One of the greatest love stories of all time

Let's say that you made your living as farmer and a horrible draught had swept across the land, causing you to close shop and move to another town.  What do you feel your initial thoughts would be regarding this news?

I have been re-visiting the story of Ruth lately. Naomi and Ruth, WOW what an incredible duo of women! If you have time, I urge you to read the story for yourselves. It is in the Old Testament of the Bible.

As with all of the Lord's perfectly painted stories, this one will not let you down in the way of teaching you valuable life lessons and insights. A story of pain, hope and deliverance and mostly love.

In the beginning scene we learn that there was a famine in Bethlehem where Naomi is from. It is for this reason that  she, her husband Elimilech and their two sons embark on a journey to Moab. In that time Moabites were known to worship a God they named chemosh. A blood thirsty God who required human sacrifice. It is surprising to think that there was not another place for them to travel to in their time of need; however it is quite obvious that God used the situation of the drought to usher them to the place, that He had prepared for them at that specific moment in time. A place on the way to greatness. A stepping stone in life. Not the end of the journey but a stop along the way. They took up residence there and it does not say how long after they arrived that Elimilech had died. Wow, can you imagine being driven from your homeland, and then losing your husband on top of that?!  Next, she loses not one but both of her sons!  This is where Ruth steps onto the canvas in the story of our Savior. She was married to Mahlon, one of Naomi's two sons. You can surely see, these women had known much pain in their lives up to this point. Naomi was still living with both of her daughter- in- laws when she heard that the famine was over in Bethlehem. Knowing that she was of old in age, and unable to provide a husband for her daughters, she bid them to please stay in Moab where there true families were and find another man so that they could know the pleasure of having a family of their own. Orpah wanted to go with Naomi but then decided to stay in Moab. Ruth clung to Naomi despite her blessing for her to find a new husband. Nothing was going to stop her from going to Bethlehem with Naomi. She even went as far as denouncing her childhood deity of  chemosh and calling Jehovah her God! Where you go, I will go and your God will be my God, and your people my people. Have you ever had someone that was not only willing to share your pain, but to really and truly bear your burden with you? As far as a pair of natural eyes could see, walking with Naomi meant that she was basically to become the care giver of this women in the place of a husband. On top of that, it also meant the possibility of children was out. For a young lady to make a decision like this, only one thing could compel her to do so..... LOVE..  Naomi was so bitter before they arrive in her hometown, she had asked that Ruth call her Mara, (meaning bitter water) feeling as if the Lord's hand was against her.

When they arrived, it was the beginning of the Barley Harvest. It is then that Ruth declares that she will glean in the field of the one whom she will find favor with the owner. Mind you she did not have a plan in front of her, or know what field she would end up in; however in the midst of such a seemingly rotten set of past circumstances, she still used her will to express blessings onto the situation. Hope was not lost. That is Faith my friends!

It says that her hap was to light on the portion of the field belonging to Boaz. In English, or I suppose I should say Anglo Saxton, it means... Hap (a Saxon word for "luck, chance").  In other words, God's blessings.  The question is why does it say it was a blessing? Well, let me tell you! It turns out that Boaz is a brother of Naomi's late husband and very wealthy. This made him what they called a Kinsman. This is someone who is able to marry their brother's widow in order to protect the family line. However, Boaz had an older brother (nearer kinsman) who was entitled to redeem before his younger brother if he chose to.

Ruth unaware of this worked every day from sun up to sun down taking little breaks and winning the hearts of those around her with her kind loving nature, including the heart of Boaz. True to what Ruth had declared earlier (as a man believes so is he), Boaz had taken notice of her and had begun to show her great favor. One night when Ruth had brought home enough wheat that Naomi must have known it was more than she could have gleaned in a day, Naomi asked her what field have you been gleaning and she blessed the man that would show her such favor. When Ruth revealed to her the place, Naomi cried, " blessed be Jehovah who has not left off His kindness to the living and to the dead"! That man is kin to us!!

She then thoroughly explained to Ruth how to go about making Boaz realize who Ruth and how to ask that he redeem her. It was a strange ritual really but in the end Boaz would have had a chance to fully take advantage of Ruth in the wee hours of the night but he was a total gentleman and very protective of her honor. He agreed that he should redeem her but had to make sure that it was ok by his older brother. When Ruth came home to tell Naomi how it went, Naomi said something that all women need to hear. She said sit still for the man will not rest until he has finished this thing this day. Hear that ladies? A man with true intentions towards you and commitment to you will not rest until he finds a way to win your heart.
The only thing standing between Boaz and Ruth was his being second to his brother in the redeeming order. Boaz went up to the gate that he knew his brother would come to that same day. It doesn't say how long he waited there but the fact that he was willing to sit and wait is a shocking thought in today's day and age especially. His brother (name unmentioned), happened by as he thought he would and he began to plead his case for Ruth. Boaz explained to him that he could redeem the land that Naomi was selling because she was the wife of their brother. Initially he agrees to do it. Can you imagine the pit that Boaz, Ruth and Naomi must have had in their stomachs upon hearing those words, I will redeem it!?  Boaz however did not stop there. He reminded his brother that the day he was to buy the field of Naomi, he would also have to buy it from Ruth in order to raise up the name of the dead on his inheritance. How quickly this changed his brother's mind! One woman, was costly enough but two, oh it just wasn't worth it.. to him anyway. He said, "I cannot redeem it or I will mar my own inheritance". Buy it for yourself if you wish. You bet he did! You see Boaz knew what a treasure that he was getting with Ruth and he was willing to also be the provider for Naomi. When is the last time someone went the extra mile for you? How treasured she must have felt!

The story ends with baby Obed laying in the bosom of Naomi.  A woman that not so long before wept bitterly having no hope. Oh wait just another small detail! Obed later became the Father of Jesse who was the Father of none other than King David.

If you had asked someone earlier in the story including Ruth, do you think God will create in your womb, a Father of the future generations of  Kings? I am certain she would have raised a brow.

WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE AND EVERYONE IS EQUALLY TREASURED WARTS AND ALL..

I had asked at the beginning of the story, how you would feel if you had to leave your hometown due to seemingly bad circumstances?  Perhaps this story has given you a different perspective. God can use any situation and it seems to me it is usually the worst of times, that turn a happy ending into a joyous one.

-Selah-