Day 77: Ruth 1, 2, 3 and 4

All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character. (Ruth 3:11)

Boaz refers to Ruth as a woman of noble character. This could also be translated a woman of valor, or a woman of excellence. This word is used many times in the biblical texts, but almost exclusively of men... for instance, David's mighty men (2 Samuel 23). It's interesting how the same word can be translated differently depending on its context.

This is the point: in all of Scripture, the phrase is used to describe women only three times – in Proverbs 12:4; 31:10; and here in Ruth. The Proverbs 31 woman can prove intimidating because she seems to be a cross between Martha Stewart and Super Woman. She's obviously a woman of means, running her own retail enterprise; she does wholesale manufacturing and uses her profits to buy land. Ruth, on the other hand, is a poor, widowed foreigner. She lacks the standing of the Proverbs 31 woman, yet is called by the same name – a woman of excellence.

I wonder if Ruth would describe herself as a woman of noble character, or as excellent. I doubt it. She was just being faithful to her mother-in-law, whom she loved, and doing her best to deal with life as it unfolded before her. Ruth’s story proves one doesn't need a boatload of cash and mad skills to be excellent.

Everyone is a “10” at something.

How will you be a person of excellence this week?