Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“So she went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law had instructed her. When Boaz had eaten and drunk, and he was in a contented mood, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. Then she came stealthily and uncovered his feet, and lay down.”
NL Daily Devotion for Tuesday, August 30, 2022
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
Cue the “Mission Impossible” theme song. Can you just imagine Stealth Ruth sneaking into the threshing floor? I can’t imagine Boaz was the only person passed out in this “men only” club. I mean, did he (and others) always sleep there during the harvest since they were threshing day and night? How dark was it? Was there a risk of tripping on someone or something? If it was dark, how did she figure out which pile of barley he was napping next to? I don’t mean to make too much light of it, but it makes me happy to think of this being just one more layer of Ruth’s character.
And then this whole business of uncovering the man’s feet—we all know it’s not his actual feet she uncovered. It’s a euphemism. So, like, what was the guy wearing that she could just pull it aside and leave him vulnerable like that?
And what on earth must have been going through her mind at that point? I mean this was crazy, right? She had no idea what was going to happen. Or maybe she did—maybe the absolute worst that could happen was that he sent her away or risk ruining both their reputations. But maybe not. It’s hard not to run this situation through the lens of modern sexual norms and come up with WHAT?!?
Once again: Ruth=Strong and faithful. Badass even.
What’s the craziest thing I’ve ever done for all the right reasons?
