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March 18 + Daily readings & notes

DAY 77

Compared to some of what we've read so far in the Bible, today's story (the whole book of Ruth) is a refreshing break.  Although the book begins in tragedy, it ends in triumph.  

Let's finish the book of Ruth today--but first watch today's Bible Project video:




DAILY READINGS

Ruth 1-4 & Psalm 77

DAILY NOTES

Ruth 1
  • Verse 1 connects the story of Ruth to the time of the judges.
  • There is no concrete connection between the death of Naomi's husband and sons and the famine.  Initially, Naomi is at the center of the tragic events.
    • Naomi is left with out a husband or sons, but nothing is said about the daughters-in-law.
  • Naomi tells her daughters-in-law to go back with their family.  One does, Orpah, but the other stays with her, Ruth.
  • Naomi recognizes Ruth's steadfast determination to stay.
  • Naomi tells her people to call her by a different name: Bitter
Ruth 2
  • Boaz is introduced as a member of Naomi's family.  He is prominent and rich--that comes into play later.
  • Ruth goes to the fields to glean.  This is a prescribed way to care for the poor.  Naomi and Ruth have no other means to care for themselves.
  • Ruth meets Boaz and find favor with him.
Ruth 3
  • It was Ruth's idea to work to care for her and Naomi.  Now, it's Naomi's idea for Ruth to go to Boaz to seek marriage.  
  • Boaz agrees to marry Ruth, but there is another member of the family who has more right to marry her than he does.
Ruth 4
  • Boaz devises a plan to marry Ruth.  The plan works--Boaz and Ruth are married.  Consequently, preparing us for future events, the genealogy of David begins.
Psalm 77
  • Two verses from this illustrate what is important to remember about what the psalmist is describing:
    • "Has God forgotten to be gracious?  Has he in anger shut up his compassion?"
    • "And I say, "It is my grief that the right hand of the Most High has changed."

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

It's been said that Ruth's story is one of steadfast compassion.

How easy it is to see that!  Think of those powerful words:
Do not press me to leave you
or to turn back from following you!
Where you go, I will go;
where you lodge, I will lodge;
your people shall be my people,
and your God my God.
17 Where you die, I will die—
there will I be buried.
May the Lord do thus and so to me,
and more as well,
if even death parts me from you!
And think of Naomi's compassion for her daughters-in-law, especially for Ruth as the story progresses.  Even God's compassion comes through in the story.  Without God's command to provide for the gleaning of the fields, Ruth probably never meets Boaz.

Just like Ruth's deeds were known while she was alive (Ruth 2:11), so today they stand as a true testament to what our life together can be.

May God give us strength to be as Ruth to others.

Stay blessed...john
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