Stroll through Scripture for Sunday, May 31, 2026

Based on Ruth 1:1-22

We’re about to move into a new phase in the Narrative Lectionary.  The post-Pentecost schedule of the Narrative Lectionary allows us to take a deep dive into specific books of the Bible.  First, we’ll start with Ruth and Esther – two books named after important female figures in Scripture.  

It’s important to keep in mind that ancient names have meaning.  Ruth, for example can mean friend and/or compassion, and sometimes is defined as compassionate friend. This sets the tone for the entire book and what it will be about.  Ruth, at her core, is a compassionate and devoted individual who goes above and beyond the usual bonds of friendship.  

Her story is one of facing great hardships and making difficult choices.  And fortunately, she turns out well as a result of God watching over her. 

In this first section of the book of Ruth, we hear about the misfortune that falls on Ruth, her sister-in-law, and her mother-in-law.  In the ancient culture of the time, losing one’s husband, along with the other male relatives, would leave these widows in a dire position with no hope of long-term survival.  

As we read in the story, Ruth insists on going with Naomi back to Bethlehem.  They arrive, we are told, at the beginning of the barley harvest.  Judaism has a wide variety of agricultural festivals.  It is likely that the women arrive sometime around the Festival of Reaping or the Festival of the First Fruits.  Often, in modern Judaism, this section of Ruth is read around Shavuot, which is the festival of Weeks (or Pentecost).  

Chapter 1 of Ruth is about tragedy and loyalty, as I wrote earlier.  It is setting the stage for the main part of the story.  It also lays a foundation of humble roots for David, much later, as Ruth is David’s great-grandmother.  She is also one of five women named in Jesus’ lineage.  The fact that she is from Moab is significant.  Part of Jesus’ own family line comes from outside of Judea.  A consistent theme of Scripture is about welcoming the stranger and foreigner.  How fitting that Jesus’ own personal story would include a story about welcoming the foreigner.