For the (Biblical) Record

So I have seen the following quote pasted on people’s (particularly girls’) facebook several times now:

“To all the girls who are in a hurry to have a boyfriend or get married, a piece of Biblical advice: "Ruth patiently waited for her mate Boaz." While you are waiting on YOUR Boaz, don't settle for any of his relatives; Broke-az, Po-az, Lyin-az, Cheatin-az, Dumb-az, Drunk-az, Cheap-az, Lockedup-az, , Goodfornothin-az, Lazy-az, and especially his third cousin Beatinyo-az. Wait on your Boaz and make sure he respects Yoaz....”

While I can appreciate the humor of this, I can’t help but feel that it is very important that misunderstandings regarding the bible be cleared up.  I don’t want to embarrass any of the girls who posted it but I just feel the record should be set straight.  Ruth did not “patiently wait” for Boaz.  Ruth was married.  Her husband died so she followed her mother-in-law (whose husband had also died Ruth 1:1-5) back to Naomi’s family.  Then Ruth worked for him a while.  Then, she went in to his room (uninvited) and laid at the foot of his bed (well, "threshing floor" but where he slept nonetheless Ruth 3:6-9).  It was actually super scandalous and so far from “patiently waiting.”  Also I think that it is ironic that it says the biblical advice is not to “settle for any of his relatives” since Ruth’s husband was, in fact, Boaz’s relative. 

           Well I feel better, don’t you?  Moral to the story: even the bible has a whole lot of different ways to form relationships.  People try to make a follow and obey program that works but really, it is just a married person thinking that what worked for them will work for everyone.  Not the case my friend.  And remember when it comes to the bible…GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT!          

           Shout out to my Dad.