April 7th

Today's reading in the One Year Chronological Reading Plan is Ruth 1:1-4:12.

Oh, what a breath of fresh air these chapters are in comparison to the horribleness we've been reading about lately.

And in fact, I think that's one of the lessons of today's readings. Despite the fact that this story takes place during the time of the judges (IOW, during all this horribleness), Boaz and Ruth are consistent examples of godly character. No matter how bad things are around us, that is never an excuse to lower our own standards of behaviour. In fact, we can be incredible witnesses during such times simply because of the stark contrast between our behaviour and that of the world around us.

I've never been totally sure about Naomi - whether she was a godly woman or not. This commentary definitely depicts her more negatively, but his arguments do make good sense and fit the text, and I am inclined to agree with him.

Naomi, when trying to convince her daughters-in-law to leave her, actually tells them to go back to their own gods (1:15). If she truly believed in God, why would she instruct them to do something so sinful and worthless?

Ruth, though seemingly knowing little to nothing about Naomi's God, seems to know enough to have faith that this is the way to go - reminiscent of Rahab I think.

Chapter 2 definitely emphasizes Ruth's exemplary character (hard worker, courageous) and doesn't say much about Naomi who does not do any work, and does not even come with her daughter-in-law to provide moral support (if she was too old or unable to work). We are also introduced to Boaz who also proves to be a man of excellent moral fibre. For more on Chapter 2 see this commentary.

Of course, this gets Naomi's brain cooking and she comes up with a plan. Again, this commentator sees Naomi's plan in a bad light, and again I am inclined to agree. People have tried to reason this plan away by saying this was culturally acceptable. But nowhere else in the Bible is such a custom described. Showering, putting on perfume, approaching a man's bed when he is alone and after he has likely drank some wine - well, that doesn't sound like a very chaste plan to me. It seems like Naomi is hoping that Boaz will give in to the temptation of Ruth and basically be tricked into marrying her. But both Ruth and Boaz handle this situation with purity and strength of character, and both reputations remain intact (no thanks to the meddling MIL). Here is a quote from the above commentary that I liked....

Men are called to be moral leaders in their relationship with the opposite sex. In our culture, it is sometimes assumed that men will be the aggressors and that it is the woman’s role to “put on the brakes.” This is often the case in dating. Many young men seem all too willing to go as far as the young woman will permit. This is not the way it happened in our story. In effect, Naomi instructed Ruth that she was to do whatever Boaz said (3:4). Had Boaz not been a man of character, things might have gone in a very different direction at this midnight meeting under the covers and in the cover of darkness. But it was Boaz who took the moral leadership so as to protect the purity and reputation of Ruth.

Young men, this is the standard for you. You (and I, and every man) should be the kind of moral leader who takes the moral high ground, protecting the purity and reputation of those women with whom we associate. This is what real manhood is about. Remember, Boaz was a “mighty man of valor.” He showed that not only on the battlefield, and in the barley field, but at the threshing floor as well.

And another great lesson to learn from this text...

We should readily see that it is important for every Christian to discern the difference between sound counsel and ungodly counsel. But just how is one to discern the difference? I can think of several important clues from our text. First, one should evaluate the counsel given by another by considering their personal relationship with God. The indications we are given regarding Naomi’s spiritual condition in chapter 1 are far from encouraging. Naomi is not a woman who is walking close to God. By her own confession, she is bitter, accusing God of being unduly harsh with her. That should cause us to see all kinds of red flags (warnings).

We would do well in evaluating the counsel of others if we asked this question: Is the counsel I am being given coming directly from the Words of Scripture, or is it the opinion of the counselor? Is the counsel we are given a “Thus saith the Lord” that is found in the Bible, or is it a personal opinion? Finally, we can learn a great deal from the answer to this question: “Is the counsel being given challenging me to do the difficult (even humanly impossible) thing that is right, or is it justifying me doing the easy thing that I (in my sinful flesh) really want to do?” God’s will is almost never the “path of least resistance.” God’s will was expressed in the law, but we know from Romans 7 that we cannot do it by mere will power or fleshly effort. God’s will can only be accomplished when His Spirit gives life to our flesh which is dead with respect to righteousness.

I am also impressed with how Boaz makes sure Ruth is able to leave before dawn to protect both his and her reputations. And then, how he follows up immediately on his commitment to her, and taking care of things properly, in full daylight, with many witnesses. He also gives the closer kin an opportunity to do the right thing, while letting him know that he will do it, if the other will not.

And God richly blesses this couple. They end up being great-grandparents of King David and direct ancestor of Jesus Christ!

Tomorrow's passage: Ruth 4:13-22, 1 Chronicles 2:9-55, 1 Chronicles 4:1-23 and 1 Samuel 1:1-8