The Book of Ruth ~ Devotion Two

"A Clear and Smooth Stone"

Ruth 1:1-5 (NLT) "In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a severe famine came upon the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah left his home and went to live in the country of Moab, taking his wife and two sons with him. The man’s name was Elimelech, and his wife was Naomi. Their two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in the land of Judah. And when they reached Moab, they settled there.

Then Elimelech died, and Naomi was left with her two sons. The two sons married Moabite women. One married a woman named Orpah, and the other a woman named Ruth. But about ten years later, both Mahlon and Kilion died. This left Naomi alone, without her two sons or her husband."

Almost everyone likes a love story. The Old Testament book of Ruth is such a story. It is filled with a wide range of emotion, from severe loss to ecstatic joy. This short book, only four chapters long, lays out the splendid care God is happy to give His people.

No one really knows who wrote the book of Ruth but tradition holds that the prophet Samuel was the author. This little book was later read with four other books of the Old Testament ~ Song of Songs ~ Ruth ~ Lamentations ~ Ecclesiastes ~ Esther ~ at the Feasts of Israel. Ruth was always read at the Feast of Harvest which is better known as Pentecost, because the majority of the book is set in the harvest fields.

The Book of Ruth is special because it reveals that God chose Ruth, who was not even an Israelite, but was from pagan descent, to further show us what His wonderful plan is all about. At the end of this marvelous little book it is revealed that Ruth is part of the ancestors of King David (she his great-grandmother) and thus in the ancestry of Jesus.

Ruth lived in around the 12^th century BC It’s often hard for those of us living today to grasp how a story so old could be relevant. But, strangely, even supernaturally, it does. God reaches across the centuries and touches our hearts by telling us the story of a young woman named Ruth who would be a great part of His plan.

The story begins like this: “In the days when..." It reminds me of how fairytales start ~ “Once upon a time…" Already I feel connected because of all the fairytales that my mother would read to me started out that way. The Book of Ruth is anything but a fairytale. There are no dragons do be slain or wicked witches to melt. But rather there is famine and death ~ love and loss. 

So we start out with a once-upon-a-time and then meet get our first person in the story.  Elimelech was his name and he was from Bethlehem of Judah. Interestingly, the Hebrew name “Elimelech” means, “God is my King.” That's a cool name. However, I don’t think it will be on the top ten baby names anytime soon.

I mentioned in yesterday’s devotion that “Bethlehem” means, “house of bread.” Interestingly the “Bread of Life” (Jesus) was born there. Isn’t God cool? He focuses on the details of everything but is never distracted by them. Do you know anyone else capable of doing that?

Elimelech was married to a lady named "Naomi" which means “my joy.” They had two sons "Mahlon" which means “sick” and "Kilion" which means “failing.” I find it interesting that Hebrew names often reflect what is going on with that person. 

God knows what your name means and it is positive. In fact, He has a new name written in heaven for you. 

Revelation 2:17 (MSG)"Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches. I'll give the sacred manna to every conqueror; I'll also give a clear, smooth stone inscribed with your new name, your secret new name." 

Those who follow Jesus have a clear, smooth stone with our new, secret name written on it. The things we faced on this earth in our failing bodies will be no more. Jesus renames us and gives us a new heavenly body for eternity. He doesn't erase who we are, He completes us!

Sometimes we define ourselves with negative words. They do not jibe with the true one that God  gives us. Satan wants nothing more than for God’s people to believe the untrue and hurtful meanings of our names on this earth. God wants us to know that we are special to Him. He has a new name written on a stone smoothed by the wind of His Spirit.

The evil one loves to distract us from the things that God has planned out for us. He lies, steals, cheats and destroys because he hates anything that God loves. God does dearly and honestly love you. I lean heavily on this truth. 

So many times we focus on things that are happening to us or our bodies and lose sight of the plans that God has for us. You’ve heard the phrase, “It’s not about us” tossed around nowadays. (Sometimes I get tired of hearing it.) It isn’t about us. God’s plan is for our good and for the glory of His great name and reputation.

We will see that God does provide for those He loves in the Book of Ruth. He often uses the unexpected to get our attention. From the first two verses of the book we find that He is very present and very active in the lives of those written about in this fabulous little book.

God does love you and wants nothing more than to be in a delight-filled, promise-keeping, need-providing relationship. Are you ready to walk toward His excellent intentions for your precious life? Hopefully this study will take you many steps closer to His loving arms.