Ruth 1-2
Dear RTB’ers,
If this is your first time reading the book of Ruth, I would not be surprised to learn that you continued on to read the last two chapters also. It would be hard not to go on and to see the final, complete redemption of the tragedies that fell on Naomi. But today we have only the first two chapters, each with it’s own story line – Naomi and Ruth in the first chapter, with Ruth and Boaz in the second chapter.
The first chapter has a couple of beloved lines, often read or sung at weddings: But Ruth said, “Do not plead with me to leave you or to turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you sleep, I will sleep. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD do so to me, and worse, if anything but death separates me from you.” (vv. 1:16-17) Precious words.
Boaz’s words in the second chapter are no less redemptive: “All that you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband has been fully reported to me, and how you left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and came to a people that you did not previously know. May the LORD reward your work, and may your wages be full from the LORD, the God of Israel, under Whose wings you have come to take refuge.” (vv. 2:11b-12) What Boaz says to Ruth is only half the story. He speaks further to his servants to make sure that she is protected and successful in her gleanings: “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not insult her. Also you are to purposely slip out for her some grain from the bundles and leave it so that she may glean, and do not rebuke her.” (vv. 2:15b-16)
If this book had ended here, we would have seen the Lord’s hand in Naomi’s redemption. But it goes on (tomorrow) and His hand looking forward is even more powerful than what we have read today!! Come join us for our RTB gathering after coffee hour!! GLORY!!
Blessings!
See also: March 20 (2023) / Ruth 1-4