Daily Digest

5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

Verse 9 is one of those “everyone knows” kind of verses. A good Sunday School verse. I forgot that this verse starts with the word “But…”  It means I need to know verse 8 as well.

“If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.”

How often have I done that. I think I’m ok. I justify my actions and decisions by saying they’re not that bad. Life sometimes get murky and grey.

I don’t want to be a dogmatic, black and white kind of Christian but when it comes to sin it’s either one or the other. I can’t be speeding and not speeding at the same time. I’m either lying or I’m telling the truth. I’m either stealing or not stealing. Sin can’t be wrong and right at the same time.

Lord help me not be a fool when it comes to sin. Help me see the right path and have the courage and conviction to take it. I can’t begin to thank you for the forgiveness and cleansing I receive through Jesus when I get it wrong.     Amen

Written by Boudy van Noppen

29 So Queen Esther, daughter of Abihail, along with Mordecai the Jew, wrote with full authority to confirm this second letter concerning Purim. 30 And Mordecai sent letters to all the Jews in the 127 provinces of Xerxes’ kingdom—words of goodwill and assurance— 31 to establish these days of Purim at their designated times, as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had decreed for them, and as they had established for themselves and their descendants in regard to their times of fasting and lamentation. 32 Esther’s decree confirmed these regulations about Purim, and it was written down in the records. 10 King Xerxes imposed tribute throughout the empire, to its distant shores. 2 And all his acts of power and might, together with a full account of the greatness of Mordecai, whom the king had promoted, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Media and Persia? 3 Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.

It’s quite amazing that thousands of years later, the feast of Purim is still held annually by those of Jewish faith. The only feast recorded that was not appointed by God but one which He fully approved as we have it’s record preserved.

This story is really about two ordinary family members living their lives in the circumstances they find themselves in, being faithful to their belief in the sovereignty of God over the affairs of men. Stepping out and stepping up in courage, wisdom and perseverance, resulting in an extraordinary event which saved the  Jewish nation. Esther and Mordecai were nation changers.

We may never know how our actions, prayers or lives may play out in history but we can be certain that as we remain faithful to God, loving Him with all our heart, soul and mind (Matt 22:37), He will use our lives for His purposes, just as He used Esther and Mordecai.

Lord may we always keep our focus on you, use our lives to bring about your purposes for your people and Kingdom.

Written by Suzie Hodgson

9 On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, the edict commanded by the king was to be carried out. On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but now the tables were turned and the Jews got the upper hand over those who hated them. 2 The Jews assembled in their cities in all the provinces of King Xerxes to attack those determined to destroy them. No one could stand against them, because the people of all the other nationalities were afraid of them. 3 And all the nobles of the provinces, the satraps, the governors and the king’s administrators helped the Jews, because fear of Mordecai had seized them. 4 Mordecai was prominent in the palace; his reputation spread throughout the provinces, and he became more and more powerful. 5 The Jews struck down all their enemies with the sword, killing and destroying them, and they did what they pleased to those who hated them. 6 In the citadel of Susa, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men. 7 They also killed Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, 8 Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha, 9 Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai and Vaizatha, 10 the ten sons of Haman son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews. But they did not lay their hands on the plunder. 11 The number of those killed in the citadel of Susa was reported to the king that same day. 12 The king said to Queen Esther, “The Jews have killed and destroyed five hundred men and the ten sons of Haman in the citadel of Susa. What have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces? Now what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? It will also be granted.” 13 “If it pleases the king,” Esther answered, “give the Jews in Susa permission to carry out this day’s edict tomorrow also, and let Haman’s ten sons be impaled on poles.” 14 So the king commanded that this be done. An edict was issued in Susa, and they impaled the ten sons of Haman. 15 The Jews in Susa came together on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar, and they put to death in Susa three hundred men, but they did not lay their hands on the plunder. 16 Meanwhile, the remainder of the Jews who were in the king’s provinces also assembled to protect themselves and get relief from their enemies. They killed seventy-five thousand of them but did not lay their hands on the plunder. 17 This happened on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, and on the fourteenth they rested and made it a day of feasting and joy. 18 The Jews in Susa, however, had assembled on the thirteenth and fourteenth, and then on the fifteenth they rested and made it a day of feasting and joy. 19 That is why rural Jews—those living in villages—observe the fourteenth of the month of Adar as a day of joy and feasting, a day for giving presents to each other.

Two of King Xerxes decrees came into effect on the same day. One decree allowed the enemies of the Jews to go into battle against them while the other allowed the Jews to defend themselves. This battle was to take place across the 127 provinces of Persia. The expected wiping out of the Jewish people did not occur. The reverse happened – the Jews were overwhelmingly victorious! The enemies of the Jews were afraid of them largely because of the reputation and influence of Queen Esther and Mordecai. In fact, rather than standing against, the nobles, officials and governors came to the assistance of the Jewish people. The Festival of Purim commemorates this victory to this day.

On first glance this passage speaks of God’s sovereignty and his care of his people. This is true of our lives as well. We can never be reminded enough that God loves and cares for us. What also can’t be shied away from is the battle! Bringing God’s purposes to pass will bring opposition. For Queen Esther and Mordecai this purpose was life preservation for the Jewish people who lived in the provinces of Persia under King Xerxes rule. Whatever our purpose we can be encouraged by their stand and their ultimate victory.

Dear God, thank you for your sovereignty in our lives. Help us to bring about your purpose in our lives Amen.

Written by Ps. Ainslie Woods

8 That same day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came into the presence of the king, for Esther had told how he was related to her. 2 The king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and presented it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed him over Haman’s estate. 3 Esther again pleaded with the king, falling at his feet and weeping. She begged him to put an end to the evil plan of Haman the Agagite, which he had devised against the Jews. 4 Then the king extended the gold scepter to Esther and she arose and stood before him. 5 “If it pleases the king,” she said, “and if he regards me with favor and thinks it the right thing to do, and if he is pleased with me, let an order be written overruling the dispatches that Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, devised and wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king’s provinces. 6 For how can I bear to see disaster fall on my people? How can I bear to see the destruction of my family?” 7 King Xerxes replied to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, “Because Haman attacked the Jews, I have given his estate to Esther, and they have impaled him on the pole he set up. 8 Now write another decree in the king’s name in behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal it with the king’s signet ring—for no document written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring can be revoked.”

How does one approach a king?

Verses 3-6 show Esther falling at the king’s feet, weeping and begging him to help her. She then very humbly requests that the king prevent her people from being destroyed.

I don’t know that I’ve ever fallen on my knees weeping and begging (except maybe as a toddler chucking a tantrum!). However, the point is not the act itself, but the heart behind it. Esther was so passionate for her people, so committed to their wellbeing and survival, and yet unable to help them by her own strength. She needed the king to intervene and yet she recognised that he had no obligation to do so. She approached him passionately, yet humbly.

It’s uncommon for any of us to have mass genocides to prevent (phew!) But there are purposes and priorities God has put in our lives which demand our passion, our commitment, and our weeping and begging before our King. God is good and gracious, and thankfully He isn’t limited by our poor attitudes when we try and do it in our own strength. But these verses should encourage us to recognise our place in His kingdom, and to approach Him accordingly – with passionate humility.

God, thank You that You reign. You are King, You are Lord, You are sovereign. Help us as Your people to approach you with both passion and humility, as we seek Your intervention in our lives.

Written by Matt Samperi

6 That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. 2 It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. 3 “What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” the king asked. “Nothing has been done for him,” his attendants answered. 4 The king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about impaling Mordecai on the pole he had set up for him. 5 His attendants answered, “Haman is standing in the court.” “Bring him in,” the king ordered. 6 When Haman entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?” Now Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?” 7 So he answered the king, “For the man the king delights to honor, 8 have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. 9 Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!’” 10 “Go at once,” the king commanded Haman. “Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.” 11 So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!” 12 Afterward Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief, 13 and told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely come to ruin!” 14 While they were still talking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet Esther had prepared.

This passage shows the king recognising where honour is due, and giving it generously. Mordecai warned the king about Bigthana and Teresh’s plans to kill him, so the king wanted Mordecai to be honoured well. I am particularly drawn to the word, “Quick!” (in vs 10), as this indicates that the king wanted to waste no time in recognising Mordecai’s deeds.

I am encouraged by this passage, to look at the people in my world and become more aware of where they deserve honour and acknowledgment for what they do. This king was prompt and generous in his honouring of Mordecai, and that is what I desire to be to those where it is due. This means being more outwardly focused.

God, I thank You for calling us to spur each other on in life. Please help me to see the people around me who I can bring honour to and show my appreciation towards. In Jesus’ name.

Written by Laura Samperi

4 When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. 2 But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it. 3 In every province to which the edict and order of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. Many lay in sackcloth and ashes. 4 When Esther’s eunuchs and female attendants came and told her about Mordecai, she was in great distress. She sent clothes for him to put on instead of his sackcloth, but he would not accept them. 5 Then Esther summoned Hathak, one of the king’s eunuchs assigned to attend her, and ordered him to find out what was troubling Mordecai and why. 6 So Hathak went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king’s gate. 7 Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews. 8 He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to instruct her to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people. 9 Hathak went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said. 10 Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, 11 “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.” 12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” 15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” 17 So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions.

Anyone who has ever faced something overwhelmingly unjust, or a situation where events are completely out of your own control, will have glimpsed Mordecai and Esther’s world. I have never been a royal queen like Esther, but I think at times we all face situations that are much bigger than we are and over which we seem to have no control. It is reasonable to question ‘where is God?’ in the midst of a crisis when feelings are running high. But the answer to that is easy. God is ALWAYS there and has already dealt with everything. Mordecai did not know how, but he definitely knew that God had a plan. He was confident in the big picture – God would rescue the Jews.

So in the middle of the crisis, when there seems to be no hope, are you and I prepared to step up and be brave and trust God? Esther had no way of knowing she wouldn’t be killed for approaching the King, but she was challenged to be brave (ie do it scared but do it anyway) and play her part. The ‘brave’ thing is trusting God, the outworking of that faith and trust is the actions that we take. Esther could have said ‘no’, God would have found another way. But by choosing to step up Esther was rewarded with being able to help save her people and her inspiring actions have gone down in history.

Are we trusting God, regardless of the situation or how we feel? Our challenges may not be as big as Esther’s, but big or small God calls us to trust in Him. Are you and I prepared to be brave and step up to play our part in God’s plans when the time comes?

Lord God help me keep my eyes on you. Help me to be brave and act with your wisdom and grace. Help me Lord to trust in you at all times. In Jesus name. Amen

Written by Christine Knight

7 In the twelfth year of King Xerxes, in the first month, the month of Nisan, the pur (that is, the lot) was cast in the presence of Haman to select a day and month. And the lot fell on[a] the twelfth month, the month of Adar. 8 Then Haman said to King Xerxes, “There is a certain people dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom who keep themselves separate. Their customs are different from those of all other people, and they do not obey the king’s laws; it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. 9 If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will give ten thousand talents[b] of silver to the king’s administrators for the royal treasury.” 10 So the king took his signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. 11 “Keep the money,” the king said to Haman, “and do with the people as you please.”

As we dive down to the low point of this story I am reminded that evil sometimes looks like it is winning. In fact this part of the story goes further, not only is evil succeeding but those who are being faithful to God are being singled out to be the recipients of disaster.

These are the moments we most ask ‘why?’

No answer is found in this short passage of scripture. I must read on in the story, hoping that the author has a plot change in store. This is the message to me: in life I must trust and hope in the Author of my salvation. If my life takes a plot twist where evil is winning and faithfulness seems futile, I must hang on to the Author, knowing that this is not the end of His story!

Author of my salvation, right now I see that not all is right, much evil needs to be overturned. Thank you for destroying the evil in my life, increase my hope for your Kingdom to come and your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Written by Andrew Mellor

19 When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate. 20 But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai’s instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up. 21 During the time Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, became angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. 22 But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai. 23 And when the report was investigated and found to be true, the two officials were impaled on poles. All this was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the king.

Esther was a foreigner in the king’s palace. She was hiding her identity from those around her, and I imagine that in the palace there was always someone around her. The text does not speak to it, but I wonder if it was difficult to hide her identity? I wonder if she felt like a foreigner? I wonder if there were customs and practices that offended her or violated her sense of what was sacred? I wonder if she felt alone or not truly accepted?

How vital Mordecai would have been to her in the palace. Someone who knew her, who loved her and was for her, because of who she was rather than her physical appearance or political status.

Thank you God that Mordecai captures something of your character. You know us, love us and accept us for who we are, rather than our appearance or usefulness. We’re your family. Help me to be like Mordecai, a person with whom others can rest, knowing that they are loved and accepted for who they are, sons and daughters of the Most High God. Amen.

Written by Bethany Waugh

2 Later when King Xerxes’ fury had subsided, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what he had decreed about her. 2 Then the king’s personal attendants proposed, “Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king. 3 Let the king appoint commissioners in every province of his realm to bring all these beautiful young women into the harem at the citadel of Susa. Let them be placed under the care of Hegai, the king’s eunuch, who is in charge of the women; and let beauty treatments be given to them. 4 Then let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.” This advice appealed to the king, and he followed it. 5 Now there was in the citadel of Susa a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, named Mordecai son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, 6 who had been carried into exile from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, among those taken captive with Jehoiachin king of Judah. 7 Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This young woman, who was also known as Esther, had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died. 8 When the king’s order and edict had been proclaimed, many young women were brought to the citadel of Susa and put under the care of Hegai. Esther also was taken to the king’s palace and entrusted to Hegai, who had charge of the harem. 9 She pleased him and won his favor. Immediately he provided her with her beauty treatments and special food. He assigned to her seven female attendants selected from the king’s palace and moved her and her attendants into the best place in the harem. 10 Esther had not revealed her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had forbidden her to do so. 11 Every day he walked back and forth near the courtyard of the harem to find out how Esther was and what was happening to her.

The Jews find themselves in Babylon, which is probably the last place they expected to be. After all, Israel was their promised land.

As I read this passage, I began to think of what it would have been like to be a Jew in this story. Where was God? Had he abandoned them? What about his promises to Abraham? And to David? The king was no longer on the throne, in fact he was a slave to the Babylon King.  Cut of from their land, did they have a future?

The big question is, where was God in all of this?

God was there, even if they didn’t see him. God was definitely at work, putting key people into key positions for events that were yet to happen.

This particular story is how Ester was positioned by God, to be the next queen. Why Ester? She had no idea now, but later she would.

I have also asked the same question, where is God in all of this – in my life when things are not as I expected or planned?

Even though Esther had no idea what was to come, God was working things out for Israel. Specific moves – Esther to queen (sounds like chess) to counter the move Haman would later make against the Jews.

In the same way, God is working on my behalf, for things that are ahead of me that I don’t yet see.

God’s promise to us never changes – that he causes all things to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Father I thank you that you are at work on my behalf. I don’t need to know how, but I trust you, because you do.

Written by Andrew Martin

1 This is what happened during the time of Xerxes, the Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush: 2 At that time King Xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of Susa, 3 and in the third year of his reign he gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials. The military leaders of Persia and Media, the princes, and the nobles of the provinces were present. 4 For a full 180 days he displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty. 5 When these days were over, the king gave a banquet, lasting seven days, in the enclosed garden of the king’s palace, for all the people from the least to the greatest who were in the citadel of Susa. 6 The garden had hangings of white and blue linen, fastened with cords of white linen and purple material to silver rings on marble pillars. There were couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and other costly stones. 7 Wine was served in goblets of gold, each one different from the other, and the royal wine was abundant, in keeping with the king’s liberality. 8 By the king’s command each guest was allowed to drink with no restrictions, for the king instructed all the wine stewards to serve each man what he wished. 9 Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in the royal palace of King Xerxes.

Although I have read this narrative many times, I’ve never really stopped to take note of the level of detail in the early part of this chapter, which sets up the whole story.

For instance, I noticed for the first time that King Xerxes held celebrations and feasts for all of the nobles of the region that lasted 180 days – about 6 months of partying! Some of the things that we read about later in the book of Esther make a sense when read in this context.

There is an old saying “the devil is in the detail”. Wikipedia tells me that this idiom is said to be derived from an earlier phrase “God is in the detail”, expressing the idea that details are important.

As we continue to read the book of Esther we will see that indeed, God is in the detail, in that He uses all of the many details of this story to bring about His purposes for His people.

I can certainly testify to this experience in my own life – God can and has worked things together for His good purposes even when I had no idea what He was up to.

I am grateful that God is in the detail!

Written by Shelley Witt

7 (Now in earlier times in Israel, for the redemption and transfer of property to become final, one party took off his sandal and gave it to the other. This was the method of legalizing transactions in Israel.) 8 So the guardian-redeemer said to Boaz, “Buy it yourself.” And he removed his sandal. 9 Then Boaz announced to the elders and all the people, “Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelek, Kilion and Mahlon. 10 I have also acquired Ruth the Moabite, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property, so that his name will not disappear from among his family or from his hometown. Today you are witnesses!” 11 Then the elders and all the people at the gate said, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the family of Israel. May you have standing in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. 12 Through the offspring the Lord gives you by this young woman, may your family be like that of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah.”

I love Boaz. He’s such a compassionate, honourable man.

He probably could have simply married Ruth, but he takes an enormous risk in offering both Naomi’s property and Ruth to the closer relative. Fulfilling both the spirit and the letter of the law, down to every detail of witnesses and sandals was important to him. In the process he not only redeems Ruth, he also redeems her inheritance and the promise for Ruth and her children.

He’s another of those people that God puts throughout the Old Testament who are pictures of Jesus: Jesus who fulfilled both the spirit and every letter of the law; Jesus who paid an enormous price to redeem me, to bring me back into my rightful family (with God as father); and Jesus who redeemed my inheritance and promise and future.

I love Jesus too. I love that he redeemed me in just the right way. There is no legal loop hole that I can fall through.

Written by David Cornell

6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do. 7 When Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he went over to lie down at the far end of the grain pile. Ruth approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down. 8 In the middle of the night something startled the man; he turned—and there was a woman lying at his feet! 9 “Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family.” 10 “The Lord bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. 11 And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character. 12 Although it is true that I am a guardian-redeemer of our family, there is another who is more closely related than I. 13 Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to do his duty as your guardian-redeemer, good; let him redeem you. But if he is not willing, as surely as the Lord lives I will do it. Lie here until morning.” 14 So she lay at his feet until morning, but got up before anyone could be recognized; and he said, “No one must know that a woman came to the threshing floor.” 15 He also said, “Bring me the shawl you are wearing and hold it out.” When she did so, he poured into it six measures of barley and placed the bundle on her. Then he went back to town. 16 When Ruth came to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked, “How did it go, my daughter?” Then she told her everything Boaz had done for her 17 and added, “He gave me these six measures of barley, saying, ‘Don’t go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’” 18 Then Naomi said, “Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today.”

This passage of scripture, with some straightforward observations speaks really loudly.

The first for me is the way Ruth describes herself.  Previously Ruth was introduced to us as Ruth the Moabitess or as Naomi’s daughter in law.  Now, as Ruth is beginning to get on with her life she describes herself as Boaz’s servant.  Here is Ruth describing her future.  She is proposing marriage, by lying at his feet, and this description doesn’t reflect on her past, or her nationality, it is future focused, vision oriented.

How do you describe yourself?  Do you do so in relation to others, I am the son of, the daughter of, the employee of, the friend of.  There is nothing wrong with this of course.  Do you describe yourself in relation to your role, husband, father, mother, wife, builder, plumber, doctor, accountant… again nothing wrong here.  Or do you describe yourself with the future in mind?

In different situations we describe ourselves differently, at work, at church, at home, in a team.

Yet there is an important power to describing ourselves with the vision of God in mind.  How often do you do this – for Ruth it was “I am your servant…”  Speaking what we believe is a powerful principle of faith (2 Corinthians 4:13)  Let’s continue to practice this principle.

Father, fill our mouths with vision that we speak out over our lives!

Written by Ps. Richard Botta

14 At mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come over here. Have some bread and dip it in the wine vinegar.” When she sat down with the harvesters, he offered her some roasted grain. She ate all she wanted and had some left over. 15 As she got up to glean, Boaz gave orders to his men, “Let her gather among the sheaves and don’t reprimand her. 16 Even pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up, and don’t rebuke her.” 17 So Ruth gleaned in the field until evening. Then she threshed the barley she had gathered, and it amounted to about an ephah. 18 She carried it back to town, and her mother-in-law saw how much she had gathered. Ruth also brought out and gave her what she had left over after she had eaten enough. 19 Her mother-in-law asked her, “Where did you glean today? Where did you work? Blessed be the man who took notice of you!” Then Ruth told her mother-in-law about the one at whose place she had been working. “The name of the man I worked with today is Boaz,” she said. 20 “The Lord bless him!” Naomi said to her daughter-in-law. “He has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead.” She added, “That man is our close relative; he is one of our guardian-redeemers.” 21 Then Ruth the Moabite said, “He even said to me, ‘Stay with my workers until they finish harvesting all my grain.’” 22 Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, “It will be good for you, my daughter, to go with the women who work for him, because in someone else’s field you might be harmed.” 23 So Ruth stayed close to the women of Boaz to glean until the barley and wheat harvests were finished. And she lived with her mother-in-law.

Boaz continues to provide food & opportunity for Ruth to work & harvest from his fields. It is not until the end of the day that Ruth finds out who Boaz is – a relative.

I see in these paragraphs a story of reputation. Ruth’s reputation has gone before her – her faithfulness and loyalty precedes her and has been told to Boaz. Boaz’s responds to Ruth’s reputation and shows kindness, safety and generosity towards her due to her relationship with Naomi. His reputation is now forever recorded.

Kindness, faithfulness, loyalty, generosity & security – I have thought about these character traits and wondered about my reputation, what precedes me to others? Am I showing Christ like character? How do I respond to others … is it in kindness, generosity, do I offer security to others, am I loyal and faithful in my relationships?

Father thank you that you have challenged me through the character of both Ruth and Boaz, that reputation is something to be valued and guarded and more importantly it is to be a reflection of you in my life.

Written by Suzie Hodgson