Sunday School Lesson for Aug. 21, 2011: Empowering the Needy (Ruth 2:8-18)

GOD moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

Olney Hymns (1779)--'Light Shining out of Darkness'



Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.





Ruth and Boaz: A love Story. Somewhere between all the ‘thee’s’ and ‘thou’s’ there is a very human story with very human interactions, attractions and outcomes. Long story short: Boaz got the girl. That’s really what this part of the Book of Ruth is about. Boaz is attracted to Ruth at first glance (for whatever reason you choose: spiritual or otherwise). He immediately takes steps to bring Ruth and Naomi into his sphere of influence. He tells his workers to see to it that she is treated with dignity, he tells Ruth not to glean elsewhere, but to glean in his fields, and then he sends her back to Naomi’s house with the equivalent of thirty days worth of grain. In my sanctified imagination, I think he was clueing Naomi in on what was on his mind. You may or may not agree with me, but God used very human circumstances to bring about His Providential will.



I asked my brother, the poet (my real brother) to ‘interpert’ this passage, Ruth 2:8:18. I think his offering is tastefully done. I offer it for your perusal…



Blessings,



.wb



Then Boaz said unto Ruth

go not to another field to harvest

but to my field of wheat and grain

reserved only for the maidservants

of my clan

Don't worry about the other men

taking your beauty as a sign

to get out of hand

harvest as much as you can stand

you will not be troubled

for this is my command

take what you must

drink from water already drawn

free from the fields of dust

i am a man and who you can trust

your happiness and well being

is a must



Ruth bowed to Boaz in gratitude

Thank you for your kindness to a mere stranger

what have i done to favor such attitude?

and Boaz answered in kind

I have watched you for a while

i must admit i like your style

the way you watched after your mother in law

after her husbands final fall

is the epitome of loyalty thats all

the Lord taketh away

but he also giveth

to those under whose wings pray

Ruth replied Boaz let me find favor in your eyes

for you have comforted me to no end

even though we are unfamiliar and no kin

And then Boaz declared

well let that be the reason that at meal time

you come to my table

in which to dine

Ruth did exactly that

bread dipped in vinegar

roasted corn simply devine

best feast she had eaten in a long time.



and when she was risen up to harvest

Boaz warned his young man

let her harvest and poach

this woman is off limits, above reproach

and if she falls short of the standard

leave her portion behind

and pay it no mind

speak to her only when spoken to

and always be kind



So Ruth harvested all day

and then went to the city

there she found her mother in law Naomi

Happy, but quite weary

and Ruth shared all that she had

true love for Naomi was all she ever had.