Thoughts from Ruth

The book of Ruth has got to be up there with some of the most random of biblical stories but also with the most beautiful. Its almost like wearing a veil - less obvious but also instantly more attractive and intriguing. I found myself reading Ruth straight through a number of times recently and was drawn in to this story of a family that goes through so much and eventually finds security.

It struck me that God works in the situation that Ruth and Naomi find themselves in through two avenues; the circumstances surrounding them and the character which they and Boaz display. The famine in Israel drives Naomi and her family to Moab where her sons find wives, Ruth and Orpah. After the death of her husband and two sons it takes the promise of food to make Naomi decide to head back to Israel and Ruth follows in a beautiful pledge of allegiance. Their shame on returning home alone is obvious but God works through the faithfulness of Ruth, the integrity and goodness of Boaz and the pragmatism and savvy of Naomi to secure Ruth a husband and the posterity of the family line.

What appears initially to be a simple family story reveals some really amazing stuff about God; he reveals himself through the comings and goings of our lives. Ruth displays God's faithfulness in her commitment to Naomi and Boaz enacts the role of redeemer for Ruth giving us a hint of God's plans. God turns randomness into purpose, he tells his story through the little stories of our lives and through the circumstances he places us in and the character he is developing in us we are a testament to his nature and kingdom purpose in the world.