Hope in the Darkness

Some Kind of Blessing!

“… and may your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring that the Lord will give you by this young woman.” - Ruth 4:12

I have to admit that when I first read this blessing that the witnesses gave Boaz, I wondered to myself, “What kind of blessing is this?” If I remind you of the story of Tamar and Judah (which is found in Genesis 38), it might make you think that this is more likely the words of a curse, than a blessing. Let me explain… The story of Perez’s birth, to Tamar and Judah does have some very important parallels to the story of Ruth and Boaz. Like Ruth, Tamar’s husband died before they could produce an heir. Like Boaz, Judah became the father of a child that would redeem the line. However, that is where the parallels end, and the stories diverge… pretty radically. Where Ruth and Boaz’s relationship is one of honor and purity, Tamar and Judah’s is one of deception and wickedness. You see, Tamar was in a desperate situation, like Ruth, but she did not have a wonderful “Knight in Shining Armor,” like Boaz. She felt like she had to take matters into her own hands in order to produce an heir, so she did the thing that many young widows are forced to do… she became a prostitute, for one day and one man. She disguised herself so that Judah would proposition her and sleep with her. Oh, and did I mention that Judah was Tamar’s Father-in-Law? Yep, that happened. This means that Perez was the product of an incestuous relationship. Now do you understand why I was surprised at this “blessing”?

And yet, to them, this was a blessing. In fact, it was a blessing that someone thought was worth recording in the pages of scripture, so we must dig into it a little more. Or maybe we should at least keep reading a bit. Sure enough, in the last verses of the book of Ruth, we hear that Boaz, and most likely many of the people who were a part of that clan, could trace their ancestry to Perez. They were the product of this wild story of incest. But, and here’s the key, they were not ashamed of it! Instead, they saw the hand of God in the midst of all the depravity and deception. This did not make them ashamed of their forefather, it made them thankful to the God who sustained them despite the sin. If God could bless the offspring of Tamar and Judah, as sinful as they were, how much more could they bless the offspring of this virtuous relationship of Ruth and Boaz?

You see, God will always have his way, even if we don’t want to participate. Tamar and Judah chose to go their own way, and because of it, they will forever be associated with their sin. Ruth and Boaz chose to obediently follow God’s ways, and because of it, they will forever be known for their faithfulness. I don’t know about you, but I want to take the obedience option. As you consider this new year, I pray that you will choose obedience too.

Josh Rose
Family Pastor

by Josh Rose

Better than 7 Sons…

As our study of the book of Ruth concludes, we have to grin at the goodness of God. In spite of death, displacement, and discouragement, a Gracious God has a good plan. He saw the circumstances, and I believe he grieved with our main characters, Naomi and Ruth when their husbands passed prematurely, he grieved with the barrenness of Ruth and Orpah for the decade they hoped to conceive. He was and is the God who sees needs and provides, in Hebrew, Jehovah-Jireh.

At the end of chapter 4, God provides for Naomi and Ruth. The good Boaz steps up as kinsman-redeemer, purchases Naomi’s land and marries Ruth. An ethical man, he was above reproach as he invited many elders of the town to be witnesses legally. He treated the two widows with honor and respect. And the LORD saw fit to bless Boaz and Ruth with a son, Obed, who would father Jesse who would father King David…as the lineage of Baby Jesus, King of Kings, carries on without skipping a beat.

Naomi held her miracle infant grandson on her lap, the hope for which she must have prayed fervently. Her circle of friends exclaimed, “The Lord is good….your daughter-in-law Ruth loves you, and that’s “better than 7 sons.”

God saw fit to bless me with sons only. Four of them. They are a huge blessing. In Ancient Israel, having many sons was seen as God’s favor—strapping young boys would grow into hardworking men and provide for their own families, and as the older generation aged, good sons would care for their parents, especially widowed mothers.

I find it fascinating that Moabite Ruth, this foreign girl, was known by the community as someone who loved so well. We get a clue back in chapter one, “Where you go, I’ll go….your God will be my God….” Ruth promised to love Naomi with a complete, unending kind of love. But here in chapter 4, we have solid evidence from a gaggle of little old lady witnesses—-who might have been prone to judging—that the love of Ruth was legendary. Better than the blessing of 7 sons.

Christmastime is a perfect opportunity to love extravagantly. Not with gifts money can buy, but Love as Paul described, the most excellent gift to give, the most excellent gift anyone could receive.

Love that’s patient, love that’s kind. Love that doesn’t envy, nor boast, and isn’t proud. Love that’s not rude or selfish. Love that doesn’t anger easily and keeps no record of wrongs. Love that doesn’t delight in evil but rejoices with truth. Love that protects, and trusts, and hopes, and perseveres.

Love like Ruth.

Donielle Winter
EFCC Member

by Donielle Winter

Beloved

Merry Christmas! Today we celebrate the birth of our Savior, our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Jesus was born in a stable made for animals. He came to earth with nothing. He also left with nothing but in doing so, he gave us everything.

This Advent, we’ve been studying the book of Ruth, an Old Testament model of redemption. The word redemption is an act of rescue; atonement or payment for guilt or fault. Yet redemption is also defined as an act of “regaining” or providing “restoration”. The words “regain” and “restore” communicate the idea of bringing someone back to their original state; the blessed, the beloved person who God created them to be.

In this short book, Naomi and Ruth lost their home, their husbands, and their identity in society, yet God’s bigger plan was one of redemption. No doubt these two women suffered much, but their tenacity and faith in God kept them going and brought them to a place of restoration. Ruth chapter 4 concludes with a blessing from the women in Naomi’s neighborhood; women who had watched their journey and seen their pain. Ruth 4:14-15 says, “Then the women said to Naomi, ‘Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age.”

Jesus, whom we celebrate today, is our Redeemer. He desires us, calls us beloved, and declares that we are blessed. He came to this earth to walk among us. He counseled the brokenhearted. He comforted the barren and the grieving. He provided for those in need. And he is still doing all of this in our lives today! He has and is and will continue to restore life and nourish our souls.

Today, as you consider the birth of your redeemer, Jesus, do you believe that he calls you blessed; that you are God’s own beloved? You were created out of love. God made you in order to love you and there is nothing that you can do to make him love you more. God sent His Son, Jesus, to restore your life and bring you back to a place of wholeness through him. He did this because He loves you and desires a relationship with you. This is Christmas!

May you live today as God’s precious beloved.

Lynette Fuson
Care & Counseling Director

by Lynette Fuson

Waiting in Faith: A Lesson from Boaz

by Jeremy Johnson

Strength Redefined

The Moabite blood that flowed through Ruth’s veins was an unwelcome presence in the land of Judah due to the history between them. And I can’t know for sure what was going through her mind as she stepped out to glean fields, but I can imagine. She might have experienced that awkward heaviness of feeling out of place and like you just don’t belong. We all know that feeling. It’s a vulnerable inner space as thoughts of insecurity swirl. To add to it, sometimes there is a real lack of security in the environment itself. But I’m convinced she wasn’t swayed by heredity, nor was she divided as to her identity, and she was confident of her well-being. Instead, she was ruled by the confession of her mouth and she stepped onto that field securely. “Your people will be my people and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16). Ruth knew whom she belonged to and trusted God to provide.

God provided Hesed love to her through the person of Boaz, the owner of the field, whose name means “strength”. When we think of strength we often think of power, grit, and toughness, but Boaz lived a life of strength that redefined the term. His strength was a godly one that was kind, caring, loyal, faithful, protective, selfless, hospitable, and generous.

As we follow along, we see God’s hand orchestrating His favor as these characters cooperate in ways that lead to blessing. Ruth held tight to her new identity and Boaz used his strength to love without limits. God is so good that He blesses the righteous and the unrighteous (Matthew 5:45), but as evident in this story, partnering with His ways brings a harvest of blessing… maybe even double blessings! “She kept close to the young women of Boaz, gleaning until the end of the barley and wheat harvests” (Ruth 2:23).

It’s easy for us to see God at work in this story, but do you see Him at work within yours? Take a moment and look back at a time of hardship. Where can you see him at work and how are you participating?

Jessica Klootwyk
Discipleship Director

by Jessica Klootwyk

Least of These

Many years ago when my kids were little, I took them to the soup kitchen to help feed the homeless. I hoped this would give them an experience of serving others and extending kindness to someone in need. Would the people know we even cared for them? Would my kids be inspired and grow into generous adults who desire to serve others? I didn’t know, but pressing forward allowed us to learn. I humbly submit to you that it was more uncomfortable for all of us than I expected but it was worth it.

I was struck as I watched one woman get her food, and then select her spot on the floor with blankets she had brought to claim her space. She had an old paperback book in one hand, and a fork in the other. She appeared extremely content as this looked to be a “coveted” spot she had landed for the night. Hospitality was extended to her with the warm food and the dry floor. I wondered what her story was leading to her homelessness, and I have often thought about whatever happened to her since our night feeding the homeless.

She came to mind as I was reading through Ruth. Ruth was extended a similar experience as she was allowed to glean in Boaz’s fields. Gleaning allowed the less fortunate to gather the leftovers. He also offered her a meal, including roasted grain until she was full. His gracious ways included protection, provision, and encouragement until the harvest ended.

Ruth knew she was an outsider and yet she felt the comfort and favor from Boaz. Have you ever felt like an outsider? Have you ever been a foreigner longing to be known? Boaz took an interest in Ruth and knew where she came from and even understood the Moabite culture. These were people that were looked down on. This wasn’t a concern for him. He was touched by her character, her love, and her tenacious desire to honor Naomi.

How might our world be different if the underprivileged were treated with the sort of kindness that Ruth 2 demonstrates? It's possible that the thought could overwhelm you and lead you to analysis paralysis and you do nothing. You might do it and feel a bit uncomfortable too. Just a little something could make all the difference in the world to someone. Would you ask God to show you where to step in? Trust His faithfulness and understand He is with you in it.

The King will reply “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Tammy De Armas
EFCC Member

by Tammy DeArmas

God’s Kind Providence

Ruth 2:1-23

The story of Ruth teaches us that hardships are opportunities to turn to God in faith. God purposely orchestrated things in their lives and worked out his plan for their good in spite of famine and the loss of loved ones. What stands out to me as we study Ruth is the kindness shown not only by God toward Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz but also by them toward each other.

In March of this year, I got a call no parent ever wants to receive. Our youngest son had been body surfing in Mexico and was hit by a rogue wave that tumbled him to the bottom head first breaking and crushing almost every cervical vertebrae. It is a long story, but he was flown to Houston Memorial Hospital where he had a complicated revision surgery, he had clots in his lungs, leaking spinal fluid, and very little feeling on his right side. He was in critical condition for weeks and then in rehab for several weeks. I was with him for a month along with other family and friends who came and went. He had a traumatic spinal cord injury and three complications that could have taken his life. I prayed a lot.

Through it all, God provided kind people who brought food and came to visit from Austin. When I was lost in the massive hospital at first, someone always showed up to help me—my angels! Even the shuttle drivers where I was staying became friends and always asked how our son was doing, and we had good talks. The medical and rehab staff were amazing and kind as well.

I will never forget the kind people I met in Houston though it was the worst nightmare of my life. I’m a cancer survivor and that was bad, but this was my baby–so much worse! Meanwhile, people at home were praying for us and that gave me strength to keep going.

Jared is walking, back to work, traveling some, and doing well. There are still challenges, but we are grateful he is still with us and doing well. God provided me personally with so many “helpers” along the way. He answered prayers. He provided Jar with great friends, doctors, nurses, and therapists he’ll never forget. Our son encouraged so many people he came in contact with and I saw how truly kind he is to others.

God was faithful and provided kind people at every turn during that really hard time in March, just as he was faithful and kind to Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz.

The world isn’t always kind, but we can be a light by letting God’s kindness shine.

Deb Hill
Exec. Assistant

by Deb Hill