Meat for the Hungry

Sarahbmartin.wordpress.com Ruth 2:4-16 The sun was almost straight overhead when Boaz rode in from Bethlehem to oversee his harvest. He had carefully selected his reapers, knowing each worker by name. As a leader in Bethlehem, Boaz also knew the gleaners. However today, from atop his steed, he spied someone new. “The Lord be with you,” Boaz greeted his workers. “The Lord bless you,” they responded. Making his way to his servant in charge, he dismounted and asked, “Who’s the new gleaner?”

“So Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, "Please let me go to the field, and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight I may find favor…” (Ruth 2:2) What little resources Naomi and Ruth may have brought from Moab had now dwindled to the point of desperation. Since a Moabite and an elderly woman have very little options to earn a living, Ruth decided it was time to try gleaning. Although Naomi wanted to protect her young daughter-in-law from the harsh realities of life, she knew she could not. There were dangers for women gleaners. Working in the extremely hot sun could cause sunstroke, dehydration and exhaustion. Many times, gleaners faced ridicule. However, in Ruth’s case, being a Moabite could also spawn mistreatment and abuse. 

“And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.” (Ruth 2:1 KJV) Boaz, whose name means in him is strength, was a kinsman or relative of Elimelech, connected by blood, marriage, or origin. However, in describing Boaz, God uses the Hebrew word chayil, pronounced khah’yil and translated wealth. Strong’s gives the probable definition of chayil as a force, whether of men, means, or other resources and the King James Version portrays Boaz as a mighty man of wealth. This indicates Boaz had not only money, but power and great respect in Bethlehem.

In relationships, when there is a rift and reconciliation has occurred, isn’t there a lifting of your spirit, joy in your heart, and an overall good feeling? This was the resident attitude of Bethlehem in Ruth 1:19-22. Because they repented, Bethlehemites were now harvesting barley. Jehovah-jireh, the Lord our Provider, had forgiven their transgressions, sent rain and caused their crops to grow. It was a joyous time of hard work; work Bethlehem had not had in much too long. Into this place and mindset, Naomi and Ruth stepped.

Ruth 1:19-22: It was April and the beginning of barley harvest when Naomi, with Ruth, returned to Bethlehem.  The whole city was excited. They hadn’t seen Naomi in years and the women of Bethlehem almost didn’t recognize her. So, they asked, “Is this Naomi?” Over time, everyone changes, but Naomi’s grief had greatly altered her countenance. Her face did not express the pleasant, delightful and lovely person she was when she left.  Quickly Naomi retorted, “…Do not call me Naomi, call me Mara [meaning bitterness], for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?”

With hearts entwined by love and sorrow, three women embark on a journey. The first, Naomi, an Israelite widow living in the pagan country of Moab, knows and loves YHWH, the Lord God of Israel. Grieving the loss of her husband and now also her only two sons, she decides to return home to Bethlehem, Judah. Captivated by the goodness and love of Israel’s God visible in Naomi, our second woman, Ruth, desires to know Him. This young Moabite widow, even when faced with certain adversity, chooses to forsake her life in Moab and live by Israel’s Law. The third, Orpah, also a young Moabite widow, loves Naomi. Orpah begins the journey to Bethlehem, but keeps looking back. The relationships and memories of happier times tear at her heart. Although she will miss Naomi and Ruth, Orpah just can’t leave Moab. Heartbroken, she returns home.

Another  C h r i s t m a s  season is upon us and at least for northeastern Ohio, our weather has done its best to cooperate. With a snowy wonderland outside, my home has a different feeling. I can’t explain it, but there’s an unusual quiet and calmness not present at any other time. Peering through the window at the deep snow stirs within me a momentary vision:  A cold winter night, a crackling fire, steaming hot cocoa and no other light except that of my twinkling  C h r i s t m a s  tree. Then in a flash, my dream is gone, because  C h r i s t m a s  is full of necessary activity.  Shopping, cleaning, baking, wrapping presents and holiday parties are all a part of the excitement of  C h r i s t m a s  and what makes this season fun.