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Have you ever been convicted in your heart to
do something that doesn’t make rational sense to anyone around
you? This week’s scripture comes from the book of Ruth; it is a
book filled with seemingly irrational decisions.
The book begins on a dark note. Naomi had
fallen on hard times. She had lost her husband and her two sons
to death. Naomi was bitter at the world and at God. She had
nothing left, but two daughter-in-laws whom she released, for
Naomi was no longer able to provide for them. One of the
daughter-in-laws, Orpah, followed Naomi’s instruction and
returned to her homeland, but Ruth clung to her mother-in-law
and refused to leave. She told Naomi, “Do not press me to leave
you or to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go;
where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people,
and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16). Ruth had every reason in the
world to leave Naomi. Naomi had nothing to offer her, except a
life of poverty. People back then, didn’t just pack up and leave
like we do today. Leaving Moab also meant that Ruth would lose
her identity (religion, family, security, friends, etc.). Ruth
would always be an outcast, but nevertheless this is the
irrational decision that she makes.
In the end, it is a happy story. Against all
odds, Ruth and Naomi lives do not yield more tragedy and
despair. Ruth ends up marrying a man named Boaz, who
surprisingly is a distant relative of Naomi’s. Ruth and Boaz
have a son named Obed. Obed bears a child named David. Jesus is
part of the Davidic line. Ultimately, Ruth’s irrational decision
to follow Naomi brings forth Jesus who brings redemption for the
whole people of God.
Redemption is an important theme in the book
of Ruth. The word “redeem” is used more than 20 times in the 85
verses. Naomi is redeemed by her daughter-in-law Ruth whose
actions restore her worth in society. Ruth is redeemed by her
marriage to Boaz and her son Obed. Ruth is no longer an outcast;
furthermore, her actions begin the Davidic line of our Lord and
Savior.
“Chesed” is the driving force behind this
redeeming story. The word “chesed” is Hebrew for loyalty and
faithfulness arising from a commitment. Chesed can also be
described as loving kindness. Though Naomi had no further
obligation to her daughter-in-laws, she expressed concern for
them and their future. Ruth cleaved to Naomi beyond all
expectation and sought marriage with Boaz as the family
protector. Boaz preserves the lineage and inheritance of a
family that was almost lost. He accepted the double
responsibility of a land purchase and a marriage.
It never ceases to amaze me how God puts
people in our lives to bring us out of dark times. Life rarely
goes the way we plan it. Like Naomi, there are times when our
life falls to pieces and we grow bitter towards the world and
God. It is in those exact moments, in our most unlovable
moments, that we need someone to stand by our side. Ruth did
this for Naomi. We should do this for one another. It is through
the power of the loving kindness from one human being to another
that transforms this story from the bleak abyss to hope and
light. The power of one person putting themselves on the line
for another makes all the difference.
Prayer: Dear God,
open my eyes to those who are hurting around me. Give me the
courage to reach out to them. May the loving kindness that comes
from you continue to heal and mend our lives. Amen.
