Ruth 1 … Consider His Veritable Version

Originally posted: 10/25/2019

I gave it my best shot; I truly attempted to imagine I was reading this story of Ruth, introduced by Naomi’s story, for the first time. But I couldn’t erase from my mind the facts already ascertained.

Of course Naomi had no idea what the LORD was up to; that He was writing His story in which she would be forever commemorated as an integral part of preserving the lineage of His Chosen One, Who would one day be born of a woman.

Naomi’s temporal perspective tainted her own version of the hopeless events of her seemingly tragic life.

And temporal perspectives will do that… until we take into consideration the eternal, His perspective, the reality revealed in His Veritable Version.

Consider His Veritable Version

Veritable: true, real.
Version: a particular account of some matter, as from one person or source, contrasted with some other account.

• Naomi’s version: a famine caused her family to relocate.
  • Now it came about in the days when the judges governed, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the land of Moab with his wife and his two sons, (1:1).
• His Veritable Version: He is Sovereign in heaven and earth.
  • For I know that the Lord is great
    And that our Lord is above all gods.
    ⁶ Whatever the Lord pleases, He does,
    In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps, (Psalm 135:5-6).

• Naomi’s version: the LORD had visited others; not her.
  • Then she arose with her daughters-in-law that she might return from the land of Moab, for she had heard in the land of Moab that the Lord had visited His people in giving them food, (1:7).
• His Veritable Version: He will never fail or forsake us.
  • “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you,”  (Deuteronomy 31:6).

• Naomi’s version: the LORD’s hand was against her.
  • “…for the hand of the Lord has gone forth against me,” (1:13).
• His Veritable Version: He extends His hand in lovingkindness and truth.
  • You have a strong arm;
    Your hand is mighty, Your right hand is exalted.
    ¹⁴ Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne;
    Lovingkindness and truth go before You, (Psalm 89:13-14).
  • With a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
    For His lovingkindness is everlasting, (Psalm 136:12).

• Naomi’s version: the LORD had afflicted her with bitter emptiness.
  • “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. ²¹ I went out full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has witnessed against me and the Almighty has afflicted me?” (1:20-21).
• His Veritable Version: Even in our afflictions He is righteous and faithful, that we may learn of Him.
  • It is good for me that I was afflicted,
    That I may learn Your statutes, (Psalm 119:71).
  • I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are righteous,
    And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me, (Psalm 119:75).

• Naomi’s version: life’s events had constructed the timing of her plans.
  • So Naomi returned, and with her Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, who returned from the land of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest, (1:22).
• His Veritable Version: The LORD directs our steps in keeping with His plans.
  • The mind of man plans his way,
    But the Lord directs his steps, (Proverbs 16:9).

How do we respond to His Veritable Version?

The first chapter in the book of Ruth is succinctly depicted in one of my favorite quotes from Oswald Chamber’s, My Utmost for His Highest.

Faith by its very nature must be tested and tried. And the real trial of faith is not that we find it difficult to trust God, but that God’s character must be proven as trustworthy in our own minds.

Naomi had no idea what the LORD was up to, and so she translated it apart from His Veritable Version. Rather than understanding the truthful reality of God’s sovereignty and faithfulness in her life’s circumstances, she formed her own version, one skewed and misinterpreting God and His purposes.

May we seek Him daily in His Word to understand Who He is and His purposes, as He has revealed in Scripture.

As we go through trials, and there will be trials in this life, may we grow in our knowledge and trust of His righteous faithfulness. May we trust His Veritable Version in whatsoever state we find ourselves. We must ever defend the truth of His character, in spite of what events may scream out in opposition.

Below are some verses to consider as we seek to know Him and His purposes in our lives. As we meditate on His Word, let us pray He will strengthen and grow us in our understanding and trust of His Veritable Version throughout our temporary existence in this lifetime.

For the word of the Lord is upright,
And all His work is done in faithfulness.
He loves righteousness and justice;
The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the Lord, (Psalm 33:5-6).

You have dealt well with Your servant,
O Lord, according to Your word.
⁶⁶ Teach me good discernment and knowledge,
For I believe in Your commandments.
⁶⁷ Before I was afflicted I went astray,
But now I keep Your word.
⁶⁸ You are good and do good;
Teach me Your statutes, (Psalm 119:65-68).

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose… ³¹ What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?³² He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? (Romans 8:28, 31-32).

Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. ¹² I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. ¹³ I can do all things through Him who strengthens me, (Philippians 4:11-13).

Let’s Grow Together!