RIZPAH AND OTHER UNKONWNS (Part 2) 

   Since beginning the new wonderful job GOD has given me, I've not written a single word in almost nine months, but that doesn't mean I've not contemplated a thousand things.  This one theme of "nobodies" has been on my mind for a very long time, and I knew that my previous post Rizpah and Other Unknowns Part 1 needed a part 2.  I just had to wait until the Almighty gave it to me.  This story of Naomi has been on my mind for sometime, as I myself have many times considered myself a Naomi, a Mara, bitter because of one man's decision.  Many times, I have felt abandoned by GOD, however, I know that "emotions have no intellect and facts have no feelings;" a truth my Savior taught me many, many years ago.  

    A few years back, I studied this book with my favorite TORAH teacher.  For your studying pleasure, may I suggest you listen and learn from this great teacher.  The Book of Ruth.  In that wonderful study, I learned more about this books true message from the Hebrew aspect.   When I studied it in the Christian church, I learned a completely different lesson from it.  That is true for all of Scripture.  If we do not know the true ancient Hebrew mindset from the writer's and listener's perspective, we miss the most meaningful truths from Scripture.  We must take off our 21st Century lenses, our contemporary (Christian) glasses and see it from the writer's perspective, the listener's perspective and from those living out these wonderful stories.  The premises of this post is about people who are nobodies in people's eyes, but somebodies in YHVH GOD's eyes.  The Most High has a Name, He gave it to Moses because He wanted it known to His people.  It is Yod Hey Vav Hey.  He wants His name known, and He does it with nobodies. The nobody I'm referring today is called Naomi, or Mara, in her own words. 

    This poor woman was subject to the sin of her husband and sons.  Yes, I said sin.  Her husband left the Holy land of Bethlehem and went to a foreign land, one he was told never to dwell in.  He went because of a famine, instead of trusting YHVH GOD to be his Provider. He went to provide for himself and his family.  Then, after he earned for himself, he kept his family in that foreign land instead of returning to the place from which YHVH GOD had placed him.  Not only did he commit this sin of self-reliance, but he taught his sons the same sin.  YHVH GOD's judgment fell upon him and he died.  So, what did his sons do?  Did they return to the Holy land and bring their mother home? Did they choose obedience to marry only  their own kind?  We know the answer to that.  They married Moabite women, which they knew was a sin against GOD.  So, GOD's judgment fell upon them, also.  Not only were they not allowed sons of their own in the ten years they were married, but they were taken out by GOD Himself, and rightly so.  

    Naomi, the nobody in a foreign land, who was not allowed to do her own thing in a man's world back then, did what she knew to be correct after the judgment of GOD fell upon her husband and sons.  She returned to the land which GOD told them to dwell, and she took her daughters-in-law with her, because when a daughter joins a family in marriage, they become part of that family for life.  One foolishly returned to her own land and family, but one wisely chose the better route.  Maybe she did because her mother-in-law taught her of this Wonderful GOD she worshiped and obeyed.  The nobody named Naomi submitted to the male authority in her life, her husband, because that was what was expected of her, but when GOD took away that authority, she did the next best thing, gave herself back to her Creator.  He, in turn, did not let her down, although, from her perspective, she saw it differently.  

     She saw herself cursed of GOD, but her perspective did not matter to her God, because YHVH GOD had a better plan, a better redemption that was awaiting her when she obeyed.  She was an old woman, too old to be married again in order to reproduce, but not too old to be redeemed.  The book of Ruth is the name for the book, but it is not the main theme of the book.  The book's main character and theme is really about Naomi's redemption,  and the ancient Hebrews would have known this.  Most Christians have adopted this book as a book about a gentile woman grafted in to the Israelite branch, just as they are grafted in by Yeshua into the Vine.  Sadly, some Christian denominations think they have replaced the Vine and have become the vine themselves, hence replacement theology.  Isn't it ironic that some gentile Christian churches  have replaced the true theme of a Hebrew book with a gentile main character, when the true meaning of the book is about a faithful Hebrew woman, discarded by men, but protected by YHVH GOD.  Naomi, a nobody widow who was somebody to GOD,  somebody enough for Him to rescue from a foreign land who practice pagan god worship, and brought her back to redemption through His Patriarchal Laws for the provision for women. 

    It is call the Levirate Marriage Law, and it is to protect women, because GOD honors women more than man likes to admit or obey.  I learned for over two decades that the theme of the book of Ruth is about a kinsman redeemer, a Hebrew named Boaz, for a gentile named Ruth.  Boaz  is a predecessor for a gentile's Kinsmen Redeemer who is the true Israelite Messiah for the Hebrews and also the gentiles.  Yeshua is the  Kinsman Redeemer for a people grafted into the Israelite Vine.  Gentiles are the branches grafted in, not the vine themselves.  Note, Ruth did not take Boaz home to Moab, instead, she was grafted into the Israelite religion and custom and under the Laws of Moses.  So, again, this post is about two nobodies who were rescued and redeemed by The Most High, one a true Hebrew, and one a gentile. Yet, these two nobodies, back then,  now live in infamy because of their obedience.   Ruth was just a recipient and benefactor of Naomi's obedience. We too can benefit from that spirit of obedience and humility as nobodies to men but somebodies to YHVH GOD.  Our obedience does not only benefit us, but those watching us, also.