Reading the book of Ruth again:

 The story of Ruth has lots to teach us now about treating the “foreigner”, women, one another, or any “other”!  As well it teaches of the Kingdom economy-ie how to use the surplus of our lives, the extra which runs over, to bless and love others with wisdom and kindness, in a way which actually produces spiritual growth in ourselves and one another!

 Plus it is so well written, as a piece of art, worth a careful consideration, among the many great narratives of scripture. Great study today in the midst of trying to learn to live well.

I like looking at each character of the stories, and thinking about how I relate to them, and what they each have to teach my heart about God. That’s how I read devotionally.

 Sometimes i just read for history or for cultural understanding, but reading devotionally—i.e. to meet God through the story opens other things up, and allows for other types of transformation in encountering the stories.

 And then to try to get the tone of the story, and the basic plot. Encounter it as art, about something bigger than myself.

 This story has so many core metaphors about how to treat one another, and the passion and loyalty to one another and the true God. Rich story. Worth re-reading again. Glad I did today.

 Here’s a woman, who was not Jewish, but who ends up becoming the grandmother of King David and so in the birth line of Jesus, and came to follow the God or “Utmost” of the Jews, and move in the ways of the God of the Jews. She was an anomaly in the story. Someone, unexpected to show up in the drama.

Great story. Worth a re-read. A woman of God, not of “His People” but who found Him, through love of Naomi, and walked out her life in His Ways. Powerful example. Especially for gentiles—or, those grafted in.

Reading the book honestly, always reveals new levels of truths to me. Nice to consider her story today.