Moving Forward - 26 February 2025
- danalewisambrose
- Feb 26
- 1 min read
WEDNESDAY, February 26, PHOTINI, THE SAMARITAN WOMAN, c.67
Ruth 2:12b May you have a full reward from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge!
It always struck me as odd that even though Naomi has a rich kinsman, Boaz, the text indicates that she hadn’t told Ruth. The narrator lets the reader know, but all Naomi says is, “Go, my daughter,” when Ruth announces her plan to glean in the fields. Thankfully, Ruth just happens to end up in the fields belonging to Boaz and receives his blessing. She finds safety and drink, in addition to food.
And while Boaz treats her kindly, both he and Ruth acknowledge her foreign outsider status. He doesn’t claim her at this time as part of his household, although he knows Naomi is his relative. It’s as if Ruth’s loyalty is merit enough to be rewarded with good fortune, but there’s ambivalence around offering familial security, as if her outsider status is a tad more important than her loyalty. It makes me wonder who I’m nice to but don’t consider important enough to be in spaces where decisions get made or communal responsibilities are handed out. God, please show me who I see as outsiders—and how to change my perspective.
MOVING FORWARD: Who do you regard as an outsider?
(Source: Forward Day By Day Movement)
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