Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“And now, my daughter, do not be afraid, I will do for you all that you ask, for all the assembly of my people know that you are a worthy woman.”
NL Daily Devotion for Thursday, June 18, 2026
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
I wonder how they knew. Word must have spread about Ruth throughout the community of Bethlehem. Maybe there was a behind-the-scenes story arc about the way the people’s perception of her developed. When she arrived, she was most likely defined as a “foreigner.” People probably wondered why she’d bothered to come to Bethlehem after her husband died in Moab. But chances are people well remembered Naomi, who had grown up and married there, and maybe they were impressed at Ruth’s bravery, as I am. And then were further impressed when they came to understand the sacrifice Ruth had made in order to care for her mother-in-law. From there, after Boaz met her and, as I suspect, started crushing on her pretty hard, word probably spread about her industriousness in gleaning, her not falling into some sordid relationship with a local man, her scrupulous following of the norms of life in Israel.
I wonder if public opinion might have shifted had anyone know what she was now doing—sneaking around at night, uncovering a man’s nakedness, asking him to marry her (basically). How forward can you be? But Boaz doesn’t see it that way. In his eyes, this is just one more way that she is faithful to Naomi, compassionate and caring, and yes, a worthy woman. Sometimes you have to be bold in order to get what is needed.
When have I stuck my neck out for the sake of bringing flourishing to myself or others?
