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When Ruth went with Naomi to her mother-in-law's homeland, she also adopted her faith. She went out in the fields to glean, and the field-owner, Boaz, came out and greeted his workers with, "The LORD be with you!"
This is telling, because it says that Boaz is Jewish, one who follows the Lord's command to care for the widow, the orphan, and the alien. It means he follows the commands of the Torah, which tells farmers to leave behind the grains they drop, to leave some of the olives on the tree, and to leave some of the grapes on the vine. When she heard this greeting, Ruth knew that she would be safe and would get to eat.
We follow the Lord. If someone encountered you, would they know they were safe in your presence? Would they know they had found someone to feed them? Would they know they had encountered someone who cared for the widow, the orphan, and the alien?
Prayer: Holy God, you made all children of the earth in your image. Help us to see your face in those who need the most. Show us how to provide safety and food for all our neighbors. In the name of the one who welcomes all to the banquet, we pray. Amen.
- Jeannie Hunter,
Nashville, TN
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