February 16...

Ruth 1; Leviticus 19:9-10; and Ruth 2

You could actually skip the Leviticus reading, but, it's only two verses and it will make sense as you read the story. So, go for it...

Coincidences? Or God’s plan? Famine. Early deaths. Spies protecting a foreign prostitute. I know that one is not from today’s reading (it is all the way back in Joshua 2), but it is all connected!

Matthew chapter 1 gives the genealogy (or family tree) of Jesus. There are three women mention by name. One is obviously Mary. The other two?

First, “Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab.” Really! One of the women listed in Jesus’ family tree is Boaz’s mom, Rahab – the prostitute that was saved in Jericho. God went out of His way to bring Rahab into Jesus’ family tree. Rahab is a great example of a person who through faith became a completely new person.

Second, “Boaz was the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth.” A lot of things had to happen for Ruth to end up in this family tree…

A famine strikes and Elimelech leaves the Promised Land with his family to go to Moab – the land of those who are physically related to God, but don’t have a spiritual relationship with Him. Elimelech dies and his wife Naomi is left with 2 sons who marry Moabite women. ENTER RUTH. Now Ruth is not yet in Jesus’ family tree – still much has to happen.

Both of Naomi’s sons die early and leave Naomi with two Moabite daughters-in-law. You know the story – Ruth returns home with Naomi and adopts her culture and her god.

Next, Boaz enters in to the picture. We know he is a kind and generous man who is obedient to God because in a time of disobedience, Boaz is still honoring a the command from Leviticus 19:9-10 to leave some of the harvest for the poor. And because he is obedient to God, he meets Ruth.

The stage is set for Ruth to be placed in the line of King David and Jesus … we will read more tomorrow.

But for today – think about it:
Why did God work so hard to bring two non-Israelite women into Jesus’ heritage?

Naomi said that the Almighty had brought her misfortune? Do you believe this statement is true?

Was it all about Naomi? Or was there a bigger picture that included the salvation of many others including some outside of the Israelites?

Today, when things go wrong, do you believe God is punishing you? Is He? Is it all about you – or could there be a bigger picture for the salvation of many others including some who don’t know Jesus yet.


on a social level - think about it:
what is God's idea for social security?
who is supposed to take care of the poor?
who is supposed to take care of the old mother in law?
what was God thinking? how will these poor and old people be take care of?
government program?
families?
could that work today? why don't we do it?