“Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, I need to seek some security for you, so that it may be well with you. ² Now here is our kinsman Boaz, with whose young women you have been working. See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. ³ Now wash and anoint yourself, and put on your best clothes and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. ⁴ When he lies down, observe the place where he lies; then, go and uncover his feet and lie down; and he will tell you what to do.” ⁵ She said to her, “All that you tell me I will do.” ⁶ So she went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law had instructed her. ⁷ When Boaz had eaten and drunk, and he was in a contented mood, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. Then she came stealthily and uncovered his feet, and lay down.” Ruth 3:1-7

Being married requires a lot of work – but should also have its moments of rest and relaxation, as much as it can anyway. Therefore, marriage should be engaged in with great seriousness, with earnest prayers for direction, for the blessing of G-d, and with regard to G-d’s will. Parents should carefully advise their children in this important concern, yet I wonder what parents are teaching their children today. The course Naomi advised appears strange to us; but it was according to the laws of Israel. The laws and customs of their time gave Ruth, who was now a proselyte to the “true” religion, a legal claim upon Boaz. Today, not enough young couples are choosing to marry – thus complicating the rule of law when it comes to the marriage estate.

Where is the state of marriage going in our society?   How do women or men seek to lay “claim” on someone today?  How do the laws of our society or the expectations of our society help or hinder marriage?  Do people claim such loyalty on relationships as did Ruth and Naomi?

Pastor Dave

“Now during those days he went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God. ¹³ And when day came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles: ¹⁴ Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, and James, and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, ¹⁵ and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Simon, who was called the Zealot, ¹⁶ and Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.” Luke 6:12-16

We often think that spending one hour in worship and in prayer, praise and thanksgiving at church is truly a great feat. But when we consider that Christ often spent whole nights engaged in these same practices, well, it makes us rethink what it means to worship, Amen? In serving G-d, our concern should be not “How long will this take?” but “How can I make the best of the time that G-d has given to me?”

The twelve apostles are named in this text, and never were a group of people so privileged, yet have come from such a varied and rich lack of experience for what they have been called. We will learn that one of them had the devil in him, and will prove to be a traitor. Others will come long distances to hear Jesus – and they will learn that it is indeed worth their while to hear the word of Christ. Others will come to be cured by him, and be healed by him. All who encounter Jesus will learn that there is a fullness of grace in Christ, including His love mercy and grace that is enough for all. 

We continue that calling – to follow Christ.

Pastor Dave