Threshing Floor

Devotions on Ruth 4:1-22

Monday–Threshing Floor

“No sooner had Boaz gone up to the gate and set down there than the next of kin … came passing by” (Ruth 4:1).

Sickness and death were experienced more often at younger ages three thousand years ago, when the story of Ruth took place. Often a man would die without any offspring. There was no one to carry on his name or remember him. At the time, a brother, or in the story of Ruth, the next of kin would marry the decease’s wife and ensure that the family line continued. Boaz, as next of kin, played an important role.

More recently, some two thousand years ago, another family member took on the role of “redeemer.” The redeemer was the responsible older brother who made things right. If a family member owed a debt, the redeemer would make sure that it was paid. If relationships were strained or broken, the redeemer would seek to reconcile them. Jesus, the redeemer, made things right between God and humankind.

Like Boaz and Jesus we have a role—not only as a member of our immediate family, but also in our extended families of congregations and communities. We may be peacemakers, counselors, confidants, teachers, mentors or a host of other positions. Our roles are specific and have the ability to touch and transform lives, as God’s love, grace, and forgiveness is shared and experienced.

Holy Spirit, guide us in our roles so that your will is accomplished in our lives and in our communities. Amen.

Tuesday–Threshing Floor

“Naomi … is selling a parcel of land” (Ruth 4:3).

 Chester Simms was a successful businessman. His success was based, in part, on his focus on getting the most out of every transaction. He would always ask himself, “What’s in it for me?” Carlota worked long hours with the hope that it would help her to climb the corporate ladder. Tamar tutored a few members of the football team because he knew it would keep them from bullying him in school. A majority of our actions are motivated by the fact that we will benefit from them.

This was certainly the case with the nameless “next of kin.” He was willing to increase his personal wealth with the purchase of Naomi’s parcel of land (probably at a bargain price). He only wanted to do what would be advantageous for him. Wasting his time on something that would not benefit him was not something in which he was interested.

As followers of Jesus, we are frequently called to act in ways that are not “normal.” The Lord provides us with opportunities to help people who can never pay us back. There are also times when standing up for the disenfranchised and those who have suffered injustice may be detrimental to us personally. We do this because our motivation is different than the “normal.” Our goal is not to better our lot in life, but rather to be obedient to the leading of the Spirit and to share God’s love and grace.

Help us not to think so much of ourselves, Lord, but rather of others. Amen.

Wednesday–Threshing Floor

“The day you acquire the field … you are also acquiring Ruth” (Ruth 4:5).

Though God knew what God was getting into when we became Children of God, God’s hands were certainly full. God has been with us through the mountain tops and deep ravines of our lives. When we wandered and lost our way, God was by our sides. The Lord has comforted in our times of grief, encouraged us in facing our challenges, and given us a swift kick in the seat of our pants when we need to be properly motivated. We have been recipients of God’s steadfast love.

The nameless next of kin couldn’t take a chance. Caring for Ruth—and Naomi—might be too costly. He passed up the chance and elected out of God’s plan.

We love because God first loved us. We are emboldened and empowered to take a chance in loving others because that is exactly what God has done with us. Relationships are worth the chance. Sharing God’s love and grace is worth taking a risk. Reflecting God’s glory is worth stepping out in faith.

Lord, may we not count the cost. Instead may we simply, boldly, lovingly take advantages of the opportunities to love that you place before us. Amen.

Thursday–Threshing Floor

“I have also acquired Ruth the Moabite, the wife of Mahlon to be my wife” (Ruth 4:10a).

Boaz’s friends were probably shocked by Boaz’s announcement that he was taking Ruth as his wife. They would have also advised against it. This was a mixed marriage—something that was frowned upon by Israelite society. The Moabites were also enemies of the Israelites. Skirmishes and border raids were common, even though war had not been declared—talk about sleeping with the enemy! Of course there was also the age difference not to mention the economic and social class difference. Still, Boaz took Ruth to be his wife.

Martin Luther believed that Ruth’s inclusion as an ancestor of King David and Jesus was intentional on God’s part. The Lord wanted to emphasize the truth that both Jews and Gentiles were included in God’s saving work and all could claim to be God’s children.

No matter how we identify ourselves (race, nationality, sexual orientation) God has claimed us as God’s own and gathered us into God’s family. As we survey the people around us and live out this truth, we are invited to view them as Boaz did. When he saw Ruth, he did not see a Moabite or an enemy. Instead he saw a person whom he loved and whom God loved, too.

Lord, open our eyes and give us sight, that we may see as you see. Amen.

Friday–Threshing Floor

“In order that the name of the dead may not be cut off from the kindred and from the gate of his native place” (Ruth 4:10b).

 Memories are some of the most precious gifts that we have. Long after an experience has passed, we can relive it through our memories. When loved ones die, they continue to live with us through our memories. Memories can be avenues of love, joy, comfort, encouragement and hope. They add a richness to our lives.

By acting as next of kin, Boaz was extending memories. The names of Elimelech and Mahlon would not be forgotten. The children of Boaz and Ruth would be links to both the past and the future. Boaz and Ruth would also become names in the genealogy of David and of Jesus—a list of memories of God’s interaction with humankind and stories of God’s love and grace throughout the ages.

The Holy Spirit has moved through the lives of others to provide us with memories of God’s presence and work in our lives. We are able to remember times when we experienced God’s steadfast love, abundant blessings and unconditional forgiveness. We live each day both with these memories and also with the understanding that the Holy Spirit is moving through our lives to create memories of God’s love and grace in the lives of others.

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of memories. May they be rich blessings in our lives and in the lives of others. Amen.

Saturday–Threshing Floor

“May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your house like Rachel and Leah, who together built the house of Israel” (Ruth 4:11).

Though well qualified, Manuela wondered if she would be able to take the place of the beloved math teacher, Mr. Franks, and teach his classes. He would be out for several weeks recovering from a near fatal heart attack and subsequent by-pass surgery. Manuela hoped she’d be as able as Mr. Franks was at teach the complex mathematical theorems and equations. Binh had many of the same feelings of inadequacy as Manuela. He was taking Cathy’s place in his congregation’s work at the homeless shelter. Binh wondered if he’d be able to relate to the homeless and if he’d be a benefit to the ministry in any way.

Questions about our ability and thoughts that we may not be able to accomplish the tasks before us are common, as we step out of our comfort zones and begin something new. Certainly, even Ruth had such thoughts as she contemplated the life ahead. She was well aware that she was an outsider, a widow and a servant. Yet God used Ruth in a way beyond her imagination. Not only did she become a good wife to Boaz and bear him a son, Obed. She also became the great grandmother of King David, and an ancestor of Jesus the Christ.

Along with the questions and the uncomfortable feelings, we bring hope with us as we step into the day and into the future. We hope that God will use us in ways far beyond our expectations or our imaginations. No matter how God uses us, though, we move forward with the assurance that we will be conduits of the Spirit’s power to accomplish God’s purposes. The day and the future await.

Here we are, Lord. Use us to make a difference and to accomplish your will today. Amen.

Sunday–Threshing Floor

“He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age” (Ruth 4:15).

Ask any grandparent and they will tell you that grandkids are great. It’s a lot easier and more fun being a grandparent than it is being a parent. Grandparents are able to spoil their grandchildren and when they get a dirty diaper or start to scream, the grandparents can hand the children back to their parents. Grandkids bring new life to their grandparents and truly nourish their old age. Naomi knew this to be true when she picked up her grandson and hugged him to her breast.

These prophetic words, however, refer to more than little Obed. The role of being a restorer of life would be realized again in the reign of King David and eventually in the life and ministry of Jesus. Through Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, we have been restored to new life. Paul writes in Romans 6 that, “We have been buried with Christ by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life” (vs. 4). New life is a gift that we can experience and enjoy today.

Lord, you breathed life into Adam. So breathe new life in to our lives. Amen.