A Note From Rob ...
Week of November 8, 2009
Recently I read a story about two women who had no rights to inherit property. It seems the laws of
government had seen fit to deny these two women property that according to common sense should be theirs.
As a result they were out on the street and fending for themselves as best they could. It was a minute by
minute and day to day existence. The older and wiser of the two saw a way around the law that prevented them
from property ownership and security. The younger and prettier of the two had a better chance of doing what she
had to do, if you know what I mean.
The older of the two told the younger to make herself physically attractive and desirable. And when the
man they had chosen had had his fill of food and drink and was in “good spirits”, then go present her fine self to
him in hopes she might catch his eye. That would be their way into the big house on the hill and off of the streets.
She had a child with the man and found security and standing in the community. Both women were secure.
responses to the story might be many. A married man having a child with an unmarried woman! How
about a woman tricking a man to get something? Or the older putting the younger up to such? The moral outrage
that “religious” folks can muster can be loud and powerful.
But what about the moral concern for the laws that prevented women from inheriting property? They had
no legal rights. The rules were set up against women. They could not inherit property.
I read this story in the book of Ruth from the Old Testament, one of our Lectionary readings this Sunday. It
seems that Ruth, the young attractive and desirable woman in our story and Boaz, the man chosen to meet the needs
of the women, had a son who was the great-grandfather of Kind David from whose linage Jesus was born.
Maybe that is why the story is told. Many say it was to show Ruth’s fidelity to Naomi and Yahweh, no
doubt true. But can it also tell us about how we often allow the “rules” to set up situations that are immoral or lead
individuals and groups to desperation? What does the text tell us about our relationship to one another, as well as to
God?
Naomi, Boaz and Ruth found a way around the law, a loop hole, so to speak. This has gone on through out
history and will continue to do so until the justice and mercy are wed.
I hope to see you Sunday.
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