The Faith of Ruth
Nathanael Szobody on Ruth’s faith in the God of Naomi caused her to leave her people for the enemies of her people. She served Naomi with diligence and obedience. She left all that she knew and cast herself into the arms of God’s providence, and grabbed every opportunity handed to her with a tenacity of one who holds on to what they are sure of receiving. She did not receive a direct promise of God, but the voice of her mother-in-law was effectively the voice of God, mediated through the authority that God had ordained for her.
In Ruth we see the aspect of faith which is a new identity. Noah and Abraham and Joseph and many other great people of faith all received a new identity when they rested in God by faith, and this is seen most dramatically in Ruth. For her faith was not in a God who had spoken directly to her, but in a God that she knew was compassionate and faithful to those who sought him with all of their heart. And on that basis she gave up all and received all that God had promised for humanity.
Comments ( 4 )
I think you misunderstand. From what I can see Nathanael isn't even trying to say all that can be said about Ruth. That would be impossible. I personally just wrote a 12-page paper on the book of Ruth, and barely scratched the surface. Of course there's more. There always is.
But that's not the point. The point is... what do you think about N's thoughts in this specific post? Agree? Disagree? Care to add your own thoughts? That's what comments are for.
Anyway... since I've been "called out" by two people for writing on my thoughts instead of Nathanael's thoughts... and everyone should know by now that my writing is most definitely stream of consciousness most of the time, and this means that often my comments don't make sense to anyone besides me cuz no one can be inside my head knowing what train of thought brought on that comment, but that's okay, I will forcably conjure up some comments on Nathanael's writing.
I think most of what Nathanael said in the above post is correct, and undeniable, rather obvious, in fact. And there is something I'd like to say about a statement Nathanael wrote in the above post, but as that is not directly related, and only reminded me of something else, perhaps I should forgo said train of thought... So all I really have to say is this: Ruth's sense of trust is amazing and Nathanael captured its unusual clarity perfectly. It's the kind of trust one can only dream of.