Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Reflecting on Ruth


Am I the only one, who, when I read Ruth 1:16, immediately in my mind flashes to a scene from the movie “Fried Green Tomatoes” when Mama Threadegood opens an envelope, unfolds a piece of paper  and says to Idgie, “This is from the Bible, it's from the Book of Ruth. And Ruth said: "Whither thou goest, I will go. Where thou lodgest, I will lodge. Thy people shall be my people."  Ladies, I think I have said this before but I suspect my knowledge of early ‘90’s chick flicks is the reason I cannot do algebra.  There just isn’t enough room in my brain.  But I digress…  I remember watching that part of the movie and wondering, just what in the world the book of Ruth in the Bible was all about?!  It wasn’t until years later that I actually read through it, studied it, and LOVED it!

Quite a few people tell me that they think the Bible is boring or that it intimidates them.  But you guys, there are some really riveting stories in the Bible! From Esther to Rahab, Abigail to Ruth (and so many more!) God used these women in impossible situations in awesome ways! So today, I want to tell you about one of my most favorite women of the Bible, Ruth.

The story of Ruth begins with Naomi actually.  Naomi is Ruth’s mother-in-law but we will get to that part in a second.  Naomi’s husband decides that since there is a famine going on, it would be best for them to pack up and move from Bethlehem to Moab.

So Naomi and her husband, Elimelech, move with their two sons to a new town.  A place that does not worship the one, true God.  But, tragedy strikes! Elimelech dies.  Not good.  However, Naomi’s two sons both married Moabite women.  Naomi had two new daughters-in-law, Orpah (which I always read as Oprah, lol!) and Ruth.   Sadly though, ten years later both of Naomi’s sons die as well, leaving their wives childless.

Ladies, this is really, really not good.  Not only are Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah grieving but they are in dire straits.  First of all, back then widows were usually ignored.  Second, they had no income.  Zip.  Nada. Zilch.  They were broker than broke.  There was too much month at the end of their money.  You get the picture ; )

Naomi heard that the famine was over in Bethlehem and decides to make the arduous task of traveling back to her homeland with her daughters-in-law.  Now, don’t even think this was some kind of fun road trip. This was a dangerous and difficult journey.  And I have a feeling, the gravity of the situation hits Naomi and her daughters-in-law as they start out on the road. 

Naomi decides to urge Ruth and Orpah to go back home to their families in Moab.  Both women protest.  But Naomi explains to both of them, while this situation is bad, they can go back home to their families and start over.  Naomi, though, has no one in Moab.  She must make the trip to Bethlehem to at least see if there is anyone remaining from her family who could possibly help her.

Both of Naomi’s daughters-in-law put up a fight.  Through her tears though, Orpah says goodbye to Naomi and Ruth and heads back to Moab.  But Ruth clings tightly to Naomi.  So let’s think about this picture for just a second.  It is a dire situation.  Naomi gives both ladies a “way out” and the opportunity to go home to their family.  Orpah tearfully exits.  Ruth tearfully remains.  Ladies, I love this about Ruth!  Despite all of the unknowns, she was willing to accompany Naomi and ultimately care for her. This is where the verse Ruth 1:16 comes up.  Ruth makes her decision fully known and she is not backing down a bit“But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” Ruth 1:16 (NIV)

Wow.  I am guessing that Naomi was probably floored.  Ruth must have been absolutely stoic in her resolve because Naomi realizes how determined Ruth is to accompany her and agrees to let Ruth make the journey with her.  Thus, the road trip is back on and wouldn’t you know?! They arrive in Bethlehem right as the barley harvest is beginning.  Isn’t God’s timing amazing?!

Now, I just want to go back and touch on something.  Ruth was brave.  She was declaring that she was leaving her (godless) town, her family, all she had ever known, to go with Naomi. Essentially, she was trusting in a God she had only learned of by Naomi! First, I believe this speaks volumes about what Naomi must have told Ruth about God or displayed to her as Naomi lived out her faith each day.  Second, Ruth was making a deep commitment to her mother-in-law.  She was moving to a town that was probably not going to welcome her with open arms because she was a Moabitess.  I can just imagine the talk around the well now, “Oh girl, did you see Naomi’s daughter-in-law?! She is from MOAB!”

Ruth and Naomi have arrived in Bethlehem but they need to eat.  Ruth takes the initiative (which again, I love!) and asks Naomi for her permission to glean some barley from the fields.  Basically Ruth was going to pick up any grain that had been left behind from the harvesters.  Yet again, another quality I adore about Ruth, she is not afraid of hard work.  And you know what, when Ruth was out in the fields, God provided for her and Naomi in a big way.

While gleaning, Ruth just so happened to be in the right field at the right time.  Don’t you just love how God works all things out for good?! “And as it happened, she found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz, the relative of her father-in-law, Elimelech.” Ruth 2:3 (NLT)

This was a big deal!  When Ruth met Boaz, he showed her respect and kindness that went far above the norm of that day.  And when Boaz realized that Ruth was the Moabite woman who was Naomi’s faithful daughter-in-law, he was exceedingly generous and protective of her.  An admirable quality of Ruth is that after a while in Bethlehem, she was known not as the outsider, but as a woman who was loyal to Naomi.  No matter what difficulties Ruth faced, her character never changed.

When Ruth goes home to Naomi, loaded down with grain and a doggy-bag from dinner, Naomi asks her just who was so generous to her.  Ruth tells Naomi of Boaz and all he did for her. Naomi is super excited to hear Ruth’s news and is even more excited to share with Ruth that Boaz is actually a kinsman-redeemer.  Long story short, Boaz was a relative that could take on the responsibility of marrying Ruth, since they were in the same family and according to the custom back then, would give her the opportunity to have a son and thus be able to carry on the name of her deceased husband.  So pretty much, the knight saving the damsel (and her MIL) in distress!

As the harvesting season comes to an end, Naomi instructs Ruth on what she needs to do to let Boaz know she’s interested in him taking on the role of kinsman-redeemer.  When I first read about what Ruth tells Naomi to do in the third chapter in the book of Ruth, I was dumbfounded.  Basically Naomi tells Ruth to get all gussied up and go to the threshing floor at night, where Boaz will be, and go lay at his feet.  Say what?! Back then though, it was the custom for servants to lay at the feet of their master, not something unvirtuous.  So really this was Ruth’s way of letting Boaz know if he was up for it, she wanted him to be her kinsman-redeemer. Ruth took the advice of Naomi (great trait alert – listening to the advice of an elder!) and follows her instructions to a “t”.  

So what happened next?!  Well, dear readers, I am leaving you with a CHALLENGE!  I challenge you to read the rest of the story : )  Don’t you just love cliffhangers?!  Seriously though, I want to encourage you to read the story of Ruth and glean for yourself (Ha! Glean! See what I did there?!) all you can from her amazing story. It is an awesome account of how God brings blessings out of tragedy!

Happy reading ladies!  


Post by: Marcy Gates

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

A Woman Like Esther...


Okay, I will admit, I am a woman who struggles with submission. There, I said it. Don’t get me wrong, I am no rebel but I do tend think that I “know best”.  I used to think that I didn’t struggle with control issues because I wasn’t what the world would call a Type ‘A’ personality. The longer I am on this journey though the more I see those moments when I really want to be in control! I often try to handle things on my own without giving it to God, because I am an independent woman and all.  Can you relate? 

So when I think about my struggle to submit, I look to Esther. Her story is one of my favorites because she is a marvel to me. Esther was a women who so completely trusted in God that she knew, and I mean really knew her purpose. She couldn’t see the outcome but her faith through wisdom, patience and submission proved she was confident in her purpose. The key here is, she knew God and she stood on His promises. I strive to be a woman like Esther. A woman of beauty, quiet confidence, and life changing submission. 

You see, it’s not like Esther “had the life”. Her parents died when she was young and she was raised by her uncle, Mordecai. When Esther was thrown into what most would think is “the life” she remained steadfast in her faith. She nearly had the kingdom at her finger tips and she didn’t take her position for granted. 

When Esther is preparing herself to be introduced to the King, she has the opportunity to adorn herself with all the jewelry she wanted. Instead Esther chooses wisdom and only takes what Hegai (the King’s eunuch in charge of the harem) had advised. This stands out to me as an act of obedience in fulfilling her purpose. How often do I clothe myself with all the things just to impress... who? In this instance and throughout Esther’s story I ask myself, “Would I have chosen the same? 

Separated from everything familiar and faced with a new culture Esther continues to rely on what she knows. She doesn’t change or waiver. This remains true even when it comes down to the nitty gritty. Esther keeps choosing obedience out of a steadfast faith. 

"For if you remain silent at his time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 (ESV) 

God’s name is not mentioned in the book of Esther but in reality His name is written all over it. Another reason to marvel at Esther’s story. It is also how I can identify with her. I read her story and I see my own. I see God orchestrating and working in her life to bring freedom and redemption. Esther doesn’t see the end result, but God does and she continues to trust what she knows of Him. He does the same for me and for you. God is always working in our lives. He places us in our work environments, our homes, churches, schools, etc. to accomplish His purpose. I believe we must ask ourselves what Mordecai asks Esther, “And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” 

And so I want to be a woman like Esther. A woman of steadfast faith, radical submission and quiet confidence. I want to be a woman who stands in the beauty that God has charged me with. A woman who hears His voice, knows His promises and trusts in His faithfulness. 

Post by: Jimmie Lee DiIanni