“Covenant love”
Ruth 1:12-17 (June 23, 2024)
I want to begin by saying “thanks” for the invitation to share this service with you today. A number of our First Mennonite folk live here at Bethany Manor, and our congregation has a long-standing relationship with this place.
It’s good to be together, in the presence of God. And good to hear the stories of our faith. Including the one for today, which centres on three main characters: Naomi, Ruth and Boaz.
I’m told the theme for this month is “Weddings, couples and marriages in the Bible.” It’s true that many people get married in the month of June. Maybe some of you will be celebrating an anniversary.
But we also need to say that marriage is not for all people. Some of us have never been married. Others were married, but may not be now. Sadly, spouses die. Or relationships come apart. Life can be difficult.
There is a marriage in our story for this morning. But the message of the book of Ruth is much bigger than that. It speaks to a universal human need for companionship, love and caring – which can appear in many forms, as we shall see.
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This story begins by showing us people who look after each other through a dark and difficult time in their lives. Naomi’s husband died. Then, tragically, her two sons die as well! That leaves her, and two daughters-in-law, grief-stricken and vulnerable.
“You girls should go back to your own families,” Naomi suggests. “Don’t worry about me.” She wants the very best for them. But they resist. “We’d rather stay with you!” they say. We can see there’s a warm and loving bond between them.
One of those daughters-in-law, Ruth, refuses to turn back. Scripture says she “clung” to Naomi. She clung to her.
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Did I mention that love takes many forms? Ruth clings to Naomi and will not let her go!
Is there someone in your life who clings to you? A friend or companion, another person by your side? Someone who will never leave you? And always wants the best for you?
We are made to live in loving relationship with each other. The stronger these relationships are, the healthier we will be.
Who clings to you – even with your faults and foibles? Is it a spouse? A member of your family? A friend or neighbour? Who can you depend on?
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Listen to these beautiful words Ruth gives to her mother-in-law, Naomi:
“Do not press me to leave you, or to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” (Ruth 1:16)
Our story highlights the love these two women have for one another! This love that transcends generations: It brings together an older person – Naomi; and a younger one – Ruth. It brings together people of different nationalities: Naomi was an Israelite. Ruth was from the land of Moab. Which, by the way, was enemy territory.
But love – the kind of love that God gives – crosses boundaries, turning enemies into friends.
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This relationship speaks volumes about the character of these two women – who managed to put aside whatever differences they may have had, to care genuinely for each other.
Challenges in life can test a person’s character. When we find ourselves in a difficult place, we discover what’s valuable in our relationship.
Someone once said, “After all, a crisis doesn’t make a person, it reveals what a person is made of.”[1] Do you think that could be true?
When things get hard – love, friendship and beauty can still flourish! We don’t want bad things to happen. But when they do, it can bring out the very best – in us and others: generosity, patience, commitment, endurance.
God’s love enables us to be more forgiving, more caring. It inspires us to always want the best for another, no matter what.
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We’ve been talking about these two women. But now it’s time for us to meet the man in the story.
Boaz was a relative of Naomi’s husband. When she returns to Israel with Ruth, Boaz sits up and takes notice. He sees the kindness and loyalty Ruth has shown toward Naomi. Who would expect that from a Moabite? But there it was, and it was beautiful! Loving and caring for others always makes us more beautiful!
Boaz himself is a pretty decent man. There’s a joke someone shared with me a few days ago. Perhaps you’ve heard it. But before I tell it again, I need to break the suspense of this story and let you know that Ruth and Boaz will eventually get married. We’re finally going to have a wedding!
Do you know who Boaz was before that happens? Get ready for this. Here it comes! The answer is, Boaz was “ruthless.” (Ruth-less!)
In actual fact, nothing could be further from the truth! Boaz was a lovely man. When he sees Ruth gleaning in the fields, following the harvesters, gathering up whatever remains, he tells his workers to be generous toward her. “Leave her some extra!”
He watches out for Ruth and protects her. He even sits down and shares his lunch with her.
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And that’s where, I think, romance begins. Boaz is a perfect gentleman. He makes Ruth feel cared for and safe. Boaz sees something in Ruth. And she sees something in him.
The beauty of these characters is more than skin deep. And therefore more attractive for that very reason. These are not self-centred people. Their lives bear what we would call the “fruit of the Spirit” – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, self-control.
From our standpoint, 3,000 years later, we would say they are Christ-like. And that makes their humanity shine! Here are two people living the way God made us to be.
Here is human flourishing. Even when life is hard and lonely and insecure. Love draws them all together, and helps them find a way through.
Are you going through a difficult time? Do not hesitate to draw strength from your companions. Accept their generosity. Let others support you. Let love embrace you.
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I told you this love comes to us as a gift from God. As we think about “Weddings, couples and marriage in the Bible,” we can say that romance is a lovely thing. But the romance between Ruth and Boaz is rooted in something deeper.
Scripture uses the Hebrew word “hesed,” which can be translated as steadfast love. Or covenant love. It describes the love God has for God’s people.
Hesed means loyalty. God sticks with us even when we try to go our own separate way. Just like Ruth clung to Naomi. When difficulties arise, God does not turn away. Just like Ruth did not turn away.
God’s love is steadfast and sure. We can depend on it. God’s love will never let us go! God’s love is beautiful and life giving and good.
And it can be part of our lives too! When we open ourselves more fully to our loving Creator, and allow God’s Spirit to shape us in the way of Jesus – then we are participating in God’s covenant love.
Naomi, Ruth and Boaz found great blessing as they shared each other’s lives, allowing God’s love to guide them. And, whether we are married or not, we can too!
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Ruth and Boaz did get married. And together they had a son. As our story draws to a close, we’re told their son became the grandparent of great King David. A Moabite woman is the ancestor of an Israelite king! Who’d have thought?
You know what else? The Gospel of Matthew names Ruth as an ancestor of Jesus. God’s love at work in our lives bears good fruit that blesses for generations!
This morning I pray that God’s love would be at work in you, forming who you are, building character, and enabling you to live in loving relationship with others.
God’s love grows in many different ways. May it be so for all of us! Amen.
[1] Warren Wiersbe, https://quotefancy.com/warren-w-wiersbe-quotes, Accessed June 21, 2024.