Reading
SAA Notes
This is the story of God’s grace. Someone of Moabite descent was not given citizenship even after 10 generations. Deuteronomy 23:3 David is the fourth generation descendant of a Moabite! What is impossible for man, is possible for God! There are many lessons you can learn from this narrative.
SJA Notes
* Mighty God, You have ransomed the souls of Your people from the power of Sheol, You have received us as a Good Shepherd brings in His sheep.
“Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.”
Our religion is powered by the Lord. It is HE who saves, HE who works salvation in some and rejects others.
Here at the start of Ruth we see a mixed family. Israelite parents and sons, married to Moabite women.
Marrying outside of Israel, and to women of Moab!
Balaam the son of Beor was hired to curse Israel by the king of Moab.
We read of when Israel were still sojourning (but close to entering the promised land) in Numbers 25,
“While Israel live in Shittim, the people began the whore with the daughters of Moab.”
And we read in Deuteronomy 23,
“No Ammonite or Moabite may enter the assembly of the LORD.”
And yet.
We see here God calling some and not others.
Orpah chooses to return to Moab, to her people and (as Naomi says) to her gods. Israel earlier in Numbers had yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor.
But Ruth.
Ruth has a strong clear faith in the Lord.
“Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.”
Here we see blessing to all nations through Abraham, we see bringing in of a gentile into God’s people, we see God at work in a wonderful way.
Because Ruth is a part of the line of David, and onwards through to Jesus.
A Moabite woman, a gentile, grafted into the true vine!
Hallelujah!
* God Above,
We give You thanks for this passage today.
Thank You for calling us from all nations to be Your people.
Please show us Jesus today.
Amen.