In the days when the judges ruled...
If you know the book of Judges you know it was a time of moral, social, and political chaos. Read the last few chapters of Judges. It's not a pretty sight.
And there, in the midst of that shitshow, in the days when the judges ruled, we have this moving story of small acts of fidelity, protection, and care. First, we see Ruth taking care of Naomi. Later, Boaz taking care of Ruth.
This care and protection is beautifully captured in the imagery of God's covering "wings." When Boaz first meets Ruth he says:
"May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”
Later, Ruth refers back to this imagery of God's protective wings when she asks Boaz to act as the family redeemer:
Boaz said, “Who are you?” And Ruth answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.”
I'd like to make two points.
First, most of the time, let's admit it, the world is a shitshow. Just like we see in the book of Judges. We live in a time of moral, social, and political chaos. But that doesn't mean we can't make a meaningful difference. The scale of our action is simply the scale of the action in the book of Ruth. Personal, face to face, direct. We often despair because we're looking at the chaos all around us and taking our eyes off of that vulnerable person within our reach.
Second, we are the wings of God. Boaz praised Ruth because she sought protection under the wings of Israel's God. And Boaz became those very wings.
So, be the wings of God. Even in, especially in, the days when the judges rule.
