Personal Shuv
They broke into weeping and said to her, “No, we will return with you to your people.” Ruth 1:9-10 JPS
Return – Literally this verse reads, “No, it is with you that we return to your people.” Eskenazi points out that the focus of the women’s concern is Naomi, not their personal plight nor their potential rescue. They are committed to the relationship, not the results.
This is a good place for us to pause and ask ourselves if we have the same personal relationship burden. Why do we pursue interaction with others? What is the motivation behind our reaching out? These two Moabite women are the paradigm of true hesed. They are committed to the person. If we have other motives, perhaps “winning souls” or “bringing them to the truth,” we might need to re-examine our focus. Even the loftiest spiritual motives fall flat if they are not the result of complete commitment to the other person. The relationship always comes first.
It’s easy for us to think that we have the other person’s best interests at heart. With so much spiritual language in the evangelical air, we often think that the primary purpose of relating to others is to make sure they know Jesus and will find their way to heaven. But I wonder if that actually demonstrates the character of God’s hesed. Orpah and Ruth have nothing to gain by committing themselves to Naomi. In fact, their commitment carries considerable risk. They will be outsiders in Bethlehem. They will be rejected and possibly abused. After all, they are the “cursed” Moabites. The chances of them ever finding a husband, and the accompanying security necessary for survival, are slim. To go with Naomi is to accept a life of destitution and distress. But it doesn’t matter. Why? Because they love Naomi. They are not thinking of themselves. They are not even thinking about normal precautions, about weighing the options, about projecting outcomes. They are concerned only for this other woman. What happens to them has no consequence.
Is that the kind of commitment you and I make toward loved ones? Are we ready to be exposed, abused, rejected or distressed in order to demonstrate unfailing love toward another person? I suggest that if we begin calculating the pros and cons, we no longer exhibit hesed, and if we do this with another human being, I doubt we can demonstrate hesed toward a being we cannot see. The test of hesed shel emet (true hesed) is its demonstration here and now, among those like us. If we fail with our fellow travelers, we can be assured we fail with the Holy One of Israel.
“It is with you that we return,” say Ruth and Orpah. What do we say?
Topical Index: return, hesed, Ruth 1:10
~ If we have other motives, perhaps “winning souls” or “bringing them to the truth,” we might need to re-examine our focus ~
Yes, this is true. I do need constantly to re-examine my focus and ever be ~ looking unto Yeshua HaMashiach, Jesus (who is the) Anointed, the Founder-Author and Perfecter-Completer of our faith, Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the execution stake, (the tslav) despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.~ (Hebrews 12.2)
And as for “winning souls”- ~ Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever ~ (Daniel 12.3)
~ Remember this: (Seems we have forgotten something)
~ Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins. (James 5:20)
Seems we have also forgottten Someone: ~ For The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost ~ (Luke 19.10)
~ Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst ~ (1 Timothy 1:15)
Seems we have forgotten our Master’s own words: (it is written)
~I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance ~ (Luke 5.32)
Seems we have forgotten Yeshua is a friend to sinners-
~ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and people say, ‘Look at Him! He’s a glutton and a drunk, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ “Yet, wisdom is proved right by its actions.” ~ (Matthew 11.19)
and seems we have forgottten how to pray as this man did, the man who Yeshua said was justified:
“And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up unto the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” (Luke 18:9-14)
Seems we have forgotten the message of John the Immerser: ~ ~Repent, (shuv) for the kingdom of heaven is near.. ~
Seems we have forgotten- salvation is not a reward for the righteous, but a gift for the guilty
Seems we have forgotten Someone lives within the heart of every twice-born, blood-bought believer and that ~ greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world ~ (1 John 4:4)
Seems we have much to remember and much to repent of. If only we had Someone, a Heavenly Helper to re-mind us of His words.. How wonderful this would be! Did Adam “forget?” the words of His own Creator?- or was he distracted by the glittering golden (seemingly good) fruit? Oh, Adam! ~ There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death ~ (Proverbs 14.12)
~ But the Comforter, who is the Holy Spirit, (our hidden Comforter-Counselor-Advocate-Helper- Encourager-Ezer) Who the Father will send in My Name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you ~ (John 14.26)
Now I remember! and I will surely confess, then express-
~ Where does my Help come from? ~ (and) I (too) will lift up my eyes to the hills, from where comes my help. My help (azar) comes from the LORD, (ADONAI) Who made heaven and earth ~ (Psalm 121.1,2)
I am now remembering (have I been sleeping?) ~ that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as LORD, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved ~ (Romans 10.9)
And I am remembering His words: ~ for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” ~
This, is His open invitation for “whosoever will,” – but remember: “sinners only, are welcome here.”
Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole;
I want Thee forever to live in my soul.
Break down every idol, cast out every foe;
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow.
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Lord Jesus, let nothing unholy remain,
Apply Thine own blood and extract ev’ry stain;
To get this blest cleansing, I all things forego—
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow.
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Lord Jesus, look down from Thy throne in the skies,
And help me to make a complete sacrifice.
I give up myself, and whatever I know,
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow.
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Lord Jesus, for this I most humbly entreat,
I wait, blessèd Lord, at Thy crucified feet.
By faith, for my cleansing, I see Thy blood flow,
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow.
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Lord Jesus, Thou seest I patiently wait,
Come now, and within me a new heart create;
To those who have sought Thee, Thou never saidst “No,”
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow.
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Thy blessing by faith, I receive from above;
O glory! my soul is made perfect in love;
My prayer has prevailed, and this moment I know,
The blood is applied, I am whiter than snow.
Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow.
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
~ “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. ~ (Isaiah 1.18)
~ and I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of (Calvary’s) Lamb.” ~ (Revelation 7.14)
Who is Eskanazi mention above???
Who is Eskanazi mentioned in todays word??
Tamara Cohn Eskenazi is one of the two authors of Ruth: The JPS Commentary.
I see it as the greatest love I can possibly show another is to show him/her my Savior. I cannot follow/cleave to another human being if it takes me away from my Savior, or be more committed to a person of flesh than to my God.
Gen. 12.1 and Heb. 11.8
No matter who, husband, son, daughter, grandchild, friend–there are so many I love deeply, and some of them I would gladly die in their place if need be, yet if it comes to a cross-roads, them or Him, tho I’d go broken-hearted, — my decision was made, and my direction chosen years and years ago. Even if my parting path were to take me to homelessness, ridicule, rejection, poverty, prison.
Evangelical air must be the very air of heaven, a whole bunch of it filled our world when Jesus opened His suitcase in Bethlehem. His heart was sending missionaries to deliver His message long before, He arranged thru all Jonah’s resistance to deliver the Heavenly message of “I love you, I don’t want you to perish. I will forgive you if you ask Me.”
I read my Bible from a different view point. My eye is forever on the majesty of God. Tho I have been text-immersed for years, it is not ‘history’ to me, it is alive and still I sit on the edge of my seat, breathlessly waiting, when I get to the part of the 3 of them standing and having this conversation. Sure, I know how it ends, — but still,– I am in a state of pure amazment at God’s working behind the scenes to influence the outcome. If Ruth didn’t go, the trip of the ages was cancelled — the trip to Bethlehem! How would He have re-booked it?? I know He would have, and the only thing lost would have been our ever having heard of Ruth. Just as Orpah turned and walked off the pages of history.
And afterwards, my commitment to Him is retrenched, and again I turn over everything to Him, knowing I am unable to so much as make a small decision for I don’t know the outcome and He does. Then I go on with my day, assured He can move and make me to do His will in each instance.
I might work hard, I might hit roadblocks, but heads with some, have trials, tribulations, and fustrations, but I am at rest and blessed. — insights from an Evangelical Christian, (me)
Sister Dorothy- I never have met you (in the flesh) and may never be privileged to do so- but rest assured, my sister in Christ- my heart is united with yours in love and adoration for our dear Savior. May I “share” and show your post with others today? Yes, Ruth is real and yet, -but a shadow of the substance we find in our Sovereign Savior, our Beloved Boaz, our near Kinsman-Redeemer, the LORD Jesus (who is the) Christ.
For your edification and great comfort,- if you have not yet read “The Divine Romance” by Gene Edwards- “run don’t walk” to purchase this one. Friends, if you haven’t heard or don’t know,- “we” are the (future) Bride of Christ. If we don’t see you here- we’ll see you there – at a wedding feast what is going to be (for lack of vocabulary- I’m so sorry…) far beyond anything we could possibly imagine. Remember, God not only plans and prepares- He also promises- then performs! – What a mighty God we serve!- and yes, ~ He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all- how shall He not with Him- also freely give us all things? (Romans 8.32)
Brother Carl, (Eph.1:2) you have all permission, past, present, future.
That is one of the books on my long ‘someday’ list. So many books, so little time 🙂
Orpah and Ruth have nothing to gain by committing themselves to Naomi. In fact, their commitment carries considerable risk. They will be outsiders in Bethlehem. They will be rejected and possibly abused.
Reminds me so much of Miriam/Mary who understood the awful consequences that lay ahead because of her commitment to her relationship to YHVH
Lu 1:38 And Mary said: I am the servant of the Lord; may it be to me as you say. And the angel went away.
Lu 1:39 Then Mary got up and went quickly into the high lands, to a town of Judah; BBE
Thank you for this thought today. If we were to practice radical hesed in all our interactions, we would be modeling the teaching of our Messiah. It is what we do with one another that people see, and it impacts all those around us, not just the person involved in our direct interaction. It is like the difference between illuminating a single rock in the path with an LED bulb, or putting a lighthouse on a hill.
Next time the “Metro Maniac” boards our train, will we hope to avoid him, or will we engage him to find out what he needs, to learn his pain, to show him the hesed of the Master in our unconditional love for him. Will we “love” him to give him a message? Or will we love him enough to establish a relationship with him?
It is one thing to love our neighbor, who is like us. Our Master calls us to love even our enemies, those who hate us. We must reach out in lovingkindness to the Naomi’s in our lives, but also to the “lepers.” We cannot expect the world to take the words of Jesus seriously, until it sees that our self-less actions show that we are his disciples in deed.
Hi Karen, The good LORD bless you and keep you.
This is a very unique learning place. We can ALL learn from one another.
One of the biggest things I learned recently was right here, from Skip’s teachings. *nodding yes*.
I learned man has a great basic need to be human. But how can they if we don’t give the message that they need to know our God, Creator, and Savior, and then repent and enter His rest?
May God’s very best blessings follow you, Karen, and may you be a light to all those He brings across your daily path. Yes! Give them food and shelter, but also give them The Bread that came down from Heaven and pray our Father will call them to eternal shelter under His wings.
Hi, it is an interesting observation you make about Jesus being an un-remarkable person, who did not promote himself to be anyone special. One who stood in the shadows. The last person to whom we might look. Here He is in our lives and how often do we remember Him. Surely He is the same today.
–I learned man has a great basic need to be human.–
This is what I learned from this website Dorothy- “to pray is to become fully human and we will never become fully human until we do pray!” This, in addition to – The Son of Man was (and is) the most fully human being ever to have lived!- and if we want to experience life in all of it’s “fulness” or perfection-we need look no further than Him, for He is the ONE who “seals up the sum- perfect in wisdom and in beauty.” “Teach us to pray” (teach me to pray) is one request our Father assuredly would delight to answer with His amen and seal of approval!
Thanks for adjusting my aim on that one, –as you know, it is a new thought to me. I fought about it for awhile, (smile). I thank everyone for patience with me. I am of the type to charge hellfires with a water pistol and when it is empty, spit.
I had always thought everyone is human, along underlying DNA code lines and Genome sizes that is true, different from animal, yet also amazingly close. Somehow encoded within minute fractions of our genetic code, amino acids arranged in a specific mysterious order in the nuclei of our cells endow us with the brainpower to outthink and outdo the animals.
To see PRAYER as the difference is a quite mind blogging thought !
Teach me to pray, O LORD.