Does God REALLY do THAT???

A brief summary of a few events in 2^nd Kings 1-6

Elijah (prophet of the LORD):

Receives a direct message (by angel) from God • Gives a death decree from the LORD (which is fulfilled) •Kills 102 (by my calculations) men with “fire from heaven” • Parts the Jordan river, with a rolled up cloak • Is taken to heaven (while he is still alive) on a fiery chariot (horses and all)…in a whirlwind

Elisha (Elijah’s successor):

Parts the Jordan (with Elijah’s cloak) •Purifies a poisonous stream, and some poisonous stew - with a little salt and flour • Curses a group of boys, in the name of the LORD, which results in a bear mauling 42 of them • Serves as a conduit of God’s “voice” which proclaims He will fill the land with water – without wind or rain (and then actually does it) • Instructs a woman to fill every vessel in town with oil from one small jar • Declares a woman will conceive, then later brings her dead son (the result of her conception) back to life by praying to the LORD • Cures a man (who is very uncooperative) of leprosy…then inflicts another man (along with his descendants, FOREVER) with the very same leprosy •Causes an iron axe head to float on water • Prays – and the eyes of his servant are opened to see a heavenly army (More fiery chariots & horses) • Then completely blinds the enemy army…

Once I catch my breath - I’m left with a few questions, like…Does God REALLY do THAT??

Did He do it back then but doesn’t do it anymore? Are these stories fairy tales and fables to get children (and adults) to behave? Is this for real?

What if it is?

Does God really come close enough to speak to (and through) us? Close enough to send angels, heal the sick and feed the hungry? Close enough to rescue the widow & orphan, perform miracles, give signs and protect the innocent? Close enough to… punish the wicked…give life… take life … raise the dead?

Maybe, underneath all the analysis, contemplation, and debate concerning the bible – there’s only one real question.

How close are you God? – really?

Ordinary People (Part 2)

So, Naomi is lost in grief and hopelessness and Ruth does something ... unexpected.

Maybe it is rooted in her own best interest, maybe her family is no family she wants to go home to. Maybe it's pride, who wants to go home a widow with no children to show for a 10 year marriage? Maybe over the years she has formed such a strong love for Naomi that she is willing to risk her own future, rather than suffer the loss of the relationship. Maybe it was truly selfless. This young girl, who is not even a Hebrew and doesn't know the God of Israel, recognizes Naomi's need, and sacrifices her own security to walk alongside her.

So Naomi returned together with Ruth the Moabite... Ruth 1:22

Things get rather interesting after that. Naomi sets about instructing Ruth on - what COULD be interpreted as - seducing a husband. But, as I am drawn in and caught up by this story; my heart beats with the kind of longing and hope that only the greatest of love stories inspire. Twilight, Titanic, or more to my taste, Wuthering Heights, and Gone With The Wind. The kind of love stories that whisper to the deepest part of us - that we are not alone. That...

God sets the lonely in families... Psalms 68:6

Something else that is very interesting, that may not jump out at you right away, is that unlike most of the Old Testament, YAHWEH never shows up at all. No burning bushes or parting waters. No lions dens, talking donkeys or whale rides. No floods, fires, pillars of salt, grand victories, or smiting of the wicked. The Book of Ruth is all about humans... being very...

Human.

A young woman, struggling with her own loss and insecurity, finds a way to stand by an old woman, who is in desperate need. A lonely and broken widow, finds a way through her own sorrow and grief, to impart wisdom, and help secure a future for a young girl, who is a stranger in a strange land. A powerful man who, instead of taking and abusing, chooses to walk in righteousness. A man who stands tall to defend, protect, and take up the battle of the widow and the orphan.

..."Wait my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest, but will settle the matter today." Ruth 3:18

Then suddenly, this brief, seemingly insignificant, 3000 year old snap shot of a few obscure characters, draws to a close. As swiftly as the sand of the ancient middle eastern desert, slipping through our fingers:

So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When they came together, the LORD made her conceive, and she bore a son. then the women said to Naomi, "Blessed be the LORD, who has not left this day without next-of-kin; and may His name be renowned in Israel! Ruth 4:13-14

And I am struck with the utter plainness, of a few ordinary people, who found themselves swept into the very center - of God's Extraordinary story.

Maybe Naomi was right after all.

Now these are the descendants of Perez: Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron of Ram, Ram o fAmminadab, Amminadab of Nahshon, Nahshon of Salmon, Salmon of Boaz, Boaz of Obed, Obed of Jesse, and Jesse of David.
Ruth 4:18-21