Essential Skills for the Journey with Jesus

Reading the Bible Well (Pt. 2).

“…Ruth’s world…is a world animated by the kindness of God.”

While working out last week, I listened to the book of Ruth. It was read by David Suchet the British actor who played Hercule Poirot in the Agatha Christie series. He drew me into Ruth’s world and 15 minutes later my mood had changed completely.

I felt calm. Goodness was clear to me. So often this quality of life is obscured by the stories of conflict and injustice. The book of Ruth was a breath of fresh air.

I found the reason for my changed emotions in Ruth’s world. Her story begins with the threat of hunger and death. As the story continues, however, another world emerges beneath these threats. It is a world animated by the kindness of God. The theme is understated and almost hidden throughout the story. But as I read through the four chapters, I found myself practicing an important skill for my journey with Jesus; the ability to seek and find compassion and loyalty at work amid the tears and anxiety of everyday life.

I was reminded that we are not just bystanders in the experience of life. The book of Ruth reveals a choice that we all have. We can continue on the “ordinary” path of the self-interested life. Orpah (1:8-17) and the first kinsman redeemer (4:1-18) follow this well-worn way. They aren’t judged for their decision. But we can also choose to participate in the kindness of God. Like Abraham in Genesis 12:1-4, Ruth leaves her family, ethnic group, and nation out of loyalty to Naomi. She risks ostracism and physical abuse while gleaning in the fields in Israel to provide food for them both. Her nighttime visit on the threshing floor, at Naomi’s urging, could have ruined her reputation. But both Ruth and Boaz take “the road less traveled.” In doing so they become participants in the compassion of God.

Ruth’s story teaches even more. When we participate in God’s kindness to others our lives are caught up in the wider story of God’s compassion for the world. The genealogy at the end of the book shows that her loyalty saved Elimelech’s family line from extinction and gave her a central place in the lineage of King David. Not only this, but, as we will see in the next post, her kindness gave her a place in the family tree of Jesus.

Let the book of Ruth draw you into its story world. It will empower you to perceive the world often hidden but ever available in our everyday lives; a way of life that makesgoodhappen through loyalty and compassion to others.

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