Ann H LeFevre
  • Home
  • Ready for the Road Ahead
  • Images & Ink
  • Recommended Resources
  • About
  • Store
  • Behind the PIcture

Ruth

5/24/2017

0 Comments

 
          I saw a commercial recently where a woman my age extols the ability of our generation to adapt to a whole new world.  We’ve moved from phones stuck on the wall, adding machines, mimeograph printers and encyclopedias to cell phones, calculators, wireless printers connected to home computers and cell phones which are now combining all of the above and making them available 24/7.  Have you ever been talking to someone, wondered about something and instantly looked it up on your phone?  Whether it’s the weather, history, pop culture or the need to talk to someone, with the right phone, it’s all there, right at your fingertips.  It’s a whole new world.
            If there was ever a person in the Bible that had to adjust to a whole new world (and there are a few!), Ruth would be near the top of the list.  In fact a whole book of the Bible is devoted to her story.  The opening chapter of Ruth describes the situation.  After the conquest the Israelite tribes have settled in their designated territories but they have not completely rid the land of its former occupants as the Lord commanded.  During this time, roughly 1100 B. C. the judges are administering cases and serving as military deliverers when oppression arises (Jud. 2:16; 4:4; Ruth 1:1).
            In an ironic twist of events a famine breaks out  in the territory of Judah, specifically Bethlehem which means “House of Bread” and the family of Elimelech (God is my King) decides to pack it up and move 30 miles across the border to the land of Moab.  The Moabites were descendants of Lot (Gen. 19:30-38).  They were considered enemies and cursed when they did not help Israel after the Exodus (Dt. 23:3-6).  During the time of the judges they took advantage of the instability and dominated Israel for 18 years at one point (Jud. 3:12-14).  As pantheists they worshipped a number of “baals” (Num. 25:1-5) but the chief and most detestable of their pantheon was Chemosh whom they offered their children to on a regular basis (2 Ki. 3:27).  One has to wonder what Elimelech was thinking when he relocated there, especially since Moab means “waste”.  It was a dubious decision and he certainly wasn’t living up to his name!   We are never told how Naomi, his wife, felt about the decision to move, but we do know how she feels the way life played out in Moab.  After the death of her husband and her sons she changes her name from Naomi (pleasant) to Mara (bitter) when she decides to return to her homeland (Ruth 1:20).
            But while all seems lost, there is a glimmer of hope.  Naomi has one bright spot in her life, her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth.  They are both loving and devoted to their mother-in-law.  After the deaths of her sons Naomi points out that their prospects in Bethlehem are minimal to none and she encourages them to remain with their families when she returns to Bethlehem (Ruth 1:8-13).  Widows had very little prospect for survival if they did not have family to help care for them.  Since Naomi is uncertain about her family’s situation in Bethlehem common sense dictates they stay in Moab.  Orpah chooses to stay but Ruth begs to go (Ruth 1:14-18).  Their names reflect their choices: Orpah= cloud; Ruth= drop of water.  Like many of the names mentioned in this book these names offer an interesting reflection the predicament Naomi faces.  If you were facing an uncertain future wouldn't you rather have a drop of water, than a cloud?  That’s just my observation!
            As Ruth adjusts to the cultural nuances in her new home (deftly guided by Naomi I might add), her character traits remain unchanged.  She listens to Naomi and does as she’s told which results in her being noticed by Boaz who eventually makes her his wife (read the rest of the book if you don’t know the details!).  In a time when the nation of Israel struggled to be faithful and true to their God, Ruth’s faith and loyalty to Naomi stood out- especially since she came from Moab!  It could be said that these characteristics foreshadow a future descendant of hers, that is Jesus (Mt. 1:5; Lk. 3:32).  As a devoted Son, He remained faithful to the Father’s will (Jn. 6:38-40).  It is no surprise then that He will be known by these attributes when He returns (Rev. 19:11).
            The major cultural backdrop upon which the story of Ruth takes place is the harvest.  As commanded in the Mosaic Law, Boaz allows the poor to glean around the edges of his field.  This is where Ruth catches his eye due to her loyalty and gentle spirit.  It is a reason to examine our own attitudes and actions as we go through our routines day in and day out.  How do we compare to Ruth?  If we need a checklist, Gal. 5:22-23 is a great resource.  Aided by the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, others should see these traits without question.  You and I may be adept in adjusting to a whole new world in technology, but more importantly the Spirit should be changing us within, adjusting us to be more like Jesus.  How are you measuring up?
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div. 
Week of 5/28/2017
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Faith & Seeing

    Ready for the Road Ahead began as a bulletin insert in 2010 and has since grown into a weekly on-line Bible lesson.  I love to teach and have taught in both church and school settings.  I hope these articles will both encourage and equip you as you follow Christ.

    Archives

    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

    View my profile on LinkedIn

Proudly powered by Weebly