Numbers 35:11-15 and 22-25.

However, while cities were places of refuge and safety and illustrate God’s care and provision, the Bible’s message makes it clear that we are not to build our hope and security on earthly places or possessions which are transient and lack the certainty of permanence.

The destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar and centuries later by the Romans, points us away from our tendency to look for security in the things of this earth. Instead we look to the hope based on the eternal city God is preparing in heaven, which is the final place of safety, where those who seek refuge in Jesus will forever be

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secure and sheltered. As individuals we need to be sure that Jesus is our refuge, and that as we move into the future through whatever circumstances confront us, we are secure and strong in him. He is the very foundation upon which the future rests.

There are many references in the Bible to God as the One in whom we can find refuge: The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms (Deut 33:27). The Lord is my rock my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock in whom I take refuge (2 Samuel 22: 2-3). God is a shield for all who take refuge in Him (2 Samuel 22: 31).

This imagery became so significant in Israel’s thinking that we find some 44 references in the Psalms to God as a refuge. Here are just a few examples: Psalm 34:22. The Lord redeems his servants. No one will be condemned who takes refuge in Him. Psalm 36:7. How precious is your unfailing love O Lord. Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 46:1. God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Psalm 91:4. He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I will trust.’

It is in the New Testament that all these truths find their focus in Jesus who is presented as the One in whom security, refuge, hope and salvation is found. God’s

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promise of an eternal security kept in heaven is a promise given to all who believe. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you ... (1 Peter 1:3-4).

Jesus was constantly calling people to turn to find in him a refuge. Jesus knew that the deepest issue that afflicts people is our rebellion and sin against God, which has such a devastating impact upon our lives. He came to solve the problem of sin through the offer of forgiveness by his death on the cross. He assures us through his resurrection to life, that there is an eternal hope and future with God in heaven – an eternal home – a city where we will be secure for eternity.

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Chapter 5 GOD’S PLAN BECOMES CLEARER

Ruth 2:18-23. Ruth continued to labour in Boaz’ field during the day and was wonderfully cared for and provided for by him. He made sure she was safe in the fields, that she was adequately provided for at meal time and also that she was able to glean an abundance of grain from the field to take home to Naomi (verses 14-15).

When Ruth returned home later that day she told Naomi about Boaz and Naomi was over the moon because he was one of their kinsman redeemers. The custom of the day provided for the widow of a deceased man to be married to the deceased husband’s nearest male relative, even if the relative was already married. (There is more detail about this custom on page 24). As there were no social services or guaranteed provision for widows, this was a means of providing some security for them. Perhaps at this stage the plans begin to form in Naomi’s mind about securing Boaz as a husband for Ruth.

Plans were made for Ruth to continue working in Boaz’s field for the duration of the barley harvest and she continued to live with Naomi. Life began to settle down for them both after years of struggle.

They had arrived at this point in their life journey through events that God had brought together over many years for the working out of his purpose. Naomi’s life and witness had a powerful effect on Ruth and drew her with bonds of love to Naomi and her God. Ruth’s commitment to Naomi

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impressed Boaz who showed his deep gratitude by being extremely kind to her.

It is the timeless story of God’s interaction and intervention in the lives of those who look to him and who find that though adversity has been part of their life experience, it had a purpose in restoring their soul and bringing them to the green pastures and quiet waters of their present experience (Psalm 23).

When we accept by faith that God is involved in all aspects of our life journey, and we pass through times of difficulty and adversity, we can see more clearly that the world is a place of pilgrimage, not a trouble-free haven. Trust in the presence of God in all circumstances means we do not rely on ourselves but on God. (2 Corinthians 1:9) It is also the pathway to the secret of contentment which Paul speaks of in Philippians 4:10-14. Whether he was in need or had plenty, well fed or hungry, there was a contentment of soul and mind. God’s gift to us of faith in him, brings about a great reversal. Faith releases us from being the victims of Satan’s great deceit. Satan will attempt to use adversity to distort our perception of God and his purposes. As we place our faith and trust in our loving Father, trials become an instrument God uses within his purposes for us, to lead us forward, to humble our pride and self reliance and open the doorway to the future he desires for us.

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Chapter 6 A DISCRETE COURTSHIP

Ruth chapter 3.

The next part of the story is a discretely told tale of courtship and romance which leads to the marriage of Boaz and Ruth. Out of her love for Ruth, Naomi realized it was time for discreet but purposeful action in finding a husband for Ruth so she can again experience a normal family life. Naomi knew that Boaz would be ideal because of his caring and considerate nature and the fact that he, as a relative, would be the ideal kinsman redeemer. What follows is an explanation of the custom through which Ruth and Naomi let Boaz know of Ruth’s availability for marriage, and their expectation that Boaz should become Ruth’s kinsman-redeemer. It may seem a bit forward but in the custom of the day it was appropriate for the widow of a man’s brother to approach him and remind him of the custom. Ruth’s personal preparation for the encounter with Boaz, which involved washing and perfuming herself and wearing her best clothes was certainly a poignant way of making her intentions known. It may seem to us today rather brazen that she lie at Boaz’s feet and ask to be covered with his garment. Was he really startled or was this a tongue in cheek way the author uses to indicate Boaz’s innocence and objectivity in the developing drama? It must be realized we are distant from such well accepted cultural customs and conventions, and we simply need to take the event at face value rather than read anything inappropriate into the developing romance. When Boaz woke up with cold feet, Ruth suggested that he put the corner, literally wing, of his garment over her to

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keep her warm. In this way she was indicating to the kinsman- redeemer that she was asking him to fulfill his obligations as a relative and provide a home for her through marriage. Ruth had come under the Lord’s wing and found a spiritual home and shelter, and she knew that the Lord was guiding her to Boaz who could meet her material, emotional and physical needs.

When Ruth approached Boaz with the possibility of marriage as her kinsman-redeemer, Boaz saw her action as a kindness to him and as an expression of her noble character (verse11). Ruth did not seek the attention of the younger men by running after them. She was too honorable for that. Ruth was kind to an older man in indicating she was willing to have him be her kinsman- redeemer and husband. She did not have to do this – apparently she was young and attractive enough to be of interest to the younger men, but she chose the honorable pathway of remaining within the family of Naomi and Boaz. For the second time, Boaz prayed for the Lord’s blessing to rest upon Ruth.

However, despite Boaz’s willingness to become Ruth’s kinsman-redeemer, there was an obstacle in the way. There was a closer relative to Ruth than Boaz and, according to the law he had the prime responsibility in the matter and the first choice of becoming Ruth’s kinsman-redeemer. Boaz told Ruth he would seek him out and explain the situation and, if he did not want to redeem Ruth, Boaz certainly would do so.

As they parted in the morning, Boaz filled Ruth’s shawl with Barley as an indication of his care for her and Naomi.

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On Ruth’s arrival home, she told an excited Naomi about her encounter with Boaz. Naomi knew that all they could do was to wait while Boaz sought out the other kinsman-redeemer to settle the matter in the hours of that morning.

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Chapter 7 THE FUTURE UNFOLDS

Ruth chapter 4.

It may seem strange to us that Ruth’s future should be linked to the sale and purchase of a block of land, but again it is linked to the lawful and orderly customs of the time designed to protect the rights of individuals and prevent injustice. Boaz’s plan to settle the matter, centered on the sale of the block of land which belonged to Naomi’s family. It is uncertain whether the sale was necessary due to Naomi’s poverty and need for finance, or whether Elimelech had sold the land before going to Moab and Boaz now decided to apply the legal right of the family to redeem the land now that Naomi had returned. Underlying all this however were deeper plans and hopes in the mind of Boaz.

Finding the closer relative, whose name is not recorded, and ten elders of the town to be witnesses to the transaction, Boaz announced that Naomi’s block of land was for sale. Boaz also made it clear that if the offer was not taken up by the closer kinsman-redeemer, he was next in line. The closer relative initially agreed to redeem the land (verse 4), but then Boaz indicated that part of the purchase involved marriage to Ruth in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property (verse 5). With this news the closer relative refused the offer, because of the future risk to his ownership the property. If Ruth were to have a son to him, and that son was his only surviving heir, the estate could pass back to Elimelech’s family. With this decision now confirmed, Boaz announced that he would buy the property and also marry Ruth the Moabitess

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and maintain the name of her deceased husband within the town records.

There was great excitement among the elders and local community at this news and they expressed with great enthusiasm their wishes for the Lord’s blessing upon the union of Boaz and Ruth.

How wonderful to see the great contrast between the opening words of the story and the end! The scene at the beginning of the story is bleak: there was famine in the land. As the story concludes the scene is one of personal joy, good harvests and community well being.

There is a dramatic change in the circumstances of both Ruth and Naomi. From the pagan land of Moab and tragedy of the death of her husband, Ruth has been welcomed into the people of Israel and the family of Boaz: Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife.

All the trauma that Naomi faced in the death of her husband and sons has been reversed to a time of blessing. The women of the town celebrated the beautiful gift God had brought into her life in her daughter-in-law Ruth who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons (verse 15). They also rejoiced with Naomi over the birth of Ruth and Boaz’s child who was named Obed. Little did they know then how significant this was. Obed was the father of Jesse, the father of King David into whose line several generations later was born Joseph, the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus the Saviour.

How great and wonderful is the love and grace of our God!

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Chapter 8. Reflections

The following reflections are an expansion of material contained in the preceding commentary. For convenience and clarity they are arranged under topical headings.

Assurance of positive future outcomes

When we are introduced to Ruth, she was an insignificant, ordinary, poor, pagan woman. God’s plan for her life and her descendants was different to anything she would ever have imagined. Faced with the crisis brought about by the death of their husbands, Ruth and Naomi decided to return from the land of Moab to Naomi’s family in Israel. Ruth had to make a momentous decision – to remain with her own people and the pagan customs and religion with which she was familiar, or respond to the revelation of the true God that Naomi had brought with her. She decided to bind herself to the God of Israel and return with Naomi to her people.

When Ruth decided to follow Naomi, she did not know what the specific outcome of her decision would be – she was committed to Naomi and her desire was to love her and care for her as her mother-in-law. Ruth had no idea that she would meet and marry Boaz and become the great grandmother of King David. All Ruth knew was that her mother- in- law felt led by God to return home and she chose to go with her. If you were to ask her – what do you think will happen now that your husband has died and you are going with Naomi to Israel? she would probably have said, I don’t know. And that is precisely where we will be at times. We may not know details about the future, but in Christ we know that the future is under the Lord’s control.

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Ruth’s faith expressed itself in the desire to be part of God’s people, to absorb into her life the knowledge of the God of Israel and to care for her mother in law.

Did Ruth know the full extent of what was to be her future as she toiled in the fields harvesting the grain? Will we know about all the future outcomes of our faith and witness as we struggle with our routines and spiritual battles? As Hebrews 11 reminds us, faith is the assurance that God is working out his sovereign purpose and that our witness and good works are linked to that purpose in some significant way. While we don’t know the specific details of what the future holds, we have hope and expectation that as we live for the Lord, even in the most difficult circumstances, our labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).

When we are in the midst of some calamity we do not know what the outcome will be and it may be hard to focus on simply remaining faithful and living one day at a time. By committing each day to God he will bring the comfort and help needed at that time and work things together so that in time we will see the outcome which God will bring. It may not be what we expect, sometimes we may never know the full extent of God’s workings, but the God who led Ruth to Boaz is the God who has promised to work all things together according to His will. Is our faith strong enough to trust Him to do that?

When life is bitter

Naomi’s agonized cry on her return home to Bethlehem from Moab, is heart wrenching. Her husband and two sons had died in Moab. She says to her neighbors, The

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Almighty has made my life very bitter. In spite of her pain and loss, she remains firm in her faith and trust, and knows that she has not been abandoned by God. I recognize that such an important and sensitive issue as facing life’s bitter times cannot be completely dealt with in a slim volume such as this. For further reading I suggest authors such as Philip Yancey, Where is God When it Hurts? and C.S.Lewis, The Problem of Pain.

Here are four additional comments to what I have said in chapter 3 about life’s bitter times.

Firstly, it is important that we, like Naomi, do not divide our lives up into separate compartments – the positive blessings department, where we place all the good things that come our way from our loving and gracious God, and the negative sufferings department where we place all the crises and bitter experiences. This attitude can lead us to think that God has deserted us when life hurts, or that all negative circumstances are due to some fault or failure on our part. This in turn can lead to a misplaced personal guilt. The Christian faith places God as sovereign over all things. He is the God who sometimes directs circumstances and at other times permits difficult situations to occur. He is Lord of every detail of our life. When Paul and Silas were in prison (Acts 16), they did not sit there in chains blaming God for neglecting them, but were praying and singing hymns to God and the other prisoners were listening to them (verse 25). When the violent earthquake shook the foundations of the prison freeing the prisoners, Paul and Silas prevented the jailer from killing himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. Their action resulted in the jailer asking them

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how he could be saved. This provided Paul with the opportunity to share the Gospel with him. The result was that he and his household became believers. Even an earthquake does not mean that the world is spinning hopelessly out of control. Faith will accept that God is using the situation to further his purpose, no matter how bitter the circumstance may be.

An example of the situation I am speaking of is given by Naomi Reed, in her book No Ordinary View, published in 2008. She and her husband worked as missionaries in Nepal. She explains how in Nepal, prior to 2004, there had been ten years of civil war, a deteriorating health system, an economic crisis and a political stalemate. It was a background of hopelessness for their Nepali friends and their community. She asks how, in this setting of pain and darkness, God could reveal his nature? How could he call her by name? She wasn’t sure…she didn’t think it was possible. That is where many Christians will be at some point in time. Locked into a period of time when answers seem impossible. However in her book (page 163), she explains that in answer to the prayers and pleas of Nepali Christians for peace in their land, God brought about the miracle of the return of peace to the country.

Secondly, sometimes we suffer because mistakes are made by good and well intentioned people – errors of judgement occur. We may also be the victims of planned evil – to be injured in the process of a bank robbery for example. At the root cause of much pain and suffering is not the directive hand of God, but the actions of good people who make unintentional mistakes, or evil people who plan deliberate crime. Crises can also occur when

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Christians fall into sin or behave in ways which are inconsiderate or unloving. God has given to us a freedom of choice in areas of ethical behavior so that we are not puppets. It is difficult for us with our finite capacities as humans, to fully understand the complexity involved in the question of God’s sovereignty and human freedom. Naomi’s testimony in this passage, does shed some light on how by faith we can express our pain and confusion and talk about the issues that trouble us, without blaming God or accusing him of neglect.

Thirdly, like Naomi in our story, it is good to be honest and open with other believers about the pain we feel and express the emotion involved with the suffering. It is interesting that the story does not touch on the response of her relatives to her cry and we should not draw conclusions from the silence. However we should note in passing that the wise will listen carefully when pain is expressed and be patient when there is an outpouring of emotion. The role of the friend or family is to listen and assist the person to arrive at what they consider to be an answer to the problem, rather than force their opinion, decision or answer upon the sufferer as a well meaning relative or friend.

Finally, the passage of Scripture which I find sheds a great deal of light on the complexity of God’s purpose in allowing me to experience bitter circumstances is 2 Corinthians chapter 1. In verse 8 Paul explains that he had faced severe hardships and pressures to the point where he was almost unable to endure. This involved physical suffering through imprisonment and persecution for his faith. He was at the point of despairing of life and expected

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to be killed at any time. He then comments that this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.

Reliance on God! Here is the foundational truth on which our life must be built. It is reliance on the way of salvation God has provided in Jesus and not a dependence on our own good deeds as the means of being accepted by God. It is reliance on the enabling strength of the Holy Spirit to equip us for ministry rather than thinking my ability is sufficient. It is reliance on the truth that as I face the reality of death from either natural causes or from persecution, it is not the end of things but the beginning of a new resurrection life with Jesus in heaven. Here is both hope which is an anchor for the soul (Hebrews 6:19), and personal comfort and encouragement which enables us to be a source of comfort to others who pass through bitter times (verse 4). God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those who are in trouble.

Crises within relationships, crises of financial difficulty, crises of illness, crises of spiritual need, can all be bitter matters which God can use to help us realize our need for dependence upon him and that the world in which we live is not our final home and should never be seen as the place where we put all our hopes. We misunderstand God’s purpose for us if we think we are hard done by when things go wrong. Our perception of reality needs to be corrected so that we look to Jesus as a place of refuge and with his guidance survey the circumstances and see how we are to behave within the circumstance. Without crises we would be inclined to carry on under the delusion

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that I am sufficient unto myself – that I have no need for God.

God is our refuge - the only place of security. It is within the dependant and trusting relationship with him, that we find our identity, purpose, motive and reason for living. God brought Naomi through her time of bitterness into the joy of a renewed family life.

Worldly attractions test our love for God

If our love for God can be tested by suffering, it can also be tested as we face each day the numerous attractions of the world. The apostle Paul saw his close friend Demas captured by the allurements of the world: Demas, because he loved this present world, has deserted me. (2 Timothy 4:10) The worldly attractions which captured Demas and drew him away from the Lord and his servant Paul would obviously be vastly different from the attractions of the world in which we live today. For us it may be spending more time than is spiritually healthy locked into the captivating world of entertainment which is just milliseconds away on the internet. In a world which places such a false value on consumerism and wealth, it is easy to become driven by the desire for success. How easy for us to plunge into a lifestyle where, like Demas, love for the world can have a devastating impact on our spiritual health. The spiritual conflict which Demas faced remains constant throughout time (see Ephesians 6:10-18). The spiritual exercise of self examination is always significant and challenging. What is it that in this modern world attracts my affections, attention, allegiance and love in such a way and to such a degree, that my love for the

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Lord could gradually dry up leading me to desert the One who loves me and gave himself for me?

It is important to emphasize here, that I am referring to the foundation upon which our life is built – I am not being critical of material things themselves. Wealthy people can be extremely generous and use their wealth in ways that benefit society or assist the spread of the Gospel. The entertainment industry provides much happiness and pleasure. Problems arise when material things become a substitute for, or a distraction from God’s call upon our lives, which is to worship and love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength (Matthew 22:37). This love is the highest virtue and involves living with a joyful, compelling and sacrificial commitment to God through all the circumstances that life brings our way.

Dealing with feelings of insignificance

How should we deal with feelings of insignificance when we see gifted people leading the singing in church, playing in the band or exercising ministry gifts we long to have? We are told in Romans 12:6, that we have different gifts according to the grace given us. It is the Lord who determines the gifts he gives us with which to serve him. We are called upon to use the gifts he has given us and not to be envious about other people and their area of ministry. The development of Christian character and the humble and appropriate use of spiritual gifts, will often take place in background ministry. As a person proves faithful and obedient there over the years, so doors will open into areas of greater responsibility.

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At various times we may be sidelined from exercising ministry gifts as we face a daily struggle which may relate to finances, family difficulties, illness or any number of things that simply make life difficult. However I really believe that within the midst of those circumstances God can use us significantly, as by faith we follow the way of love (1 Corinthians 14:1). The virtue of love (1 Corinthians 13) should be a constant presence in the lives of all God’s people regardless of their position within the church or circumstances in life. Our quiet testimony of faith and trust in God when the road is rough carries great weight.

Rather than being immobilized by our imagined insignificance, we need to see ourselves in the light of 1 Corinthians Chapter 12. Here Paul uses the image of the body and its various parts. He points out that each part has a vital role to play in the healthy working of the whole body. In fact those parts which seem to be weaker are indispensable. There is no insignificant category in his thinking or in God’s purposes for individuals in ministry!

Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 14:1, that Christians should earnestly desire spiritual gifts, encourages us to be enthusiastic and excited about discovering and developing our God given gifts. We must also focus on the prime purpose of using them as a means to communicate the Word of God to others.

Keen support and involvement in training programs provided by the church, has a significant place in the process of equipping people for the work of ministry. It is also very important that people in positions of leadership, exercise a ministry of encouragement and appreciation to

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those who give so much time and energy behind the scenes.

God’s boundless love extends to all

Another significant truth that emerges in the story of Ruth is that the grace, love and mercy of God, extends to people whatever their background, nationality or status. God does not exclude anyone from the gift of salvation because of their background. In the story we see that Ruth, who was a pagan Moabite before her conversion, is treated with abundant grace and welcomed by God. But in addition to this there is a tradition that links Boaz to the family of Rahab, the harlot of Jericho, who hid the Hebrew spies that had entered Jericho to spy out the city before Joshua and Israel attacked it. While this raises a question about the setting of Ruth which is not our concern here, it does show a further expansion of the inclusiveness of God’s love for the foreigner, stranger and marginalized. In Ruth and Boaz, God brings together two individuals miles apart in background and nationality, and brings from their union King David and Joseph the husband of Mary the mother of Jesus. Boaz within God’s plan, accepted Ruth whose pedigree was rather questionable. Paul makes the same point in 1 Corinthians 1: 26. Brothers think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential, not many of noble birth. The Message translation continues…God chose men and women that culture overlooks, those considered to be nobodies, to expose the hollow pretensions of the somebodies.

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Whether it is a question of social status or nationality the message is clear – all are welcome in God’s family and all can be equipped by his grace to serve him in a significant way.

God brings circumstances together for our good

We also see in the story an Illustration of how God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8: 28). God, through his power and grace, brings together individuals from different backgrounds to provide a loving husband for Ruth. Step by step God brought together the strands of the story to bring about His purpose: drought, the decision to go to Moab, the witness of Naomi and the conversion of Ruth, the return to Bethlehem, Ruth’s gathering of barley in the field of Boaz, their meeting, the provision of a kinsman redeemer, the decision of the closer relative not to take on the responsibility, the marriage, the outcome in the genealogy. In all these steps we see the hand of God directing the process.

Seeking the good of others

Woven into this process, is the example seen in the lives of Ruth and Boaz, who sought the good of others above and beyond what was best for themselves. They did not seek personal rewards or blessing but sought to bring blessing to others. This is the virtue of love and humility Paul encourages in Philippians 2:4, Let each of you look to the interest of others not your own. This is seen in Ruth’s attitude to Naomi in her decision to return from Moab with her as her companion. It is seen as she went into the fields to gather grain so they would have enough food to

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eat. There was some possible personal risk involved at first for Ruth before meeting Boaz, as we can assume from Ruth 2:9. Boaz directs his male harvesters not to touch her and provides water for her when she becomes thirsty.

When Boaz met Ruth, knowing of her care and sacrifice for Naomi, he prays that God will reward her – he desired to see her life become renewed based on the knowledge of God (Ruth 2:12). The blessing of his marriage to Ruth followed his seeking to honour God in the development of their relationship. The pattern in all this, is that each character, gave careful thought to what was honoring to God and beneficial to others as a priority in the working out of their own needs and circumstances. Their motivation was not that which so often characterizes people’s action in these days of self focus – giving first priority to looking after number one and acting in a way which is best for me !

Did Ruth deserve Boaz? It is helpful to consider another issue which comes into conversation occasionally. Did Ruth deserve this happy ending to her story after all she had been through; especially after her break away from paganism to the true and living God? Sometimes we can think that good things come our way because we deserve them and are being rewarded. The problem with this attitude is that it puts the focus on our deeds and can very easily lead to pride. Whatever good comes our way comes through the gracious gift of God, not through our works or deeds or to

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make up for our sufferings. Let our praise and gratitude for good things be directed to God’s mercy and grace.

When the idea of getting what we deserve occurs in the Bible, it is often is the sense that God, in his mercy and grace, spares us from the penalty we deserve because of our sin and failure. The Lord is compassionate and gracious…he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities (Psalm 103:10).

When we think in terms of deserving things as a reward, we are very close to the false Gospel of salvation by works which teaches that I can do things to earn God’s favour and blessing. While the Bible teaches that God rewards those who diligently seek him, it is a reward in the sense of His gift of forgiveness and new life that extends into all eternity. Paul’s great desire and delight was to know the Lord and the power of his resurrection. What greater reward could one desire? (Philippians 3:7-10).

Redemption

In the picture of the kinsman redeemer we have an illustration of the Bible’s teaching about redemption. The picture presented is one which involves the payment of a ransom price in order to buy back something which was lost or forfeited. While Naomi did not own the land in question, she had the right to buy it back as it had belonged to her family prior to their move to Moab. She did not have the money for this purchase. So Boaz, out of his resources, paid the price for the land on her behalf, and redeemed the land for her. Because the customs of the day linked Ruth, as Naomi’s daughter-in-law to the land, Boaz acquired her with the land and this opened the

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door for their formal marriage. Boaz brought Ruth into his family and provided a secure, loving future and refuge for her as her husband.

This theme of the payment of a ransom price to bring us into the family of God is used in the New Testament as one of the great illustrations to explain what Christ did for us on the cross. The love which Boaz had for Ruth made it a great joy for him to sacrifice what was necessary in order to bring her into his family. And in a way which shows the enormity of the grace and love which Jesus has for us, he willingly paid the ransom price of his life to bring us into the family of God. In (Jesus) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace (Ephesians 1:7).

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Thank you for allowing me to share with you the reflections contained in this booklet. I hope they have been an encouragement.

As we journey through the circumstances of this life it is such a blessing to know that in Christ we have the assurance of his continual presence and the hope of an eternal home with him in heaven. This is indeed a firm and secure anchor for the soul (Hebrews 6:19).

Praise be to God who will bring us safely through this life to the day when we will see him face to face in his glory.