Fruits of the Spirit II: Ruth and Naomi, a Story of Chesed
by the Rev. AJ Ochart
Sermon Notes
This week we continue the sermon series on Queer readings of Scripture with a revisiting of the story of Ruth and Naomi. We have been trained to read this story as a nice little love story between Ruth, a widowed foreigner, and a man named Boaz, her potential kinsmen-redeemer. And this is certainly an element of this beautiful story. Feminist theologians however, point out that the most impassioned pronouncement of steadfast-loving-kindness (in Hebrew, Chesed) is not between Ruth and Boaz, it is between Ruth and Naomi. Our scripture for that week is this oath (which many straight couples have read at their own weddings) in which Ruth ties herself geographically, ethno-culturally, economically, and even post-mortemly to her former mother-in-law; and tells of how that is accomplished. Modern theologians note that this story can be read through a queer lens, as a reflection of the lesbian experience; and more broadly as an exploration of matriarchal and queer family organizations. It can also be seen as an exploration of the navigation of law-code which is necessary for minority populations who are not always given equality under the law.
– Where have you heard Ruth’s impassioned oath before?
– In what ways are Naomi and Ruth at a disadvantage, and what does their banding together do to change that?
– What parts of this story take on new or different meanings when read through a queer lens?
– Are there other elements that intersect over the story of Ruth?
