Birds of the same feather
Reading: Exodus 15:20,21; 1 Samuel 18:6,7
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young,
but set an example for the believers” (1 Tim 4:12)
Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, “It will be good for you, my daughter, to go with the women who work for Boaz, because in someone else’s field you might be harmed” (Ruth 2:22). Naomi was a senior lady who had seen much in life. She gave a sane counsel to Ruth who was a young woman — ‘Go with the women.’ Ruth did not rebel at the thought. As a young woman her natural desire was the company of men. But she listened to Naomi’s counsel and “stayed close to the women of Boaz” (v23).
Instead of Boys School and Girls School nowadays it is mostly coeducation. The tendency now for young people is to hang around together. Sometimes this leads to an unhealthy closeness. The danger of emotional attachment looms large in such groups. Sometimes it is one-sided, which has its own dangers as you regularly watch in the news.
What Naomi says as, “in someone else’s field” as NIV puts it, or “That people do not meet you in any other field” as NKJV pens it, has a deep meaning. She was gently saying, “You should not be found as a girl wandering around with boys.” Ruth got the clue and she stuck to the women’s circle. It is this behaviour that earned her the testimony from Boaz, “You did not go after young men, whether poor or rich” (Ruth 3:10).
The Bible was written over thousands of years. Between Genesis and Revelation the culture had been changing. But till the end of the New Testament we don’t see unhealthy mixing of sexes.
Naomi mentions about ‘harm.’ Naomi’s advice kept Ruth from many harm till she was decently married. “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold” (Prov 22:1). A good name is very important for a young girl. This is what Ruth earned by keeping herself with the women and she was esteemed as a virtuous woman. “A good name is better than fine perfume” (Eccl 7:1). If a good perfume can fill a house with its aroma, a good name will even cross countries.
“Reflect on what I am saying; and the Lord will give you insight into all this” (2 Tim 2:7).
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, 8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
Birds of the same feather
Reading: Exodus 15:20,21; 1 Samuel 18:6,7
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young,
but set an example for the believers” (1 Tim 4:12)
Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, “It will be good for you, my daughter, to go with the women who work for Boaz, because in someone else’s field you might be harmed” (Ruth 2:22). Naomi was a senior lady who had seen much in life. She gave a sane counsel to Ruth who was a young woman — ‘Go with the women.’ Ruth did not rebel at the thought. As a young woman her natural desire was the company of men. But she listened to Naomi’s counsel and “stayed close to the women of Boaz” (v23).
Instead of Boys School and Girls School nowadays it is mostly coeducation. The tendency now for young people is to hang around together. Sometimes this leads to an unhealthy closeness. The danger of emotional attachment looms large in such groups. Sometimes it is one-sided, which has its own dangers as you regularly watch in the news.
What Naomi says as, “in someone else’s field” as NIV puts it, or “That people do not meet you in any other field” as NKJV pens it, has a deep meaning. She was gently saying, “You should not be found as a girl wandering around with boys.” Ruth got the clue and she stuck to the women’s circle. It is this behaviour that earned her the testimony from Boaz, “You did not go after young men, whether poor or rich” (Ruth 3:10).
The Bible was written over thousands of years. Between Genesis and Revelation the culture had been changing. But till the end of the New Testament we don’t see unhealthy mixing of sexes.
Naomi mentions about ‘harm.’ Naomi’s advice kept Ruth from many harm till she was decently married. “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold” (Prov 22:1). A good name is very important for a young girl. This is what Ruth earned by keeping herself with the women and she was esteemed as a virtuous woman. “A good name is better than fine perfume” (Eccl 7:1). If a good perfume can fill a house with its aroma, a good name will even cross countries.
“Reflect on what I am saying; and the Lord will give you insight into all this” (2 Tim 2:7).
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, Mob:8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
