9 Speak, For Your Servant Is Listening

In the time when the judges ruled and the turned further and further away from God, a man named Elimelech, from Bethlehem in Judah, went to live in the country of with his wife, , and two sons, Mahlon and Chilion. Mahlon and Chilion met and married two Moabite women, and . But Elimelech, Mahlon, and Chilion all died in Moab, leaving Naomi without her husband or her two sons. So Naomi decided to leave Moab and return to her home in Judah, where she had learned that the Lord had heard the cry of the people and lifted the famine that afflicted the land.

NAOMI AND HER DAUGHTERS-IN-LAW So Naomi set out from the place where she had been living, she and her two daughters-in-law, and they went on their way to go back to the land of Judah. But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back each of you to your mother’s house. May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you 108 | THE PATH: A JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE Speak, For Your Servant Is Listening | 109 have dealt with the dead and with me. The Lord grant that you Now Naomi had a kinsman on her husband’s side, a prominent may find security, each of you in the house of your husband.” rich man, of the family of Elimelech, whose name was . Then she kissed them, and they wept aloud. They said to her, And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the field “No, we will return with you to your people.” But Naomi said, and glean among the ears of grain, behind “Turn back, my daughters, why will you go with me? Do I still someone in whose sight I may find favor.” POINT OF INTEREST have sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? She said to her, “Go, my daughter.” So she Gleaning is the practice of collecting leftover crops from Turn back, my daughters, go your way, for I am too old to went. She came and gleaned in the field the fields after the workers have a husband. Even if I thought there was hope for me, even behind the reapers. As it happened, she have done their picking. In if I should have a husband tonight and bear sons, would you came to the part of the field belonging to fact, Leviticus 23:22 then wait until they were grown? Would you then refrain from Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech. and Deuteronomy 24:19-22 marrying? No, my daughters, it has been far more bitter for me Just then Boaz came from Bethlehem. He command workers to be than for you, because the hand of the Lord has turned against said to the reapers, “The Lord be with sure not to pick everything me.” Then they wept aloud again. Orpah kissed her mother-in- you.” They answered, “The Lord bless when they harvest, so that law, but Ruth clung to her. you.” Then Boaz said to his servant who there will be plenty left was in charge of the reapers, “To whom behind for the poor. So she said, “See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people does this young woman belong?” The and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” But Ruth said, servant who was in charge of the reapers answered, “She is “Do not press me to leave you the Moabite who came back with Naomi from the country of or to turn back from following you! Moab. She said, ‘Please, let me glean and gather among the Where you go, I will go; sheaves behind the reapers.’ So she came, and she has been on where you lodge, I will lodge; her feet from early this morning until now, without resting even your people shall be my people, for a moment.” and your God my God. Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Now listen, my daughter, do not go Where you die, I will die— to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my there will I be buried. young women. Keep your eyes on the field that is being reaped, May the Lord do thus and so to me, and follow behind them. I have ordered the young men not to and more as well, bother you. If you get thirsty, go to the vessels and drink from if even death parts me from you!” what the young men have drawn.” Then she fell prostrate, with When Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she her face to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found said no more to her. favor in your sight, that you should take notice of me, when I am a foreigner?” But Boaz answered her, “All that you have So Naomi returned together with Ruth the Moabite, her done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband daughter-in-law, who came back with her from the country of has been fully told me, and how you left your father and mother Moab. They came to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley and your native land and came to a people that you did not harvest. know before. May the Lord reward you for your deeds, and may 110 | THE PATH: A JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE Speak, For Your Servant Is Listening | 111 you have a full reward from the Lord, the God of Israel, under to help secure Ruth’s future and came up with a plan for Ruth to whose wings you have come for refuge!” Then she said, “May go to Boaz at night, on the threshing floor, and ask Boaz for his I continue to find favor in your sight, my lord, for you have protection. Ruth did as Naomi instructed, comforted me and spoken kindly to your servant, even though and Boaz, deeply impressed by Ruth’s loyalty, SCENIC VIEW I am not one of your servants.” agreed to be her redeemer. In Israelite The custom of Levirate custom, a redeemer was the nearest relative marriage is described in At mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come here, and eat some of this of a deceased male, who married the man’s Deuteronomy 25:5-10. bread, and dip your morsel in the sour wine.” So she sat beside widow in order to carry on his dead relative’s Though this may seem strange the reapers, and he heaped up for her some parched grain. She to us, this law helped to lineage. Boaz realized that there was another ate until she was satisfied, and she had some left over. When she protect widows, who had no male relative more closely related to Naomi got up to glean, Boaz instructed his young men, “Let her glean source of income after their who had first claim on Ruth, so Boaz went even among the standing sheaves, and do not reproach her. You husbands died. to meet with the next of kin in order to come must also pull out some handfuls for her from the bundles, and to an agreement. leave them for her to glean, and do not rebuke her.” No sooner had Boaz gone up to the gate and sat down there So Ruth gleaned in the field until evening. Then she beat out than the next-of-kin, of whom Boaz had spoken, came passing what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley. She by. So Boaz said, “Come over, friend; sit down here.” And he picked it up and came into the town, and her mother-in-law went over and sat down. Then Boaz took ten men of the elders saw how much she had gleaned. Then she took out and gave of the city, and said, “Sit down here”; so they sat down. He then her what was left over after she herself had been satisfied. Her said to the next-of-kin, “Naomi, who has come back from the mother-in-law said to her, “Where did you glean today? And country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land that belonged where have you worked? Blessed be the man who took notice of to our kinsman Elimelech. So I thought I would tell you of you.” So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked, it, and say: Buy it in the presence of those sitting here, and in and said, “The name of the man with whom I worked today is the presence of the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, Boaz.” Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “Blessed be he redeem it; but if you will not, tell me, so that I may know; for by the Lord, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the there is no one prior to you to redeem it, and I come after you.” dead!” Naomi also said to her, “The man is a relative of ours, one So he said, “I will redeem it.” Then Boaz said, “The day you of our nearest kin.” Then Ruth the Moabite said, “He even said acquire the field from the hand of Naomi, you are also acquiring to me, ‘Stay close by my servants, until they have finished all my Ruth the Moabite, the widow of the dead man, to maintain the harvest.’” Naomi said to Ruth, her daughter-in-law, “It is better, dead man’s name on his inheritance.” At this, the next-of-kin my daughter, that you go out with his young women, otherwise said, “I cannot redeem it for myself without damaging my own you might be bothered in another field.” So she stayed close to inheritance. Take my right of redemption yourself, for I cannot the young women of Boaz, gleaning until the end of the barley redeem it.” and wheat harvests; and she lived with her mother-in-law. Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning Boaz continued to be kind and generous with Ruth, just as she had redeeming and exchanging: to confirm a transaction, the one been faithful and generous with her mother-in-law. Naomi wanted took off a sandal and gave it to the other; this was the manner 112 | THE PATH: A JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE Speak, For Your Servant Is Listening | 113

of attesting in Israel. So when the next-of-kin said to Boaz, year to worship the Lord of hosts at Shiloh. Though she desired a “Acquire it for yourself,” he took off his sandal. Then Boaz said child very much, Hannah was barren, which grieved her deeply. to the elders and all the people, “Today you are witnesses that Yet even in her grief, Hannah went to worship the Lord at Shiloh I have acquired from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to year after year, hoping against hope that things would change. And Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and Mahlon. I have then, one year, they did. also acquired Ruth the Moabite, the wife of Mahlon, to be my After they had eaten and drunk at Shiloh, Hannah rose and wife, to maintain the dead man’s name on his inheritance, in presented herself before the Lord. Now Eli the priest was sitting order that the name of the dead may not be cut off from his on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. kindred and from the gate of his native place; today you are [Hannah] was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord, and witnesses.” Then all the people who were at the gate, along with wept bitterly. She made this vow: “O Lord of hosts, if only you the elders, said, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the will look on the misery of your servant, and remember me, and woman who is coming into your house not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a male POINT OF INTEREST like Rachel and Leah, who together built The people and elders pray child, then I will set him before you as a nazirite until the day up the house of Israel. May you produce that Ruth will be like Rachel of his death. He shall drink neither wine nor intoxicants, and children in Ephrathah and bestow a name and Leah, two women who no razor shall touch his head.” built up the house of Israel. in Bethlehem; and, through the children Go back and read their story that the Lord will give you by this young As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her in Genesis 29-30. woman, may your house be like the house mouth. Hannah was praying silently; only her lips moved, but of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah.” her voice was not heard; therefore Eli thought she was drunk. So Eli said to her, “How long will you make a drunken spectacle of yourself? Put away your wine.” But Hannah answered, “No, THE GENEALOGY OF my lord, I am a woman deeply troubled; TRAIL CROSSING So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When they I have drunk neither wine nor strong Hannah was praying so came together, the Lord made her conceive, and she bore drink, but I have been pouring out my a son. Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, passionately that Eli thought soul before the Lord. Do not regard your she was drunk! Read Acts 2 who has not left you this day without next-of-kin; and may his servant as a worthless woman, for I have to hear another story of name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life been speaking out of my great anxiety and people praying so passionately and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law who vexation all this time.” Then Eli answered, that bystanders believed loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has borne him.” “Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the they were drunk. Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her bosom, and petition you have made to him.” And became his nurse. The women of the neighborhood gave him she said, “Let your servant find favor in your sight.” Then the a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named woman went to her quarters, ate and drank with her husband, him ; he became the father of Jesse, the father of David. and her countenance was sad no longer. Not long after this, in the nearby hill country of Ephraim, another They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord; remarkable and faithful woman was enduring great hardship. then they went back to their house at Ramah. Elkanah knew Hannah was wife to Elkanah, a faithful man who would go every 114 | THE PATH: A JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE Speak, For Your Servant Is Listening | 115 his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. In due time GOD CALLS SAMUEL Hannah conceived and bore a son. She named him Samuel, for Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under she said, “I have asked him of the Lord.” Eli. The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions The man Elkanah and all his household went up to offer to the were not widespread. At that time Eli, whose eyesight had Lord the yearly sacrifice, and to pay his vow. But Hannah did begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in not go up, for she said to her husband, “As soon as the child is his room; the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel weaned, I will bring him, that he may appear in the presence of was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of the Lord, and remain there forever; I will offer him as a nazirite God was. Then the Lord called, “Samuel! Samuel!” and he said, for all time.” Her husband Elkanah said to her, “Do what seems “Here I am!” and ran to Eli, and said, best to you, wait until you have weaned him; only—may the “Here I am, for you called me.” But he TRAIL CROSSING In the Bible, when people Lord establish his word.” So the woman remained and nursed said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So hear the voice of God, the her son, until she weaned him. When she had weaned him, he went and lay down. The Lord called again, “Samuel!” Samuel got up and went faithful response is, “Here I she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an am!” This stands in contrast to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called ephah of flour, and a skin of wine. She brought him to the to the response of Adam and me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; house of the Lord at Shiloh; and the child was young. Then they Eve in the Garden, who hide slaughtered the bull, and they brought the child to Eli. And she lie down again.” Now Samuel did not yet when they hear the voice of said, “Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who know the Lord, and the word of the Lord God (Genesis 3:8-9) Check out was standing here in your presence, praying to the Lord. For had not yet been revealed to him. The Genesis 22:1, Genesis 31:11, this child I prayed; and the Lord has granted me the petition Lord called Samuel again, a third time. Exodus 3:4, and Isaiah 6:8 to that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord; as And he got up and went to Eli, and said, hear other faithful people who long as he lives, he is given to the Lord.” She left him there for “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli respond, “Here I am!” to God. the Lord. perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if he calls Hannah returned home and sang to the Lord a song of great joy. you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” Samuel remained with Eli, ministering before the Lord, and every So Samuel went and lay down in his place. year, Hannah visited with her husband to offer their sacrifice and bring Samuel a new robe. Eli was impressed by Hannah’s Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! faithfulness and blessed her. And God blessed Hannah as well; she Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” had more children: three sons and two daughters. Then the Lord said to Samuel, “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make both ears of anyone who hears of it Unfortunately, Eli’s sons were nothing like him. They were tingle. On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken scoundrels who had no regard for God or for the duties of the priests concerning his house, from beginning to end. For I have told to the people. So God told Eli that his sons would not be the priests him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity to lead the people, and instead God would call another to be the that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he chief priest. did not restrain them. Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that 116 | THE PATH: A JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE Speak, For Your Servant Is Listening | 117 the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be expiated by sacrifice or 3. Hannah prays and longs for a son for many years. When he is offering forever.” finally born, she gives him up to serve God, and it brings her deep joy. What might we learn from her faithful example? Samuel lay there until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to 4. When Samuel hears the voice of God calling him, at first he thinks it is the voice of Eli, his trusted mentor. What does the Eli. But Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” He said, voice of God sound like to you? Has the voice of God ever “Here I am.” Eli said, “What was it that he told you? Do not spoken to you through other people? What was that hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also, if you experience like? hide anything from me of all that he told you.” So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. Then he said, “It is 5. It takes four tries for the Lord to reach Samuel. Have you ever the Lord; let him do what seems good to him.” experienced God speaking to you persistently? Has it ever taken a few attempts for God to get through? As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beer- sheba knew that Samuel was a trustworthy prophet of the Lord. NEXT STEPS The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed • After Hannah dedicates her son to God and leaves him with Eli himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord. to serve the Lord, she sings a song of praise. Read her song in 1 Samuel 2:1-10. What do you notice about her prayer? How might her example inspire and challenge you? Then read Luke 1:26-56 to hear another story about an inspiring mother and the song Scripture Citations she sings in praise of God. :7-18, 22 | 2:1-23 | 4:1-17 • Both Hannah and Ruth have to give things up in order to love 1 Samuel 1:9-28 | 2:12-13a | 3:1-21 and serve God: Ruth gives up her homeland and her family, and Hannah offers up her beloved son. Yet they both find, not resentment, but joy in offering those things to God. Reflect on QUESTIONS FOR THE JOURNEY some things that you might have given up (or might be called to let go of) in order to follow God more fully. Pray for God’s 1. Ruth famously says, “For wherever you go, I will go; wherever grace, not only to let go of those things, but also to do so with you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your a joyful heart. God my God.” This passage is often understood in the context of marriage, but that misses the larger meaning. What do you imagine it was like for Ruth to make this declaration and to do what it says? What was she giving up? What was she gaining?

2. Ruth chooses to be a part of Naomi’s family, even though they are not related by blood, and their social ties have been broken. Who are some of the people in your “family” who are related, not by blood, but by choice? What might these relationships teach us about the family of God?