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Winter Quarter 2023-2024: Faith That Pleases God
Unit 1: Profiles In Faith
Sunday School Lesson for the week of December 3, 2023
By Jay Harris
Lesson Scripture: Ruth 1:6-18, 22
Key Verse: But Ruth said, “Do not press me to leave you, 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)
Lesson Aims
- To introduce the Winter Quarter Theme (Faith That Pleases God)
- To introduce the setting and context for the story that follows in the Book of Ruth
- To explore the decisions faced by Naomi, Orpah, and Ruth as they began their journey
- To understand Ruth’s decision in light of her loving kindness toward Naomi
- To reflect on the faith it took to go into an unfamiliar place and live your life in pursuit of your goal
- To take in all that was involved for Ruth to go wherever Naomi went in life
- To see how the story works out beyond our scripture lesson
- To ponder the implications of Ruth’s story in terms of what we learn about faith
Introduction to Ruth and the Winter Quarter Theme: Faith That Pleases God
The theme for this Winter Quarter is “Faith That Pleases God.” There is a dual focus in this theme. First, we will be exploring the nature of faith in all of its dimensions and movements. Second, we will be exploring all the ways that we, through our faith, please God. We will learn that, in many ways, faith
is pleasing God, and pleasing God
is faith. Notice that faith in this context is not merely giving mental assent to a certain set of religious propositions. Faith is highly relational. We will want to stay in tune with this relational aspect of faith throughout our study.
Have you reflected on the relational aspect of faith before? In what ways does faith please God?
Our first unit, entitled “Profiles in Faith,” offers a good place to begin. The profile of Ruth is just one of the profiles that we will explore. Ruth’s story is a highly relational story.
The opening verse of the Book of Ruth mentions that this story occurred during the time span when the judges ruled. More specifically, this story took place when there was a famine in the land of Judah, the land of God’s people, forcing a certain family to move from their ancestral home of Bethlehem in Judah. In order to find a food supply that would enable them to survive, Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their two sons went to live in the country of Moab, although it was outside the land of God’s people.
As fate would have it, Elimelech died, ushering Naomi into widowhood in a foreign land, but at least she still had her two sons to take care of her. The two sons soon found wives from the land of Moab. The names of their wives were Orpah and Ruth. Once again, however, fate would step in after living in Moab for ten years. Naomi’s two sons died. Now, she was left with no husband and no sons, which left her in a much more destitute state of widowhood. Naomi, in a very grief-stricken state, was forced to consider her options. She had not only herself to consider, but also her two widowed daughters-in-law.
What do you think it would be like to live in a time where famines meant you had to pull up stakes and migrate to a foreign land? What must it be like when the pain of grief is compounded by a decline in one’s economic security?
The Beginning of the Journey and the Decisions to Be Made
In the first verse of our lesson, we observe the launching of a journey. The beginnings and endings of famines caused migrations of people. Were there others migrating from Moab to Judah along with our main characters as the famine in Judah was coming to an end? If so, every family’s journey would have its own unique character.
6 Then Naomi started to return with her daughters-in-law from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the Lord had considered his people and given them food. 7 So she set out from the place where she had been living, she and her two daughters-in-law, and they went on their way to go back to the land of Judah.
Naomi had heard news from her home country of Judah. She heard that the Lord had considered his people and had responded no doubt to their prayers for ample rains and fertile crops. The Lord had given them food. The famine in Judah was ending.
Hearing this news, Naomi made the decision to leave the land of Moab and return to her home country. This was a wise decision for Naomi because, with no husband and no sons, she found herself in a very precarious situation in terms of her present and future economic welfare. She would fare better living with her own people in Judah.
So, she set out from the country of Moab, where she had been living, to go back to the land of Judah. What is remarkable at this point is that both of her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, were accompanying her. What made sense for Naomi, did not make sense for Orpah and Ruth. They were leaving their families of origin in Moab, which could help support them after being newly widowed. What would make them want to go with Naomi?
They obviously cared for Naomi. Surely, they felt pity for Naomi, but it seems like their love was motivated by more than just pity. We only see Naomi in her grief and despair, but before her losses, it is easy to imagine the familial bonds of love and friendship that had formed between this mother-in law and these daughters-in-law. Naomi, caring for Orpah and Ruth, intended to address the situation.
8 But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back each of you to your mother’s house. May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. 9 The Lord grant that you may find security, each of you in the house of your husband.” Then she kissed them, and they wept aloud.
What Naomi said makes perfect sense. Orpah and Ruth should each go to the house of each one’s own mother and not follow their mother-in-law. She prayed for the Lord to deal with them as kindly as they had dealt with her and with her sons before they died. Naomi also envisioned them easily finding husbands in the land of Moab and prayed for the Lord to grant them security in the houses of each one’s future husband. Then Naomi kissed them as a sign of her love and affection, and as a way of sending them off with her complete blessing and with no need to feel any guilt for going their own way. Yet, Orpah and Ruth wept aloud because they truly loved their mother-in-law.
10 They said to her, “No, we will return with you to your people.” 11 But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters. Why will you go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? 12 Turn back, my daughters, go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. Even if I thought there was hope for me, even if I should have a husband tonight and bear sons, 13 would you then wait until they were grown? Would you then refrain from marrying?
Orpah and Ruth revealed their intention to go with Naomi as she returned to Judah and live with her people. I am sure that the love and affection being expressed toward Naomi was not lost on Naomi. Naomi’s concern, however, was for the future welfare of Orpha and Ruth.
Notice that Naomi has dispensed with the term daughter-in-law and calls them “my daughters.” In various ways, Naomi was trying to convince them that husbands were what they needed for their future welfare. She could not provide them with husbands. She did not want them to miss out on the possibility of remarriage, marital love, and a secure future with husbands.
No, my daughters, it has been far more bitter for me than for you, because the hand of the Lord has turned against me.” 14 Then they wept aloud again. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her.
Naomi admitted that the future was more bitter for herself because Naomi was a widow with no future prospects. The future prospects for Orpah and Ruth were much better in comparison. By saying that the hand of the Lord had turned against her, Naomi was facing her hard reality head on. Notice that she had not cursed or disparaged the Lord. She was stating what felt like for her a cold hard fact. Naomi did not want to draw her daughters-in-law into the wake of her misery.
Have you ever heard someone express in some way their belief that the Lord has turned against them? Would you be able to withhold judgment against them and let them give vent to their emotions and questions? How might that non-judgmental space allow them to work through their grief? How might you engage in the ministry of presence with them? Have you observed people moving from grief and anger to faith and hope? How did observing that process strengthen your faith?
The Journey of Ruth Begins with her Decision
Orpah and Ruth wept aloud again. That is when they each made a different decision. The scripture does not cast judgment on Orpah with regard to her decision. Orpah left Naomi with Naomi’s blessing and Naomi’s prayers to the Lord for her wellbeing. Orpah’s decision made the most sense. It is what most women in her situation would have done. It was Ruth continuing to cling to Naomi that did not make sense. Naomi tried once more to persuade Ruth.
15 So Naomi said, “Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.”
Naomi must have thought, at first, that Ruth was caught up in the emotions of the moment. After all, the experience of taking leave of someone whom you love can be like tearing away a part of yourself. Surely, Ruth was not thinking clearly in Naomi’s way of thinking. Naomi pointed out how Orpah was already on her way to the only life that made sense—a life with her people, and with her gods. Ruth could follow Orpah and Naomi would not blame Ruth for doing so.
This is when Ruth speaks up. Until this point in the story, Orpah and Ruth have always been mentioned together. When Ruth speaks however we learn what her intentions are. Ruth has a voice, and she has a will, and she is not afraid to use them! Ruth had apparently thought this through, and she outlines the path that she is choosing for herself—an extraordinary, unconventional, and even risky path that would in many ways define her.
16 But Ruth said, “Do not press me to leave you,
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 truly meant to follow Naomi wherever Naomi chose to go. She intended to make her home with Naomi and be with her. She was committing herself to go to Judah, Naomi’s home country, and to Bethlehem, her husband’s ancestral home. Ruth understood that Naomi’s people would become her people. There are not really any half-measures taken in this instance. Ruth was going all the way. That is what it would take for this to work.
Ruth intended for Naomi’s God to become her God. It is difficult to know how deeply Ruth had contemplated this part. Was it an attraction to Naomi’s God which motivated all of this, or was it mainly just love for Naomi? The very fact that Ruth mentioned the part about Naomi’s God becoming her God makes us think that Naomi’s faith and its importance were on Ruth’s mind.
Had not Naomi prayed to the Lord on behalf of both Orpah and Ruth? Had not Naomi pronounced God’s blessing on them? It is not hard imagining Naomi speaking of her faith in the presence of her sons when they were alive and with their wives. Even when Naomi spoke of the Lord’s hand being against her, Ruth could probably see that it came out of Naomi’s grief, and the important take away for Ruth would be that Naomi and her Lord were on a journey. Apparently, Ruth wanted in on that journey.
17 Where you die, I will die,
and there will I be buried.
May the Lord do thus to me,
and more as well,
if even death parts me from you!”
Ruth intended to be united with Naomi on Naomi’s life’s journey for as long as life lasted, until the first of them died and was buried. Ruth even made this declaration as a kind of covenant prayer, with the Lord as witness.
Reflect on the selfless quality of this declaration that Ruth made. Ruth committed herself to follow Naomi’s lead on where they would go and live. Ruth was leaving her people to live as a foreigner among Naomi’s people. Ruth was adopting Naomi’s people without any guarantee that they would adopt her. Finally, Ruth was changing her religious and spiritual allegiance to conform to Naomi’s worship of the God of Israel. She was making a lifelong commitment.
What do you think of Ruth’s ability to imagine and describe the commitment she was making in following Naomi? How did she make her commitment sound less like a life sentence and more like a faith journey? In what ways can you imagine Ruth’s commitment pleasing God?
There is a good chance that you have heard verses 16 and 17 read at a wedding. We are recalling the fact that these words were first uttered by a woman to her mother-in-law. Yet, it is hard to find better words to use to describe the covenant that a husband and wife are making when they unite together in marriage. The words work at a wedding as long as the meaning moves beyond mere sentimentality and captures the essence of the kind of commitment Ruth was making toward Naomi.
Since Ruth’s course of action was quite extraordinary among daughters-in-law toward their mother-in-law, is it fair to compare her commitment to the commitment made between husbands and wives in marriage the world over? Should Ruth’s commitment to Naomi set the bar for all marriages? Can marriages survive without that level of commitment?
18 When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she said no more to her.
What else could Naomi do? I think Naomi could sense the open-ended quality of Ruth’s declaration. What was Ruth getting herself into? Ruth was taking a great risk. Neither Naomi nor Ruth could know what was ahead, but everything in Ruth’s words and actions set the stage for an amazing journey of faith.
In the next few verses that follow (Ruth 1:19-21), we’re told that the entrance of Naomi and Ruth into Bethlehem created a stir. The women recognized Naomi, but they could not be sure because she looked different. What did it mean that Naomi’s widowed daughter-in-law was accompanying her? Naomi expressed her grief, saying that they should no longer call her “Naomi” because that name means “pleasant.” Instead, they should call her “Mara,” which means “bitter,” because the Lord has dealt bitterly with her. Naomi said that she left Judah full, but the Lord had brought her back to Judah empty. Naomi felt as if the Lord was dealing with her harshly and the Almighty was bringing calamity upon her.
In her grief, Naomi seemed to think that her current state represented the end of her story. Little did she know that an incredible story was just beginning. The next verse, and last verse of our lesson, sets up the story that is to follow.
22 So Naomi returned together with Ruth the Moabite, her daughter-in-law, who came back with her from the country of Moab. They came to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.
The first part of this verse contains a brief summary of what has happened so far. Ruth the Moabite has followed her mother-in-law into the land that is familiar to Naomi, but completely unfamiliar to Ruth. She has done so out of love and devotion to Naomi. Ruth has faith that helping her mother-in-law through her grief is going to work out for the both of them—by journeying where Naomi journeys, lodging where Naomi lodges, taking on Naomi’s people as her own, and by following and serving Naomi’s God.
We’re also told that they were coming into Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest. The place where these two women were landing was a fertile place, both literally and figuratively. The first chapter of Ruth began with a famine, and now by the end of the first chapter, the story has evolved into a story involving an abundant harvest. Interestingly enough, the barley harvest and the land take center stage in the story that unfolds.
The Rest of the Story
Although our scripture lesson ends at this point, we want to see how Ruth’s decision to follow Naomi turned out.
Ruth somehow knew about the provision in the law of Moses concerning the gleaning of fields. This is the law where landowners were compelled by God not to harvest every morsel of produce from his fields, but to leave the edges of his fields to be gleaned by the poor and by the foreigners traveling through the land. Ruth told Naomi she was going to glean the field belonging to Naomi’s late husband’s clan. In this way, Ruth was seeing to it that they would have food.
What is it like seeing the Mosaic law concerning gleaning being applied in this instance for Ruth and Naomi? How do you feel about God putting in place a social safety net like this one? What does this say to all of us about the concern we should have for the poor and for taking action on their behalf? What is an example of leaving “margin” for others?
Ruth went into the fields to glean because she also thought she might find a future husband among the workers who were harvesting the barley.
Little did she know that she had chosen a portion of the field that belonged to Boaz, a relative of Naomi’s late husband, who happened to be a very prominent and wealthy man. Boaz noticed Ruth and inquired about her. The one in charge of the reapers said,
“She is the young Moabite woman who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab. She said, ‘Please, let me glean and gather among the sheaves behind the reapers.’ So, she came, and she has been on her feet from early this morning until now without resting even for a moment.” (Ruth 2:6-7)
The next thing you know, Boaz was telling Ruth to keep coming back to glean in his field, and that his employees were instructed to look after her. Ruth could not believe her good fortune and fell to the ground before Boaz. She said,
“Why have I found favor in your sight, that you should take notice of me, when I am a foreigner?” But Boaz answered her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told me, how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. May the Lord reward you for your deeds, and may you have a full reward from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge!” Then she said, “May I continue to find favor in your sight, my lord, for you have comforted me and spoken kindly to your servant, even though I am not one of your servants.” (Ruth 2:10-13)
None of Ruth’s selfless actions were lost on Boaz. The blessing he prayed for Ruth draws attention to the faith that Ruth had been expressing through her life and actions. He said, “May you have a full reward from the Lord, the God of Israel,
under whose wings you have come for refuge!” Boaz recognized the path that Ruth had taken in faith by deciding to strike out into the unknown in order to care for her mother-in-law. When Ruth, out of love, left the familiar path and left the seemingly more secure path, she came under the sheltering wings of the Lord himself, the God of Israel.
What do these images of God’s care and Ruth’s faith say about the nature of faith for all of us? What is it about Ruth’s faith that was not only pleasing to God, but also pleasing to Boaz?
Ruth was living the journey of faith, and Boaz was noticing it and pointing it out to Ruth. Thank God for the people like Ruth who live a journey of faith so unpretentiously and with such pure motives. Thank God for the people like Boaz who are able to see the journey of faith that another person is taking and draw attention to it.
As their story progresses, we see them drawing closer together. Ruth is amazed that she, a foreigner, would find favor in the sight of Boaz. Likewise, Boaz is amazed that he, an older man, would find favor in the sight of a woman as young and vibrant as she.
When Ruth told Naomi all that was happening between her and Boaz, Naomi immediately knew who Boaz was and his relation to her late husband’s family. Naomi knew the implications and said, “Blessed be Boaz by the Lord, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!” (Ruth 2:20) Naomi, who had once felt forsaken by the Lord, was beginning to realize that the Lord had not forsaken her. The Lord had been working through all that had been happening on the journey of faith between Ruth and Naomi, which all got started when Ruth made the decision to follow Naomi.
The implications to which Naomi was referring, the implications of the romance blossoming between Ruth and Boaz, flow from another provision in the law of Moses. It was the provision for a relative to become the “kinsmen redeemer” for Ruth and, by extension, Naomi. As a close relative to Ruth’s late husband, Boaz could marry his widow, Ruth, so that her welfare would be guaranteed by him and the land in her family would then be able to be transferred to the household they shared.
The only person who potentially stood in the way was a relative who was closer than Boaz. Boaz went right away to speak to this person in the presence of ten witnesses from among the elders of the town. (Naomi knew that Boaz would not waste any time wanting to settle the matter.) As this other relative considered the possibility of marrying Ruth and receiving the land, he realized it would mess up his own inheritance. This other relative turned it down, which opened the way for Boaz to marry Ruth.
Ruth and Boaz married and soon had a child. It was the women of the town who came to Naomi and celebrate with her the turn that Naomi’s life had taken after her long season of grief. They said, “
Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without next-of-kin, and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has borne him.” (Ruth 4:14-16)
What do you think of the statement the women of the community made when they said that Naomi’s daughter-in-law “who loves you” was to her “more than seven sons”?
Then, we’re told that Naomi took the child and laid him in her bosom and became his nurse. The women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed.
This is when we are told the rest of the story: “Obed became the father of Jesse, the father of David.” (Ruth 4:17) In other words, Ruth, from Moab, would end up being the great-grandmother of none other than the renowned and beloved King David.
This story is not only a love story. It is a story that brought balance to Israel’s occasional tendency toward both nationalism and hostility toward foreigners. It reminded God’s people of the duty to show “neighbor love” to the alien in their midst—for God’s people were once aliens.
What joys and opportunities open up for us when we care for others in our midst? How does this mindset put our faith in alignment with God? Try to describe all the relational dimensions of faith that are present in this story? How does the relational faith described in this story compare with the religious faith we often associate with the word faith?
Prayer
God of love and mercy, You led Naomi and Ruth on a life journey that became an adventure of faith and love for both of them. We pray that you lead us to opportunities where we might open our heart in faith, that we may find a life of commitment and meaning through caring and being cared for, through our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
Dr. Jay Harris serves as the Superintendent of Clergy and District Services for the South Georgia Conference. Email him at jharris@sgaumc.com. Find his plot-driven guide to reading the Bible, the “Layered Bible Journey,” at www.layeredbiblejourney.com.
