Pastor Jon delivered a superb sermon this morning, staying true to form and apparently fulfilling the standards set by a nameless congregant (two movie references and a "shout out," though this one remained nameless).
One of the more obscure associations that occurred to me during the entire worship service was the connection between the "theme" word of Ruth chapter 1 (the Scripture upon which the sermon was based) and part of the prayers for the people, which mentioned our nation and leaders and the Church in the U.S.
The theme word for Ruth one is the Hebrew word translated "return" in the chapter (though it has other English meanings as well). The word has a rich theological use in Scripture, but there are two in particular that came to mind as I reflected upon Jon's sermon: (I've dashed the translated word from the Hebrew)
2 Chronicles 7:13-14
If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and ---turn--- from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Isaiah 55:11
So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not ---return--- to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
Pastor Jon emphasized the faith of Naomi--that she believed God was responsible for all of her circumstances, her griefs, her sufferings; and yet she desired to send forth her daughters-in-law with the blessing of God upon them. Indeed, even Ruth, the pagan "Moabitess" (as Jon put it) attached herself not simply to Naomi, but to her God, the LORD, or YHWH the Covenant God. Would Ruth had been willing to enjoin herself to YHWH had Naomi been embittered against God, as opposed to being embittered against the hardships of life brought about by sin, by the lack of peace (shalom) in this life? It is hard to think so.
The text does not say that Naomi had been unfaithful to God, and therefore was under judgment. We might speculate on the significance of her husband choosing to leave Israel in order to seek food in Moab during the drought rather than trusting the LORD and staying in Bethlehem (the "House of Bread"). But even if such were the case, it would not be Naomi's sin that brought her household into its desperate situation. Instead, what Naomi's circumstances revealed was God mercy in the midst of Naomi's suffering. She lost what was dearest to her, but gained something in return--the revelation and companionship of a faithful daughter-in-law, the return to her homeland, and the blessings of God upon her household forever (for Christ would come from her household).
Why was the land under a famine? Why is it that we experience a drought in our land today? Perhaps its meaning is impenetrable, or perhaps God is sending calamities our way because we as the Church have ceded our responsibility to cultivate ourselves, our families, our communities, our States, and our nation for His glory and according to His Law. It need not be an either/or conclusion by the way.
The true path through circumstances of any kind is recognition of who God is, who we are in light of who He is, and what He commands from us because of who He is and what we are. Naomi went home because her people and her God were present in a land--even a land where everyone did what was right in their own eyes. It was the promised land. We know that our promised land is yet to come, but we have our marching orders in this land--to cultivate it for the coming of the King. Repentance also requires recognition--recognition and a return to the sound basis of God's Word. May it be our one and only source of truth, of hope, of direction in this life. For by God's promise His Word does not return empty, but will accomplish all of His aims and purposes.
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