Ruth - A Biblical breath of fresh air we need

In my current seminary class, we are diving into the first twelve books of the Bible. Genesis through 2 Kings.

The beginnings of our faith. We have discussed all of the main narratives out of these books. Adam and Eve, Joshua and his brothers, Moses and the Exodus, King David and all the rest. The books are filled with stories of election and perseverance, but at the same time are filled with war, oppression, deceit, struggle and strife. If you were to read all of these books back-to-back, you may find yourself in a little bit of a depressed state. This is the beginnings of God’s relationship with us. These people are charged with doing the work of God, but at what cost? Are we proud of the way things transpired?

But in the middle of these books lies a short story that doesn’t seem to fit the narrative. So much so in fact that in some religions the book is moved to a different spot in the Bible. The book I am referring to is the book of Ruth. The book of Ruth is a story of hesed, the Hebrew word described as faithful love, steadfast love, and loyal love. In the book, we see three distinct hesed relationships. We first see the relationship of Ruth and Naomi, her mother-in-law. When Ruth’s husband dies, by tradition she should have stayed in Moab with her family instead of going with Naomi back to Jerusalem. However, Ruth shows her loyal love to Naomi by going with. Ruth will be a foreigner in this land with no friends, family, or status. Yet she goes anyway.

We also see a hesed relationship between Ruth and Boaz, the well respected man that lets Ruth glean his fields. He also gives Ruth protection while she is doing so.

Again we see a story of compassion and love out of choice, not out of necessity. Boaz could have easily dismissed Ruth. She was a widow and a foreigner in the land. He would have been well within his cultural norms to cast her aside. Instead, they eventually get married, and have a son named Obed. My fellow Bible geeks will notice that name. Obed is the father of Jesse, who is the father of David. Yes, that David.

The last relationship we see in this book is a relationship of God with Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz. There is not a direct communication with any of them with God. This is also a contrast to the rest of the Biblical books that surround it (For example, Moses talking to God in the Burning Bush).

Instead we see the loving relationship of God as it works through Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz. We see it in their relationships with one another, and the relationships with those around them. It is very similar to the relationships we see with God today.

As I was reading this book, I realized that it was a breath of fresh air in the midst of the destruction and difficult times of the other books. It is a pause to remember that there is goodness abounding. God’s love is endless and spreads to all creation. It is comforting to know that God found favor in an insignificant individual that in those times would have normally been pushed to the margins. God finds so much favor in Ruth, that he includes her in the bloodline that leads to Jesus. Not an Israeli woman of power. A Moabite widow.

A breath of fresh air is what we all need right now. The narrative of the world right now is full of destruction, hate, division and fear. We need to stop and take a breath. We need to fill our lungs with the goodness of God, and remember that we are all God’s chosen people. If God can find favor in Ruth, Naomi and Boaz, surely God can find favor in you. Blessings to you as you journey, and don’t forget that sometimes you just need to stop and take a breath of fresh air.