Ruth had no standing as Moabitess; in fact, Moabites were excluded from the assembly of Jews by law. Her position as a foreigner made her situation even more precarious. Still, Ruth exhibited humility, working and providing for Naomi. She was not too proud to do a difficult day’s work gleaning the barley fields of the fallen grain from the ground. She then took this hard-earned provision home to Naomi.
Exacerbating her financial and emotional problems was the fact that Ruth was vulnerable and unprotected as a foreigner. She appeared helpless, but God protected and defended her through Boaz..... Ruth was brave beyond measure, moving past her pain and loss to build relationships in her enemies’ land. She sacrificed and remained faithful. God caused her obedience to multiply ,and God gave her a greater harvest and redemption. While Ruth worked, the fieldhands dropped grain on purpose. God made the provision for her thorugh someone else. Difficult step after difficult step, God leads us. “How precious is your unfailing love? All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of you wings” (Psalm 36:7) - that includes the widow, the orphan, and the foreigner- all the classes that Ruth represented.
Many people imagine themselves leading, but not serving. Jesus said he who would be a leader must be the servant of all (Matthew 23:11-12). Before returning to Texas, I taught at the top rank private college in the country. I needed to lower my self-estimation. God promises to give grace to the humble (James 4:6, 10); yet, He opposes the proud but favors the humble (1 Peter 5: 5-6). By teaching at a public school, I learned humility. I can know see my service as a gift, not a burden.
Jesus humbled himself looking past the shame of the cross to the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2). As I examine how God changed me, I realize that He lifted me from the morass of pride. God works his character in us through trials. Before teaching public high school, I was seeking my own kingdom. I was set up to publish both my dissertation and my poetry. Eventually, I counted like Paul, all this as so much rubbish for the surpassing knowledge of knowing Christ.
We feel if we obey, if we go past our walled cities, God must do this or that. Being patient with the fulfillment of a promise can be as hard as the labor itself. Ruth humbled herself by lying at Boaz’s feet. Humility and vulnerability are not the easiest things in the world. Waiting on someone else’s response, especially if that person is in sin, is difficult. We can get stuck looking at the person, instead of God. We can become angry. Obedience to God feels like a risk. Surrender of our walls is scary, but freeing (Matthew 10:39). Jesus reminds us, ‘If you cling to your life, you will lose. If you lose it, you will gain it.” Lord, help me to rest under your wings even if it takes a long time to complete your purposes toward me.
Signing off,
M.J.
P.S.Philippians 2: 3-1 encourages us, “Don’t be selfish. Don’t try to impress others. Be Humble. Thinking of others as better than youself. “
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