Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Old Testament, Ruth 1:1-19a                  

Ruth 1:1-19a

Do you remember the musical “Oliver!”? Late 60’s I believe. Check that someone. A marvelous musical portrayal of Charles Dickens’ classic about an orphan boy whose life “twists” (pun intended) and turns around a workhouse, the streets of London, a band of pick-pockets and final redemption in the arms of his own loving family. Great tale. In the early portion of the film, nearly-starved orphans walk by the Workhouse Trustee’s dining room where there is a monumental feast on the table. The boys get gruel. Upon filling their noses and minds with hopes of filling their bellies, the first great song of the film breaks out, “Food, Glorious Food.”

Now I’m not going to give you all the ins and outs of the story of Ruth. You can discover them. But famine is a part of the account written about the many-generations ago grandmother of Jesus, the Lord. Naomi and Elimelech leave Bethlehem (Hebrew=House of Bread), death overtakes father and sons, newly married in the land of Moab, and one of the two married-ones named Ruth vows to return with her mother-in-law to her home in Bethlehem (Hebrew=House of Bread). Why? Verse 6: Then she (Naomi) arose with her daughters-in-law that she might return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab, that the LORD had visited His people by giving them bread.” (emphasis mine)

Once more in our reading, and then twice in the remainder of the first chapter we find Bethlehem being referenced as the place of God’s settling and provision. The chapter closes with, “Now they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest” (v. 22). While I don’t pretend that the primary issue in our reading is a matter of geography, I do see all of Ruth as an account of God’s long-term provision. Bethlehem, house of bread, and even barley harvest. They all point to our need for having our bellies filled. And God gives supply.

But do not miss that many centuries later, the Bread of Life will be born in that House of Bread. It is that very bread that nourishes us all, never to hunger again. Food, Glorious Food. Amen!