Verse of the Day 1/14

Through the Bible - Leviticus 16-18, Matthew 28

 

Good morning,

Happy Valentine's Day.

For today's verse we will go to the book of Ruth to what may seem to be a couple of "obscure" verses for Valentines Day because the word love is not even mentioned in the verses.  Love, is written all over this little book, not in direct words but borne out in the devotion of Ruth to Naomi, the obedience of Ruth, the heart of Boaz to act as the "kinsman redeemer", and the testimony of Boaz and Ruth as evidenced in the reaction of the people to their "love story".

 

Ruth 4:11 Then the elders and all the people standing in the gate replied, "We are witnesses! May the Lord make this woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, from whom all the nation of Israel descended! May you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. 12 And may the Lord give you descendants by this young woman who will be like those of our ancestor Perez, the son of Tamar and Judah."  NLT

 

In a short summary, Ruth was Naomi's daughter in law, both of them had lost their husbands.  Ruth had been freed to start up a new life on her own at the urging of Naomi.  Ruth would not leave her.  In a time of famine they travelled back to Israel, Naomi's homeland.  Through chance and random instances (do you think) Ruth stumbles upon the field of a relative of Naomi, Boaz.  Ruth and Boaz fall in love, but instead of taking matters into their own hands submit to the customs of the day, which meant that a closer relative would have to be offered the responsibility of being the kinsman redeemer.  When he saw the "baggage involved" he declined.  Boaz and Ruth were married and because they had acted honorably received the blessing of the elders and "all the people" as stated in today's verses.

 

There is so much here in the book of Ruth that I can hardly begin to delve into it, but I'll touch on a few things.  Naomi was an Israelite who had left the homeland and had now returned.  The story takes place in Bethlehem, Ephrathah with past and future historical significance.  But of most significance was that King David and ultimately Jesus, the Messiah came through this lineage.

"Today in the Word" from Moody Bible Institute had this to say about it in their devotional for today:

'Boaz and Ruth's love for each other affected generations in both directions—Naomi received honor beyond measure with a new grandson and a restoration of family. The generations to come received a king in David, and the world was given the King of Kings in his descendant, Jesus Christ. In those days when everyone did as they saw fit (1:1; Judge. 21:25), at least one family loved and obeyed faithfully."
"Not everything done "in the name of love" is automatically justifiable, even on Valentine's Day. If you want to show meaningful love to someone today, do so within God's guidelines. You could show love to a superior in the form of respect and compliant service. You could show love to coworkers by refraining from inappropriate flirtation. You could love someone who is suffering by praying for them and writing a note of encouragement. It might not be the stuff greeting cards are made of, but obedience honors God! "

Greeting cards are fine, but along with that, try showing love today "within" and "according to" God's guidelines today.  It just may have an affect on generations.

 

2 John 6 Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning.  NLT

to see the Today in the Word devotional in it's entirety, go to www.todayintheword.com

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
More tools available at: http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV
Ruth 4:9-22

 

9 Then Boaz said to the elders and to the crowd standing around, "You are witnesses that today I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelech, Kilion, and Mahlon. 10 And with the land I have acquired Ruth, the Moabite widow of Mahlon, to be my wife. This way she can have a son to carry on the family name of her dead husband and to inherit the family property here in his hometown. You are all witnesses today."

 

11 Then the elders and all the people standing in the gate replied, "We are witnesses! May the Lord make this woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, from whom all the nation of Israel descended! May you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. 12 And may the Lord give you descendants by this young woman who will be like those of our ancestor Perez, the son of Tamar and Judah."

 

The Descendants of Boaz

 

13 So Boaz took Ruth into his home, and she became his wife. When he slept with her, the Lord enabled her to become pregnant, and she gave birth to a son. 14 Then the women of the town said to Naomi, "Praise the Lord, who has now provided a redeemer for your family! May this child be famous in Israel. 15 May he restore your youth and care for you in your old age. For he is the son of your daughter-in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons!"

 

16 Naomi took the baby and cuddled him to her breast. And she cared for him as if he were her own. 17 The neighbor women said, "Now at last Naomi has a son again!" And they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David.

 

18 This is the genealogical record of their ancestor Perez:

 

Perez was the father of Hezron.
19 Hezron was the father of Ram.
Ram was the father of Amminadab.
20 Amminadab was the father of Nahshon.
Nahshon was the father of Salmon.
21 Salmon was the father of Boaz.
Boaz was the father of Obed.
22 Obed was the father of Jesse.
Jesse was the father of David.