Good morning my friends,
This morning we have read the book of Ruth and in it we find two ordinary people doing the right thing. That is what it boils down to in essence. Ruth could have left her mother-in-law Naomi to fend for herself. She could have returned to her people and found a new husband. She could have married rich. But she did not. She stayed with Naomi and pledged to remain with her, becoming like her in order to support her. Naomi's other daughter-in-law left because Naomi released her, but not Ruth. Ruth refused to go. As a result she was highly thought of by the people of Naomi's community.
Then there was Boaz. Boaz too could have been like many others and simply shrugged off his responsibility. In fact, when Ruth approached him he could have just shrugged the whole thing off stating she was the responsibility of the kinsman-redeemer. But Ruth had approached Boaz and Boaz felt that she was now his responsibility. He took the steps necessary and approached the kinsmen-redeemer and won the day for her.
This story is about two people of noble character both doing the right thing. This is what they always did, it was not a one time thing. This was their character to always do the right thing, the honourable thing. If they considered themselves first they would not have had the same character. They almost had the stature of nobility because of the selflessness they displayed in choosing to do the right thing. In the end, God chose their line to birth David and eventually the King of all kings, Jesus Christ.
I am not even sure we can conceive of this notion any more of living a selfless life. Oh, we can be brilliant at times but can we shine in every moment like Ruth? Would people say of us "What a noble character they have". Could we earn such a reputation for making the right choices in the toughest times? We can not make the right choice if we are more concerned with ourselves than with others. It may be great to read such stories but are we willing to live them?
Reflect on these words of Paul the Apostle today and see if they stir up any noble theme hidden deep inside:
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." (PHilippians 2:3)
We do not have to stay like this; we can change because the Father's will is for us to change.
13 comments:
I love the story of Ruth and Boaz.... :D ... if they had been in our time, they would have stood out even more... not many people think about others before themselves anymore... :( ... yet, we are all told too in the Bible... hmm... makes you look at yourself... makes you wonder "do I stand out?"
first comment! *woot* .... hmm.... sorta opposite what I was just talking about, isn't it?
haha! lol ray!!
i aggree, its something we sometimes dont take enough time reflecting on! we have to think of others before ourselves... but its more than a decision, its a way of living!
I think people who stand SOMTIMES get a little prideful. Ruth gave up her whole life with her people just to be with naomi.
Thinking of others before yourself is a great moral that we should all apply in our life
it's true that we are more selfish now then in Ruth's time... that kinda makes me want to become less selfish... (the competitive one in me speaking... =P)
I agree with Rikola, we are more selfish now...and it kind of makes you stop and take a look at yourself.
*sigh* If only we all(moi included) were as self-less as Ruth. She did a brave thing. She did the right thing. And God rewarded her for it.
yes theres not a lot of Noble people anymore
i only have one thing to say maybe two....it takes out-of-the-ordinary stuff to stand out. It sometimes takes for someone to be different to make a difference and that is probably why God made us each unique, matbe we are supposed to help the world in our own way. and this is the second thing i have to say....GO HABS GO!!!!!
YOu flip-flopper! Kendall! I can't believe you, you traitor!
OK so ,I think that it s real that there almost no more generous people.But like I know people who take car eof me before them just has "my parents".
I think mabye we're more selfish now than back then, is because we have alot more than we did back then
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