June 30 She Became His Wife

Ruth 4:13-22   

So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife, and he went in to her. And the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. Then the women said to Naomi, "Blessed is the Lord who has not left you without a redeemer today, and may his name become famous in Israel. May he also be to you a restorer of life and a sustainer of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given birth to him." Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her lap, and became his nurse. The neighbor women gave him a name, saying, "A son has been born to Naomi!" So they named him Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David. Now these are the generations of Perez: to Perez was born Hezron, and to Hezron was born Ram, and to Ram, Amminadab, and to Amminadab was born Nahshon, and to Nahshon, Salmon, and to Salmon was born Boaz, and to Boaz, Obed, and to Obed was born Jesse, and to Jesse, David.

How far back can you trace your ancestors? I can only go back to my great grandparents, although that is a project that I hope to start one day soon—tracing my genealogy. With all the resources on the Internet these days it should be easier and faster than when people had to travel across country or half-way around the world to seek birth, death and marriage records. But there is something to be said for going to a cemetery and doing a rubbing of an old headstone, knowing that it marks one of your ancestor’s grave. That would be a real physical connection to the past. The genealogy provided here for Ruth and Boaz son, Obed, begins with Perez, son of Judah and Tamar, and ends with David. Judah was one of the twelve sons of Jacob, grandson of Abraham. The lineage from Adam to Jesus as listed in Luke 3 and partially in Matthew 1, includes Obed.

Spiritually we don’t keep track of our “ancestors” of those who led us to the Lord, or mentored or discipled us. It never actually occurred to me to even consider that before. The important thing is that I belong to the family of God—no blood line is necessary for that. Jesus’ blood was shed for my sin and brought me into His family. I don’t need a genealogy list for any spiritual heritage.

That was a sweet blessing that Naomi’s friends gave her. May her new grandson be a
restorer of life and a sustainer of your old age. Grandchildren have a way of giving us new life and energy—we have to have be infused with energy to keep up with them. The joy that they bring is certainly beyond measure. Spiritually they can restore us to life as we teach them about God and give them a spiritual tradition, a code by which to live. That reminds me of the old song “Teach Your Children Well” by Crosby Stills Nash and Young:

You who are on the road
Must have a code that you can live by
And so become yourself
Because the past is just a good bye.

Teach your children well,
Their father's hell did slowly go by,
And feed them on your dreams
The one they picked, the one you'll know by.

Teach your children and grandchildren well. Naomi taught Ruth to live well and she was a better daughter than seven sons. Naomi was just as the older woman described in Titus 2:3-5, Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. If you are older, or consider yourself a “mature” Christian are you teaching younger women as Paul instructed in Titus and as Naomi did? What an extraordinary wedding gift that could be!

Lord Jesus, help us to be like Ruth, obedient and willing to be a servant to others, and like Naomi, honoring You.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

June 29 – Redemption

Ruth 4:9-12 

Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, "You are witnesses today that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and Mahlon.  Moreover, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, to be my wife in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance, so that the name of the deceased will not be cut off from his brothers or from the court of his birth place; you are witnesses today." All the people who were in the court, and the elders, said, "We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, both of whom built the house of Israel; and may you achieve wealth in Ephrathah and become famous in Bethlehem. Moreover, may your house be like the house of Perez whom Tamar bore to Judah, through the offspring which the Lord will give you by this young woman."

Redeemed. That word for most American homemakers gives us an image of using a coupon to buy something. Redeem this coupon for one dollar off your favorite product. Imagine that Ruth had a coupon that said, “Redeem this coupon for a life free from poverty, for a life with honor and respect, for a heritage beyond hope, for a destiny with the King of Kings.” Would you like to have such a coupon?

Redeemed! Oh how excited Naomi and Ruth must have been when Boaz gave them the news that he was their kinsman redeemer. Now there is going to be a marriage! The witnesses gave their blessing—with hope for lots of children like Leah and Rachel, wealth, and fame. What more could anyone ask for? Ruth was blessed beyond all of that as she became part of the lineage of the very Savior of the world—Jesus.

The people at the gate were witnesses—to the redemption of Naomi’s land and Ruth’s hand in marriage. But they also witnessed more than they knew—they witnessed history in the making. The ongoing saga of the redemption of Israel—of the hope of the Meshiah (Messiah). We are witness of the miracle of God, too, or we will one day be part of the cloud of witnesses that it talks about in Hebrews 12:1-2, Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (NASB). As witnesses for and of Jesus we have a responsibility to share what He has done in our lives. Look at the ways, both big and small that Jesus works in your life daily. Can you see what He is doing? Tell someone, anyone about what is happening in your life. It is awesome to know God and to be used by Him. Are you willing to share your experiences with others, to share the love of Jesus?

Lord, thank you for redeeming us from our sin—setting us free from an eternity of grief and pain. Help us to share You and your love with those around us.  

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

June 28 – A Sandal or a Wife?

Ruth 4:4-8

"So I thought to inform you, saying, 'Buy it before those who are sitting here, and before the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if not, tell me that I may know; for there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am after you.'" And he said, "I will redeem it." Then Boaz said, "On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also acquire Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of the deceased, in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance." The closest relative said, "I cannot redeem it for myself, because I would jeopardize my own inheritance. Redeem it for yourself; you may have my right of redemption, for I cannot redeem it." Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning the redemption and the exchange of land to confirm any matter: a man removed his sandal and gave it to another; and this was the manner of attestation in Israel. So the closest relative said to Boaz, "Buy it for yourself." And he removed his sandal.

Smelly feet, smelly feet. Have you ever removed your sandals on a hot day when you’ve been out walking along a dusty pathway? The dirt and sweat can make an odor that takes your breath away—for just a second. So here’s an old Hebrew custom to savor—let me hand you my dusty smelly sandal. Rachel is not redeemed by her husband’s closest relative. He would like to have had the land—but not the responsibility of raising a child for his deceased relative, Mahlon, and of providing the inheritance for that child. So he gave the right of redemption of Naomi’s land to Boaz as he handed over his smelly sandal to Boaz.

Legalities of the Hebrew law in that day provided that the kinsman redeemer must provide an inheritance for the child being raised as the deceased’s offspring—his heir. Boaz was not previously married so he had no children that would have to share of the inheritance of Naomi’s land. It was a perfect arrangement for Ruth…and for Naomi.

Spiritually we are adopted by God. Romans 5:15-17 says, For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. As heirs of God we will receive our “inheritance” from our adopted Heavenly Father. That thought is a spiritual meal in itself! So much food for thought. What will our inheritance be? Are you among God’s adopted children? Do you realize that to be His adopted child is just as easy as confessing your sin, agreeing with God that you are a sinner—we all are! Then merely asking for His forgiveness, and accepting that forgiveness. It really is as easy as it sounds, but it takes a decision. What is your “decision”? What will be your inheritance?  

Lord God, Abba Father. I confess to you that I am a sinner, and I accept your forgiveness. Thank you for adopting me into Your family.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

June 27 – Sitting at the City Gate

Ruth 4:1-3 

Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there, and behold, the close relative of whom Boaz spoke was passing by, so he said, "Turn aside, friend, sit down here." And he turned aside and sat down. He took ten men of the elders of the city and said, "Sit down here." So they sat down. Then he said to the closest relative, "Naomi, who has come back from the land of Moab, has to sell the piece of land which belonged to our brother Elimelech.”

The ancient city of Bethlehem was walled to protect its inhabitants from attack or invasions of enemies. The gates of the city, like those in other cities at that time, served as a place to deal with public affairs, legal issues and civil actions. It was at the city gates that the elders or judges of the town held their court (Deuteronomy 16:18) and it was a convenient meeting place (2 Samuel 15:2).  

Boaz waited as the men gathered at the city gate. Here comes Ruth’s closer relative. Come and sit. We have something to discuss. There had to be ten Jewish men to witness what Boaz was about to say. Five came, then another. Boaz may have greeted each man at the gate. Benjamin, please come and sit at the city gate—hurry, Jacob and Caleb, there is business to be done. Greetings Jeroham, please join us. One more is needed—who will it be? God will provide. Ah, Shalom, Micah. Do you have time to council with us this morning? The sun is rising higher in the sky as the men discuss Naomi’s land and Ruth’s future. Boaz must wait for Ruth and Naomi’s closer relative’s decision.

We have to wait for decisions sometimes—life is not always instantaneous. If you have ever been to court, you have to wait your turn for your case to be heard. And if you are called to serve on a jury the waiting that is involved with the jury selections process is insurmountable. Patience is required because by law if you receive a jury notice, you must be there; there is nowhere else to be. Spiritually Jesus has called Himself the gate—the gate to heaven. No one can enter except through Him (John 10:9). In John 14:16, Jesus said…"I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. 

So have you come to know the Father through Jesus?

Lord God, We praise you for patience You give us as we wait for others to make decisions that affect our lives. Thank you for giving us Jesus to be the spiritual gate that allows us into Heaven.

 © 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

June 26 – Waiting

Ruth 3:17-18 

She said, "These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said, 'Do not go to your mother-in-law empty-handed.'" Then she said, "Wait, my daughter, until you know how the matter turns out; for the man will not rest until he has settled it today."

Is your patience tried daily as you have to “wait” for other people to make decisions, to purchase things, for a red light to turn green? Waiting is hard to do when we want to get on with life—to move forward, to get answers. When my daughter was small I prayed and prayed for patience. She was a very energetic and trying child—and I lacked a lot of parenting skills, so I prayed. Then when I shared with a friend that I was praying for patience, she asked me if I was crazy. Didn’t I know that when you pray for patience you get trials? No I didn’t know that. I changed my prayer to one of change my attitude and help my daughter learn to be obedient. Now she is a parent of three adorable active children who daily try her patience!

Patience is required for waiting. Wait, Naomi told Ruth. Wait, as the clock ticked away. No, they didn’t have clocks then. Wait, as the sun rose higher in the sky. Ruth and Naomi could do nothing but wait at their home. Ruth likely puttered around the house, sweeping dusting, maybe grinding some grain. What do you do as you wait for an answer to a life changing situation. Do you pray? God cares about every detail of our lives—the big things and the small details. The things seen and the things unseen. We can give everything to Him. Scripture tells us, in several places, to cast all our cares, our worries on Him. There is a lot of comfort in Psalm 55. Verse 22 says, Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. In 1 Peter 5:6-7 Paul writes, Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. He cares for us—He really cares. The God of the Universe who created the heavens, the stars, the wind, the rain, the dust, flowers, grain, even the very cells in our bodies, He cares about us and our needs.

Lord God, we give You our worries, wants and woes. We rely on You today to provide answers for our every concern and we wait, just as Ruth waited.   

Comfort food as Ruth and Naomi waited for an answer from Boaz may not have been a grilled cheese sandwich, but that is a favorite comfort food for my family. Serve it with some tomato soup, and you can feel the love. Below is more of a culinary inspiration list than an actual recipe. Invent new combinations just for yourself, family or friends. It only takes a few minutes of waiting for a wonderful sandwich.

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

      1-2 slices of bread per sandwich: Ruth may have used a fresh barley flour pita

            White, sourdough, whole wheat, multigrain, rye
      Favorite cheese: Goat, Cheddar, Swiss, American, Colby Jack, pepper jack
      Additional cheeses to consider for extra flavor: Blue, gruyere, horseradish cheddar
      Meat (optional): ham, turkey, crab, chicken, beef, pastrami
      Additional condiments: mustard, cranberries, strawberry jam
      Browning agent: butter, olive oil, mayonnaise

Warm skillet. Butter or oil bread lightly. Place the moist side of the bread down in the pan and add the cheese, or cheeses, meat and other condiments, as desired. Be creative. Top with an additional slice of bread, or continue to cook as an open face sandwich. If using the pita bread, cheese can be placed inside the pita and then lightly browned. If using two pieces of bread, turn the sandwich over when the bottom piece of bread is nicely toasted, but not burnt. Enjoy!

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

June 25 - More Provisions

Ruth 3:14-16 

So she lay at his feet until morning and rose before one could recognize another; and he said, "Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor." Again he said, "Give me the cloak that is on you and hold it." So she held it, and he measured six measures of barley and laid it on her. Then she went into the city. When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, "How did it go, my daughter?" And she told her all that the man had done for her.

Hush--don’t tell anyone! Doesn’t that just want to make you tell someone? Human nature is to talk to others and tell them what is happening. That could be considered breaking a promise or even forsaking someone. That is not an honorable thing—and out of respect Boaz workers who may have seen Ruth leaving the threshing floor would have not said anything, just as Boaz requested.

Six measures of barley. It is hard to define just what measure of barley. It could be six armfuls or six ephahs which would equal between one and almost seven bushels or between 60 and 300 pounds of grain. That would be too much for Ruth to carry home, so it is safe to assume that it was likely not over 50 pounds of grain. Boaz put it in her cloak and she carried it home, probably balancing it on her head as she walked along the path, the road back to the city of Bethlehem. Possibly along the same pathway that Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem more than a thousand years later. What pathway, road or street do you travel regularly that your offspring will one day also travel?

How did it go? Naomi was anxious to hear about Ruth’s adventure to the threshing floor—to hear if Boaz accepted her proposal for redemption. Naomi knew that Boaz decision would also affect her. It was the land that her husband had once owned that would be transfer to Boaz, along with the hand of Ruth, Naomi’s sweet daughter-in-law. Surely Naomi would be taken care of, too—she would not be left behind in poverty to glean the fields the rest of her live. As Ruth relayed the story of watching Boaz and the her secret trip to the threshing floor, uncovering his feet, and then his answer to her proposal for Boaz to cover her—to redeem her, Naomi hung on to every word. Ruth had listened to Naomi, and now Naomi listened to Ruth.

How often do we listen to each other? To hear intently just what the other person is saying. “Uh-huh. Yah” “OK—but what did you say?” Can we put down our phones, turn off the iPad, iTunes, TV and really listen? Listen. I have something to tell you. I care about you. I care about Jesus—He is a part, a very important part of my life and I want to share Him with you. Will you listen? Spiritually we have to listen to God speaking to us—in His word, reading and meditating on it. Will we listen? What is keeping you from listening today?

Lord, help us to hear You speak to us, help us to listen and obey Your word and to live in the way that we should.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

June 24 – A Woman of Excellence

Ruth 3:10-13 

Then he said, "May you be blessed of the Lord, my daughter. You have shown your last kindness to be better than the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich. Now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence. Now it is true I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I. Remain this night, and when morning comes, if he will redeem you, good; let him redeem you. But if he does not wish to redeem you, then I will redeem you, as the Lord lives. Lie down until morning."

Do you know anyone who is known as “A Woman of Excellence”? Proverbs 31 gives us a glimpse of such a woman. An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life… Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future. She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also, and he praises her, saying: Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all. Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. (NASB, verses 10-13 and 25-30) I like to think this passage is descriptive of Ruth—and what her life may have been after she married Boaz. She certainly raises the bar for all women.

Today is my 40^th wedding anniversary—so I personally would like to think that I have attained at least a small level of this woman of excellence status—but I am only human and know my own weaknesses. I’m not there yet! It gives me a goal for which to strive—to reach, but not with my own strength. I am reminded that it is only in Christ’s strength that I can ever attain such a goal.  A friend of mine’s favorite verse is Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Holding up her hands she calls it her ten finger verse—one word for each of her ten fingers. And with her hands in the air, she glorifies God, who gives her strength to do all things. Like Ruth, she is an amazing woman of excellence!

Do not fear—Boaz was once again protecting and honoring Ruth. By asking him to cover her, she has “asked” him to be her goel, her savior, her husband. It was so important in that time to have a husband and family for their hope of immortality is in having offspring. Now Boaz is going to “redeem” Ruth, if her closer relative will not redeem her. He didn’t escort her home in the dark of the night, but told her to lie down and that he would take care of this situation in the morning. What a man of honor Boaz is! Just lie down and rest and let me do the worrying, the arranging. She would be safe.

We depend on Christ for our spiritual salvation, for our hope and future safety. He has promised that He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5) and He gave His life that we might have eternal life with Him  For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. John 3:16-17 NASB The redemption that Jesus provides for us was foretold in the redemption of Ruth by Boaz, with love, honor, respect and full devotion.

Dear Jesus, Thank you for being our Savior, for redeeming us from a world of fear, weakness and chaos. Thank you for the strength and hope we have in You.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

June 23 – Who Are You?

Ruth 3:8-9

It happened in the middle of the night that the man was startled and bent forward; and behold, a woman was lying at his feet. He said, "Who are you?" And she answered, "I am Ruth your maid. So spread your covering over your maid, for you are a close relative."

Have you ever woke up and wondered where you were…and who was in the room? Recently my three year old grandson spent the night, sleeping over at my house. He went right to sleep in the twin bed in the “kids” room, but about three in the morning I awoke with a start when two little hands grasp each side of my face and I heard, “Granma, there’s someone in my room.” In an instant I was across the hall and flicked on the light. No one there. Isaac joined me in my queen-sized bed for the rest of the night.

Who are you? Boaz was not expecting to have anyone sleep at his feet.  It was dark. The evening was cool and yet his feet had been uncovered—someone was there at his feet. Who’s there? His heart rate may have increased as he waited for the reply. Then he heard the sweet voice of Ruth, that beautiful Moabite widow of his distant relative. What is she doing at his feet? And now she wants to be covered with his cloak? Ah, yes. There is ancient kinsman redeemer custom whereby a widow could ask a relative to rescue her from poverty by marrying her. See Deuteronomy 25:5-10.  "When brothers live together and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the deceased shall not be married outside the family to a strange man. Her husband's brother shall go in to her and take her to himself as wife and perform the duty of a husband's brother to her."But if the man does not desire to take his brother's wife, then his brother's wife shall go up to the gate to the elders and say, 'My husband's brother refuses to establish a name for his brother in Israel; he is not willing to perform the duty of a husband's brother to me.'

"Then the elders of his city shall summon him and speak to him. And if he persists and says, 'I do not desire to take her, 'then his brother's wife shall come to him in the sight of the elders, and pull his sandal off his foot and spit in his face; and she shall declare, 'Thus it is done to the man who does not build up his brother's house.'"In Israel his name shall be called, 'The house of him whose sandal is removed.' Should Boaz take Ruth to be his wife? Now his heart rate may have increased again, for she was a lovely lady and he was already attracted to her. What will he decide?

Sometimes our decisions come upon us, not we upon them. Spiritually we have choices to make every day—every moment of every day. We can choose to follow God and His ways or not to seek God and His righteousness, His way of living. There is no in between or third way. Like Joshua we choose. Joshua 24:14-15, "Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD."If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." I choose to serve the Lord. How about you?

Lord, guide our hearts and thoughts and minds that we would see You more clearly each day…and day by day, moment by moment, choose to seek and serve You.      

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

June 22 - Merry Heart

Ruth 3:6-7

So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law had commanded her. When Boaz had eaten and drunk and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came secretly, and uncovered his feet and lay down.

When the work is done, it is time to celebrate—to party. That will make a merry heart. Like it says in Ecclesiastes 9:7 (NASB) Go then, eat your bread in happiness and drink your wine with a cheerful heart; for God has already approved your works. Joyful, merry, cheerful. It is certain that Boaz was happy, content and pleased with his barley harvest. God had blessed him. Now he just wanted to lie down and rest on the pile of grain that he and his workers threshed and winnowed that evening.   

When someone is sleeping and you uncover their feet, they may wake up. Surprise. Will it be a huge surprise to Boaz to find Ruth sleeping at his feet? What was going on? Good women don’t go around sleeping near someone they aren’t married to…unless their mother-in-law tells them to do just that. Ruth’s actions in that time were not immoral. Naomi told Ruth to watch—and see where Boaz lies down. Naomi knew it would be near the grain, to keep it safe from thieves. By uncovering his feet, Ruth was getting his attention, and then she would need to listen to him. For now, Ruth is being obedient to her mother-in-law and following her instructions. What will merry hearted Boaz tell her to do?

Spiritually do we have merry or joyful hearts? What does it mean to be joyful—full of joy? This comes back to the fruit of the Spirit as described in Galatians 5:22-25, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Paul was teaching here in Galatians that if we have love, joy, peace, and other attributes of the Spirit, then we should also “walk” by the Spirit or do things that share and live out those attributes. Do we show the love, joy, peace, patience…and not just enjoy those qualities for ourselves?

Lord Jesus, help us to be observant like Ruth and to listen to others around us, that we would be able to share the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control with which You so richly fill our lives.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

June 21 – I Will Do As You Say

Ruth 3:4-5 

"It shall be when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies, and you shall go and uncover his feet and lie down; then he will tell you what you shall do." She said to her, "All that you say I will do."

I will do as you say. Ruth was such an obedient and observant young lady. Watching and listening. She may not have known the Hebrew customs, but she trusted Naomi to tell her what to do. Do we trust others around us when they give us advice about what to do…or do we just do things our own way? Pre-schoolers and teenagers alike have that rebellious spirit that causes them to want to do things their own way. Things haven’t changed much in some people’s lives…at 69 years of age my husband still obstinately wants to do things his way. Most of the time his way is the right way, but occasionally my ideas are just as good…and I rebelliously try to get the last word. I need to be the submissive wife described in Ephesians 5:22 (KJV) Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For who wants to be rebellious to the Lord? Certainly not me!

Spiritually can we say that we will do as Jesus says? The key word to “doing” is obedience. We need to strive to listen and obey. In Romans 6:17-18 it says, But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. (NASB) Personally, I’d rather be a slave to righteousness, that is right living, than a slave to sin and evil. Still it is a moment by moment decision that takes us down the right path—the path of obedience. Spiritually words that guide us into that right path taste good, whereas the path that leads to sinful living usually gives us a bad taste in our mouths. That reminds me of a Psalm I read recently, Psalm 34(verse 8) O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! (NASB) Tasty spiritual words. Those I long to savor. Enjoy some of those words today.

Lord, guide us in Your word today that we would find tasty words to savor and contemplate. Words that would make a difference in our lives and in those around us.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

June 20 - Tonight

Ruth 3:1-3  

Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you? Now is not Boaz our kinsman, with whose maids you were? Behold, he winnows barley at the threshing floor tonight. Wash yourself therefore, and anoint yourself and put on your best clothes, and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.” 

Tonight—Tonight—Won’t be just any night! Put on your best clothes. It is time for a party. It is fun to go to parties and celebrate special occasions. Every day during the barley harvest the grain was separated from the stalk by threshing it. Then after all the grain was harvested it went through a winnowing process that removed the chaff, or husks from the grain. This was best done late in the day when there was a nice breeze to blow away the chaff. When the winnowing was done, the grain was ready to be stored away and it was time for a celebration. Boaz celebrated a great harvest. 

Spiritually, we want to allow the Lord to get the chaff, the bad stuff, out of our lives. Then we will put on our best clothes. In scripture it tells us that guests at a wedding party wear particular clothes. Matthew 22:11-12 tells us about such a person who did not have the right clothes for the wedding party. "But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?' And the man was speechless. (NASB) Jesus talks about garments that will be worn in heaven in Revelation 3:5-6, 'He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.  'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.' (NASB) Those white garments will be the best clothes we will ever wear! Note that Jesus also says we need to listen—he who has an ear, let him hear. Are we listening to Jesus message, not just in Revelation, but throughout the whole Bible? 

Lord Jesus, help us to hear you loud and clear. Winnow the chaff from our lives and fill us with Your love that we may serve You in a special way.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

June 19 – Stay Close

Ruth 2:22-23 

Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, "It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his maids, so that others do not fall upon you in another field." So she stayed close by the maids of Boaz in order to glean until the end of the barley harvest and the wheat harvest. And she lived with her mother-in-law. (NASB)

Stay close, be safe. Growing up in a small farming community where I knew everyone I always felt safe. Then after I graduated from high school I went away to a college town only 90 miles away. It was a bigger community, but I felt perfectly safe going where ever I wanted to go. I remember deciding to go to a movie alone, since most of my friends were out of town and others I knew in the dorm were busy with friends visiting from their hometowns for the weekend. I really wanted to see a movie that was being shown on campus, “Wait Until Dark”.  I love Audrey Hepburn movies —so I went alone. When I was leaving the movie I bumped into a coworker from the dining hall who insisted on walking me home saying that I shouldn’t be walking across campus alone in the dark. How sweet, but I wasn’t afraid of the dark—even after that suspenseful movie. Little did I know that a girl was raped on campus the night before right where I was going to walk. I was glad for his company and protection. It is good to be around others—there is safety in numbers. 

It is also good to listen to elders, like Ruth listened to Naomi. Ruth continued to safely work gleaning the barley and then the wheat. What a hard worker. 

God provides us spiritual safety. There is so much wisdom that He provides for us in His Word. One of my favorites is from Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. (NASB) Making our paths straight is for us to be agreeable and pleasing, doing the right thing. It’s easy to “acknowledge” God when we make good choices. By not depending on only what we know, but considering what God is showing or teaching us helps us to make good choices. I often pray for my children and grandchildren to “make good decisions” just in their everyday lives. Little decisions day by day can add up to being at a crossroad where a major decision needs to be made. That is when it is good to have made good choices in the past that guide you to making wise decisions for the future. What could be spiritually better? What choices have you made today that will shape your tomorrow? 

Dear Lord, help us to make wise choices in all we do and say. 

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

June 18 - Kindness

Ruth 2:20-21 

Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, "May he be blessed of the Lord who has not withdrawn his kindness to the living and to the dead." Again Naomi said to her, "The man is our relative, he is one of our closest relatives." Then Ruth the Moabitess said, "Furthermore, he said to me, 'You should stay close to my servants until they have finished all my harvest.'" (NASB)                                                                 

Kindness is a compassionate act that shows consideration and caring. Stephen Grellet has provided the world with a wonderful quote on compassion: I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again. That is what we can all aim to do, and as Boaz was demonstrating, kindness extents to one person through another. Naomi was being blessed by the kindness that Boaz was showing to Ruth. Naomi was seeing that kindness as coming from the Lord, as a kindness that to her and Ruth and to their deceased husbands. 

We naturally want to care for and be compassionate to our families—but sometimes that is all the energy  and resources we have. Boaz was a rich man so he could afford to have his workers leave extra grain in the field for Ruth to glean and to provide lunch for her as well as his workers. He didn’t have to be so kind to the gleaners, the poor and foreigners gathering grain in his fields. But he knew that Ruth was extended family and he wanted to care for her and for Naomi, that made her special. 

Do you feel special knowing that you are part of someone’s family? Maybe your earthly family is like Naomi’s, deceased, and so you feel abandoned and alone. Forgotten by other extended family. If you know God, then you know that you are part of His family, you’ve been adopted by Him. It tells us in Ephesians 1:5  that He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will. To be a child of the King, an adopted child of the King, makes you royalty! Now you should feel special. I do. Knowing that God loves me enough to send His only Son to die on the cross for my sins—and then adopts me into His family, I feel doubly blessed. It is wonderful to feel so loved. Do you feel unworthy? You are not. Just ask for forgiveness from your sins and join His wonderful family. Sounds too easy doesn’t it? But it is that easy and God loves everyone—so that means you and me, too. If you haven’t joined His family, what is stopping you?

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me enough to send your Son, for forgiving me of my sins, and for adopting me into your family. I feel so loved. I love You. Please show me how to be compassionate kindness to others and love them as You do. 

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

June 17 - Where Did You Work?

Ruth 2:18-19 

She took it up and went into the city, and her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. She also took it out and gave Naomi what she had left after she was satisfied. Her mother-in-law then said to her, "Where did you glean today and where did you work? May he who took notice of you be blessed." So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked and said, "The name of the man with whom I worked today is Boaz." 

Where do you work? Is it in an office, a factory, a warehouse, a store, or on a farm? I’m retired so I “work” at home. Today is actually Sunday—and I try not to work on the Lord’s day. One of the Ten Commandments is Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy, Exodus 20:8. It is hard to decide what day of the week is our Sabbath. God blessed and sanctified the seventh day because He rested from all His work of creating everything (Genesis 2:3). For centuries the Hebrew people kept the seventh day as their Sabbath, as God commanded Moses in Exodus 23:11. Jesus was resurrected on Sunday, the first day of the week, so most Christians celebrate their Sabbath as Sunday, commemorating Christ’s resurrection day. All that to say, they’ll be no intentional work at my house today, except some basic meal preparation. Life is all about food and we rationalize that meal preparation is not “work” although I have planned ahead and prepared some food in advance.  

It was not Sunday when Ruth was working in Boaz’s field. She labored and proudly presented Naomi with the grain she gleaned. Naomi recognized that Ruth must have been watched out for and provided extra grain since she gathered so much. Where did you work? Naomi wanted to know who had blessed them so that she could offer a blessing for him. 

Are you spiritually blessed? Are you seeking God’s favor everyday—or just on the weekdays, or just on the weekends? Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him, from Ephesians 1:3-4. What a spiritual blessing to know that He chose us. Savor that thought—as you would a tasty meal and relish the idea that we are adopted into God’s family. If you have a personal relationship with Jesus, you are spiritually blessed. If not then seek Him with all your heart, mind and soul. He is yours for the asking. 

Lord Jesus, thank you for choosing me to be part of your family and for dying for my sins. Wash me and renew my mind that the work and words of my heart and mind would be pleasing to you.  

For supper Ruth and Naomi may have eaten a simple roasted barley salad. 

Roasted Barley Salad

1 3/4 cups pearl barley

5 cups low-salt chicken or vegetable broth

l bay leaf

Salt

1/4 cup olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 carrot, cut into 1/2-inch rounds

1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tsp dried thyme)

1 zucchini, cut 1/2-inch rounds

4 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1/2 pound button mushroom, sliced 1/4-inch thick

1 bunch Italian parsley, minced (about 3/4 cup) or fresh mint, chopped

6 slices cooked crisp bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (omit if vegan or vegetarian)

Toast barley in a saute pan over medium heat until medium brown. In a pot, bring the broth to a boil with the bay leaf and salt. Add toasted barley and cook until tender about 20 minutes. Drain and spread out on cookie sheet to cool.

Saute garlic in olive oil until light brown, add the carrots and thyme. Saute for an additional 1 minute, then add the zucchini and continue to saute for another 30 seconds. Take off the heat. Add vinegar, stir and set aside to cool. Toss the barley with the sliced mushrooms, parsley, carrot mixture and bacon, if desired. Season well with salt and pepper and serve.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

June 16 - Working Until Sunset

Ruth 2:16-17

"Also you shall purposely pull out for her some grain from the bundles and leave it that she may glean, and do not rebuke her." So she gleaned in the field until evening. Then she beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley.

Farmers typically work in the summer time, especially at harvest time, from sunrise to sunset. My Dad would put in long hours when he was farming. Farmers these days even have bright spotlights on their combines that allow crews to work into the night harvesting their precious crops at their peak. The combines separate the head of grain from the stock, the kernel from the chaff, and then all the grain flows from the hopper to the waiting grain truck as the combine goes across the field. So fast and clean. Ruth harvested an ephah of barley, which is about two-thirds of a bushel. Average yield of barley is now about 67 bushels per acre.

Jesus called His followers to “harvest” for Him in Luke 10:1-12 and as His followers, He calls us to do the same. You may ask, as I have for years, where is this harvest field? The interim pastor at my church recently answered just that question—the unchurched in apartments, condos, gyms, and coffee shops are that field ready for harvest. Well—that is where the seeds of the gospel need to be planted—then comes the harvest. Do you know anyone around you who has never heard about Jesus? What can you tell them? Tell them about how Jesus has made a difference in your life—how He has changed you. For me the biggest change was in taking away my sarcastic tongue and attitude. It made such a difference in my personality and gave me a peace about myself. Having a relationship with Jesus improved my relationships with pretty much everyone around me, maybe not immediately, but it did happen. I’d consider that a miracle.

Do you need a miracle relationship adjustment in your life? Well, Jesus didn’t promise to immediately make our lives perfect—but He has promised that He will never leave us or forsake us and His presence as the Holy Spirit in our lives will change our hearts and thoughts. He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, from Titus 3:5. This is similar to the need for continual renewal of our minds that I mentioned on May 31 from Romans 12:2. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. As our minds are “renewed” and we begin to think more like Christ, then we become more loving and our relationships gain the benefit of that agape, Christ-like unconditional love.  That renewal is a spiritual feast that you don’t have to work until sunset to obtain—just ask.

Lord, please give us hope in our relationship with You and with others that we these bonds would be stronger and that others would feel Your love for them through us. Renew our minds and hearts, filling us with Your love.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

June 15 - Provision

God is Good! A beautiful baby girl was born last night to Mike & Melissa Hunacek---Lydia Elizabeth Pearl---a lovely perfect little gem! Thank you, Lord, for answered prayers and for gifting this family with a healthy precious new baby.

Ruth 2:14-15

At mealtime Boaz said to her, " Come here, that you may eat of the bread and dip your piece of bread in the vinegar." So she sat beside the reapers; and he served her roasted grain, and she ate and was satisfied and had some left. When she rose to glean, Boaz commanded his servants, saying, "Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not insult her.

Meal time. The best time of day. Our days are centered around eating—we barely finish the noon meal and the question is asked…what’s for supper? Since my husband has had to adjust his diet to count his carbohydrate intake (pre-diabetic diet) we eat a lot less bread, pasta, potatoes and rice. Pita bread is an essential ingredient in some of our lunch sandwiches—but we only have one-half each.

The bread that Ruth dipped in vinegar at Boaz table was likely pita bread that is often served in Israel.  You can wrap roasted grain, vegetables or hummus in it, or eat it plain. It is a mainstay in their diet. It provided Ruth with energy to finish out her day of gleaning.

What scripture provides you with energy to get you through the rest of the day? I’ve found that the best way to start the day is with reading God’s Word until it speaks to me about something specific—that may be a few verses or a few chapters. Part way through the day, or later in the afternoon rereading that verse that spoke to me may give me additional insight or inspiration with whatever I’m doing that day. It is amazing how God works that way. Spiritual things can give physical or mental energy—and even wake me up if I’m feeling tired. Let God give you an inspiration today. Try reading Psalm 27. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread? When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, my adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear; though war arise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident. One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple. Dwelling in God’s house—meditating or “feeding” on His words. May that start for you today—don’t wait until you are called to Paradise.

Heavenly Father, Thank you for Your Words that I may meditate and feast on them today. Show me something special that I can apply to my life and to my relationship with You today.

Pita Bread

1 package of yeast, or quick rising yeast
1/2 cup warm water
2-3 cups all purpose flour (for gluten free, use 1/2 c coconut flour and 1 1/2 cups rice flour)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 cup lukewarm water

Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup of warm water. Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Allow yeast to rise for 10-15 minutes. Combine 2 cups of flour and the salt in large bowl and add yeast water in center of flour then slowly add 1 cup of warm water, and stir with wooden spoon or rubber spatula, adding more flour if necessary. Place dough on floured surface and knead for 10-15 minutes until it is no longer sticky and is smooth and elastic.

Coat large bowl with oil and place dough in bowl, turning the dough over so it is all coated.
Put the bowl in a warm place for about an hour, or until the dough has doubled in size. Once doubled, roll out in a rope, and pinch off 10-12 small pieces. Place balls on floured surface. Let sit covered for 10 minutes. Preheat oven and baking sheet to 500 deg F with the oven rack is at the very bottom. Roll out each ball of dough with a rolling pin into 3-6 inches circles, about 1/4 inch thick, or smaller and thicker, if desired. Bake each circle for 4 minutes until the bread puffs up. Turn over and bake for 2 minutes.

Remove each pita with a spatula from the baking sheet and gently push down puff. If you don’t eat it immediately, which is the best way to enjoy it, then place the bread in paper bags to keep soft. These pitas can be stored for a week at room temperature or up to a month in the freezer. Use freezer bags when freezing.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

June 14 - Under His Wings

Ruth 2:12-13

"May the Lord reward your work, and your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge." Then she said, "I have found favor in your sight, my Lord, for you have comforted me and indeed have spoken kindly to your maidservant, though I am not like one of your maidservants."

Under His Wings. Growing up on a farm I watched mother hens gather their little chicks under their wings when danger came near—like the family dog barking at them…or at the end of the day as they gathered at their roost. My favorite children’s story is that of the Little Red Hen, who find a kernel of grain, and when none of the other farm animals wants to help, she plants, waters, harvests, grinds the grain into flour, and then bakes bread for her family. She is such a hard worker, like Ruth, as she provides and protects her family. I’ve always treasured that idea of being like the chick and God is the big bird, more like an eagle, protecting His young. We see this in Psalm 91:4, “He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.“ And in Luke 13:34,  "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not have it!” Jesus Himself even wanted to gather His people under His “wings”. What a comforting idea.

Do you ever want to be protected, to have God shield you from some seen or unseen enemy? How about when you even just have a cold and are worn out—wouldn’t it be nice to have God’s loving arms or “wings” surround you and take care of you? Feel His presence in your life. He loves you and cares about you—even when you don’t feel like you are anyone special. Like Ruth you may be thinking who am I—why have I found favor in your sight? (Ruth 2:10).

Lord, help us to feel your presence in our lives and draw us close to you—holding us under Your very wings, providing protection like a mother hen or eagle.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

June 13 Finding Favor

Ruth 2:10-11

Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground and said to him, "Why have I found favor in your sight that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?" Boaz replied to her, "All that you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband has been fully reported to me, and how you left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and came to a people that you did not previously know.

Venturing out beyond our safety zone puts us in an area where we feel uncomfortable and at risk. Here is Ruth in a foreign land, gleaning, and the big boss owner comes and talks to her personally. So she is falling on her face. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone “fall on their face” like that before, though I have seen people so humbled in prayer that they’ve put their face on the floor.  Actually once that did happen to me. I started out praying sitting down, then I was kneeling and soon I had my face to the floor, humbling myself before God. He touched my very soul, showing me how I looked to Him.

It must have been a humbling experience to be gleaning—let alone to glean and have the Boss come talk to you. In the story of Abigail and David, Abigail falls on her face before David (1 Samuel 25:23) pleading for David to not pay attention to her foolish husband Nabal who was not willing to share his food with David and his men. David did listen to Abigail, and not only accepted her food gift, but eventually after Nabal died of a heart attack, David married Abigail. Falling on one’s face, humbling yourself before another person is a good thing. Boaz recognized how much Ruth had given up, her family, homeland, customs, in order to be a helpmate to Naomi. Have we given up anything to have a relationship with God? No matter what that is, home, family, prosperity, old friends or old ways, it is worth much more to seek God and His goodness, His good ways.

Heavenly Father, help us to see ourselves as you see us and to give up our old life for the new life you offer us in Christ.    

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.