Monday 3 June 2024

Psalm 90

Background
This week we are focusing on the story of Ruth. She was a Moabite woman who married a Judean man, Mahlon. When he died, Ruth chose to accompany her mother-in-law Naomi (also a widow) to Bethlehem in Judah.

According to verse 1, the story of Ruth is placed at the time of the Judges (c.1380 to 1050 BC). At this time, people were unfaithful to God, which led to failure and oppression. God raised judges to deliver the people, but after being saved they turned away from God again. As we still see today when there is political instability, unfaithfulness and violence, the poor are the ones who suffer most, and migration is still a common response to hardship.

In contrast to the expectations of the time we have this amazing picture of faithfulness in Ruth. Widows were at the bottom of the economic pile, and yet here we see faithfulness and loyalty, which mirrors that of God.

The commitment by Ruth that we see in verse 16 is radical. It goes far beyond what can be expected and is not at all in her own best interests. Pledging yourself to another, knowing that you are aligning yourself with poverty; that you will be an outsider in a foreign country; and accepting a God who appears to have abandoned people is an incredibly humbling and powerful statement of loyalty.

IIn this declaration by Ruth we see a beautiful illustration of what it means for God to be on the side of the poor. Like Ruth, God demonstrates faithfulness and loyalty without seeking a reward. Christians see that supremely in Jesus giving himself up to death on the Cross.

There is also a strong message about power in this story which connects with the teaching of Jesus. Both Ruth and Naomi are supposedly powerless within their culture and situation. Yet Ruth takes the initiative, and through her loving commitment and service becomes powerful. This echoes the way Jesus models power and what he asks of the disciples. A good example is when he washes the disciples' feet at the Last Supper (see John 13) and directs his followers to do the same. In this stunning passage from the Old Testament Ruth's loyalty is an amazing example of how to follow Jesus.

To Ponder:

• Where do you see declarations of loyalty and support for the poor today, similar to the one Ruth made?
• How do you think Jesus expects you to be a servant? What is the equivalent for you of making a declaration like Ruth's, or Jesus washing people's feet?
• Reflect on your own experiences of loyalty and commitment. How do you feel about them? How have you responded?