Book of Ruth Ruth, and God\'s Apparent

Book Of Ruth

Ruth, and God's apparent absence.

The Old Testament is filled with stories of mighty works between God and man. In supernatural ways, god seem intimately involves with his creation in order to reveal himself in their lives, and weave Himself into their history. Moses, Joshua, Abraham, and Elijah - these mighty leaders seem to be lead, or maybe pushed, to great deeds by intimate interactions with the creator of the universe. So when Ruth appears on the scene, and apparently lives a quiet and self determines life in the middle of what appears to be someone else's plans, where is God? Why is this person 'left to fend for herself' when God can be dramatically active in the lives of his people. Is she somehow less important? If so, why is her story included in the bible. Surely other people lived more inspirational lives than the Moabitess named Ruth. This paper looks into Ruth's life, and the economic and social factors which were all a part of God's plan. Through Ruth, YHWH reveals something about himself that he shows in few other scripture passages.

Ruth is a Moabitess. A descendant of Lot and his Daughters, the Moabites were outside of the collection of God's chosen people. Ruth was woven into the biblical narrative not because of her great calling, like Deborah or Sarah, but because she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. To set the stage, Naomi and her son's, Israelites, left their homeland during a famine. This was the first in a series of tragic choices that bring us to the story of Ruth. The Israelites were not supposed to leave their promised land during times of difficulty. The Old Testament covenant instructed that when famine, or trouble came upon the land, that they should seek the Lord Yahweh with their whole hearts, in order to see favor brought back upon the land.

Naomi, her nameless husband, and their two sons disobeyed God, and went to settle in the land of Moab. While there the sons married Moabite women, which was a second step in the direction away from god's revealed will in their lives. God called his people to stay separate form the surrounding nations. He called them to be a 'called out' people, his peculiar treasure. None the less, the circumstances introduce Ruth to this backslidden family, and she becomes a part of their heritage, and future.

By unknown reasons, (possibly God's hand of judgment on disobedient people) the men are killed, leaving Naomi, and her step daughters to fend for themselves. At this point, Naomi remembers that in Israel, the community is commanded to care for widows, so she decided to return to her home land, and wallow in the grief which fate has brought into her life. One step daughter stays in her home land, but Ruth shows a character of peculiar treasure. This is the first revelation of God's nature in the story. Possibly Ruth sees the emotional distress of her mother in law. Possibly she has not ties with her land, and just wants a new start. But her comments to Naomi are a display of her heart of love for her family by marriage "Do not entreat me to leave you or forsake you. I will go where you go. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God." (Ruth 1.15-16)

Ruth is an example of God's commitment to his people. She made a commitment to Naomi when she made a commitment to her son. Now, even though adversity has fallen them all, Ruth chooses to remain apart of Naomi's family, faithful to her promise. It is not that she is a self determined person in the middle of god's sovereign plan, but she is an example of God's character to others, and for her faithfulness she is rewarded. But more importantly, her decision is to remain faithful to her promise. She does not consider that she has another option. Even though she has been raised in a land apart from the law, and the direct influences of YHWH, her heart is tender to his purpose.

The story continues of discovering Boaz, the nearest relative of Naomi who is an age which maybe interested in marrying Ruth. He is a wealthy land owner, and through a series of ceremonial customs, Boaz expressed his desire to wed Ruth, after Ruth displays her humble and servant hearted character by reaping food for her step mother in obedience to her step mothers requests. We do not know ho much time has passed since Naomi and Ruth have returned dot Israel in search of a family. Often as we turn the pages of scripture, we are not award of how much time or effort has gone into a particular endeavor. In Ruth 3.11 the reader is given a picture of the passage of time. Boaz has expressed his appreciation for Ruth's kindness to him, and he says "The whole city of my people knows that you are a virtuous woman." God is at work in Ruth's life although his name is not present. He is working to weave a future for a virtuous and caring woman to whom life had been exceedingly unkind.

Family lineage was important in Israel, as the tribes kept written records of their ancestors for generations, from the time they were deposited in Egypt until the destruction of the temple in 70 AD. The final 2 points of Ruth's story are related to lineage. Ruth and Boaz are wed. They give birth to Obed. Obed is the father of Jesse, who in turn is the father of David, the king. From David the king, the everlasting King is descendent, Jesus of Nazareth.

The next important lesson to find in Ruth's story is that the traits of the parents are passed along to the children, who then often repeat the patterns. Ruth and Boaz had an exceptional relationship which was birthed out of respecting traditions, and vows, and being faithful to ones commitments. The character of these two parents was undoubtedly passed along thorough training and example to Obed, and Jesse, who became the father of a king. We cannot see the day-to-day lessons which were passed along within this family, but the bachelor Boaz and the widow Ruth both found god's grace in the events of their lives. Certainly these lessons were passes along to their children.