"You and Me, Us Never Part, Makidada"

Ruth

"You and me, Us never part
Makidada
You and me, Us have one heart
Makidada
Ain't no ocean, ain't no sea
Makidada
Keep my sistah way from me
Makidada"

I know, I know... But I promise, it is not my practice to use songs to introduce my blogs. Yes, admittedly, in recent postings, the spirit has moved in such a way that songs and the lyrics to those songs have been so perfectly complimentary to the sentiment being conveyed that I can't help but to incorporate them within the text. Remember, "All things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to [her] purpose." And, it's further affirmation that the sacred is secular and the secular sacred. So, cut a sistah some slack would ya!

Alright, really, the book of RUTH is one of my favorite books in the bible. And yes, when I was trying to get my mind and thoughts together about this posting, I couldn't help but sing the little song that Celie and Nettie were singing in the movie, "The Color Purple." And, if any of you have read the book (which I suggest you do), or seen the movie, you know that a bond existed between those two little girls that "Nothing but death" would tear apart. Well, there is yet another bond between two women that was so strong that not even death would separate one from the other. Yes, I'm talking about the bond or rather, "relationship," between Ruth and Naomi. Whoa, whoa, whoa... Wait a minute! Hold on, now.... Geez Louise! Don't go getting your panties in a wad before you hear me out.

Listen, there are only two books in the entire bible where the central characters are women! No doubt, women play very prominent roles throughout the bible - somebody had to give birth to all those fascinating and powerful men! But nowhere else are the effects of women felt more profoundly than in the books of RUTH and later we'll see in ESTHER. But first, the "relationship," and yes, this time I do mean "relationship" between Ruth and Naomi, is one that deserves and demands our attention, respect and reverence. As one of the participants in my class so aptly pointed out, this is a story about love, loyalty and redemption - sorta. Let's take a looksee.

The narrative begins with a short background sketch. We learn that Naomi, a blessed woman with a husband, two sons and two daughters-in-law (Or'pah and Ruth) is adversely affected by famine in the land. She loses her husband and two sons (1:1-6). In an attempt to weather through the famine, Naomi sets out with her daughters-in-laws to the land of Judah, for she heard the "Lord had considered his people and given them food" (v. 6). On the way, she remembers herself, her plight and what lies ahead for young women with no husband and no male children. Selflessly she urges them to turn back and return to their mother's house for a chance to "find security, each of you in the house of your husband" (vv. 8b, 9a). The two women hold fast to their love for Naomi and initially refuse her request to turn back to the land of their people. But out of that love, Naomi persuades Or'pah, who relents, parts with a kiss and returns to the land of her people - Moab. But, "Ruth clung to her"(vv.10-14). Put a pin there... While I agree this story is about love, loyalty and redemption - kinda, I also believe, however, it is much deeper and much more complex and complicated than that. For what comes next is one of the most commonly incorporated and recited biblical verses in commitment ceremonies, and yes, "legal" marriages. For clarity's sake, I am compelled to invite you to reach for your King James Version of the bible as we venture to understand an important Hebrew translation of the word "clave." Okay, take the pin out.

Let's go back, "And they lifted up their voice and wept again: and Or'pah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clave unto her" (KJV 1: 14). The Hebrew word translated here as "clave," is identical to that used in the implied marriage between Adam and Eve, "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife; and they shall be one flesh" (KJV Genesis 2:24). Compare that to this eerily similar verse, "Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me" (KJV Ruth 1: 16b, 17). Hable por favor en inglés... "Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge, your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die - there will I be buried. May the Lord do this and so to me and more as well, if even death parts me from you" (NRSV Ruth 1: 16b, 17)! Sounds like "one flesh" and "one heart" to me. But don't you think it is amazing that words spoken to seal a covenant - between a woman and a man before God, was actually spoken from one woman to another - in the bible! Is there a difference and if so what is it? Uh, uh... Nope, don't be lazy, come up with something else other than one is between opposite genders and the other is between the same gender. The words are translated the same, therefore, ought not the meaning of them be the same? Hmmmm? Two different concepts of "relationships," yet the same covenant? Caller you say what?

Okay, okay, moving right along. Ruth and Naomi continue on and arrive in Bethlehem at "the beginning of the barley harvest." There was a kinsman of Naomi's husband there in the land, a wealthy and well respected man, named Boaz. Ruth asks Naomi to allow her "to go to the field and glean among the ears of grain, behind someone in whose sight I might find favor" (2: 1,2). Now, I don't know about you, but I'm smiling bigger than the Cheshire cat in Alice and Wonderland. It is rather exciting to finally see women working together and consciously exploiting the culture and traditions of the day for their own benefit. Back to the story. Now it just so happens that Ruth gleaned in the field owned by none other than, Boaz. Surely I don't need to tell you that Ruth caught his eye, as was her intent. After inquiring and learning who she was, and who she did and/or did not belong to, Boaz says to her, "Do not go to glean in another field, or leave this one, but keep close to my young women. Keep your eyes on the field that is being reaped and follow behind them" (vv. 8, 9a). Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, SCORE! For her love, care and loyalty to Naomi, Boaz rewards her by allowing her to hang out, get some food (of which she saves a portion for Naomi), and gather about a bushel of barley. Although she lived with Naomi, she "gleaned" daily, keeping close to Boaz's women until the end of the harvest. The next move toward security for Ruth and redemption for Naomi comes by way of Naomi.

As a young woman, thinking I was smarter than Mama, I remember her saying to me, "Little girl, everything you are thinking about doing, I've already done!" Indeed Wisdom is a woman! It is with that wisdom that Naomi sets a plan into motion that will result in Ruth's security and her redemption. She knows Boaz and the other men of the village/neighborhood are going to the threshing floor to loosen the grain harvested. She also seems to be aware that the men would be eating and drinking as she instructs Ruth in the way of "getting her man" saying, "Now wash 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. When he lies down, observe the place where he lies; then, go and uncover his feet and lie down; and he will tell you what to do" (3: 1-4). In other words, "go get yourself together, put on some sweet smelling fragrance, the sexiest dress you have and wait until he's tired, full, and drunk and then, "service him," I mean "uncover his feet." Now if the only thing that happened next was Boaz catching a cold from his feet being exposed, I would be finished with this post, but it isn't. Instead, Boaz is so moved by Ruth's "virtuous" actions and deeds toward him throughout the entire night, that he swears "As the Lord lives," he will "act as next-of-kin," thereby "covering" her and, re-establishing an inheritance for Naomi (vv. 6-13). That must have been some really good service. Oh, I'm sorry, she must have really known how to "uncover his feet." Um hmph... Where you going? Don't go nowhere, I'm just getting warmed up!

After Ruth slips out before day break ---------- Just wanted to let that sit with ya for a moment, Boaz goes to the village gates and sits down to inquire of a kinsmen of Naomi that is closer in kin to her than he is about his desire, ability and willingness to fulfill the duties of a kinsmen to a previously deceased kinsmen, ensuring the continuation of the lineage of the deceased. The other kinsman of Naomi declined and thus Boaz was allowed to purchase the land and all that belonged to the deceased now belonged to him, including Ruth. Satisfying the customary practices of exchange and transactions of the day, Boaz took Ruth as his wife and she conceived a son. But wait, the women celebrate Naomi, shouting, "Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without next-of-kin, (one who redeems) and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has borne him." Naomi then takes the child to her bosom and nursed him. Then the women of the village/neighborhood gave the child a name saying, "A son (Obed) has been borne to Naomi" (Ch. 4). Wow! Really? And to think, out of this relationship of love, loyalty, redemption and um.... surrogacy, Naomi and Ruth become the Matriarch that brings forth Jesse, the father of David and eventually, the "one who redeems," the "restorer of life" - Jesus... Believe it or not!

"You and me, Us never part
Makidada
You and me, Us have one heart
Makidada
Ain't no ocean, ain't no sea
Makidada
Keep my sistah way from me
Makidada"
© Dorinda G. Henry, 2010

THEOLOGIA HABITUS EST!