RPG Adults
THE BLESSING OF THE HOME (9)
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
Ruth 4:11-22
1 Chronicles 16:23-34
“O give thanks unto the LORD;
for he is good;
for his mercy endureth for ever.”
THE BLESSING OF THE HOME (9)
One of the attributes of God is His goodness. One phrase that has become a cliché in many circles today is: “God is good all the time.” Although as one goes through the Book of Ruth and considers the providence of God, the goodness of God becomes clearer and clearer, yet it is here in this section that we find an open declaration from the women of the city to Naomi in this respect. There was interest showed by them at the return of Naomi, and then it was seen again at the birth of a son to Ruth.
“And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD…” (Ruth 4:14). Their message to Naomi was one of thankfulness and gratitude to God. The story of Ruth, until this final scene, had focused on the activity of men. But human activity had been under the umbrella of God’s sovereignty. From Ruth going out to glean, to Naomi instructing her to go to the threshing floor; and from Boaz going out into his fields, to Boaz calling the elders to the city gate. What seemed like random acts now clearly showed the hand that had been hitherto at work, yet unseen. “Blessed be the LORD” was the response of the women when the hand of providence became clear and visible. Whatever efforts and progress men make, whatever joys and results our actions bring, whatever ends and outcomes we achieve, all praise and glory must be to the LORD. The women understood this, and their response was not: “You are fortunate your son married Ruth.” Or: “You are fortunate to have a daughter-in-law like Ruth, and to have a kinsman like Boaz.” Nothing was attributed to the events and people around Naomi, but rather and rightly so, all was attributed directly to the LORD, who was pleased to use the persons and events for His glory. The diligence of Ruth, the goodwill of Boaz, the counsel of Naomi, or any other part played by any other person was to be considered and evaluated under the goodness of God, and was reason for blessing God for His goodness. When the nearest kinsman forfeited his rights, God was still at work. May we too learn to look beyond the men used by God and trust in God’s unending and unfailing goodness to us.
THOUGHT: (Read Jeremiah 9:23-24.)
PRAYER: Forgive me, Father, for my focus on men. Turn my eyes on Jesus.