The Three-strand Cord

Posted On July 13, 2024

Book of Ruth

The book of Ruth is nestled in the Old Testament between the highly dramatic books of Judges and I Samuel (I Kingdoms – OSB). It is almost hidden as the history of Israel unfolds. However, this tiny book shines like a glowing ember amid the confusion and darkness in the time of the Judges (about 1380 – 1045 BC). It radiates the beauty and warmth of love in a world of selfishness and hard-heartedness.

Beholding the state of our world today, we might note the resemblance to the view which Isaiah wrote in his day, “as a drunken man staggers in his vomit” (Isaiah 19:14) and again, “the earth shall reel like a drunkard” (Isaiah 24:20).

So many among us may be wondering whether there is any hope and yearning for a lifeline to lift us from the dark and stormy seas. Will someone throw us that rope? Is there a rope strong enough to retrieve us and pull us to safety on the shore?

Yes, there is! There is actually a three-strand cord to be found in the beautiful story of Ruth. But before we open that well, may I share some thoughts that led me there.

While wandering (or being led) through the book of Ecclesiastes, a verse caught my attention, “And a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12).

What is so special about a threefold or three-strand cord? Through some searching, I found that a three-strand rope is twice as strong as a two-strand and much stronger than a single strand of the same diameter. A three-strand rope is superior in abrasion resistance, durability, and strength. Furthermore, it has an added advantage in its ability to absorb shock, allowing for a more gradual transfer of energy to its strands. This seems to be because each strand touches each other strand along the entire length of the rope.

The term which Solomon used in that verse was “chuwt” (pronounced khoot”), a string, measuring tape or thread. He used a slightly different word later, “chebel” (pronounced “khay-bel”)  to speak of the time of one’s life. “Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed —- then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it”. (Ecclesiastes 12:6,7).

So, we may think of the passage of time, the measuring of history, as a cord weaving its way through generation after generation. Some cords may be weak or flawed, unable to withstand the pressures and mistreatment placed upon them. Thus, they tear and break, and events and memories are lost. But when the cords are strong, durable and abrasion resistant, they accomplish their task and deliver their load, so those events and memories live on.

Such it is with the cord of the promises of God and the historical lineage of Jesus Christ. Yes, that cord has been tested time and time again through the ages, but it has held fast. It was still intact from the promise to the aged Abraham (Genesis 22:18; Galatians 3:8,16) to its fulfillment in the youthful Mary (Luke 1:46ff; 2:11). It reached from Mt. Moriah to the cave in Bethlehem.

Among those numerous times of testing, perhaps there is none more obvious than in the days of the Judges and the glowing ember in the story of Ruth.

We will assume that you are familiar with this beautiful story of a widow, Naomi, who found herself stranded in a foreign land, Moab, with her two widowed daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth. Since this will not be a study of the story itself, you might do well to take a few minutes to read it again.

Upon returning to her former home in Bethlehem of Judah along with Ruth, Naomi faced many grave uncertainties. Her friends and neighbors had remained and suffered through the recent famine. How would they receive her now? She brought with her a Moabite girl whose people were adversaries of the Jews. Would they accept her into their midst? Naomi returned in a state of poverty with no husband nor sons to provide for her support. Who would care for her now?

It must have been a daunting experience for Naomi in crossing the Jordan River and entering Bethlehem. But “something” within her supplied an inner strength to make that return journey from Moab. St. Paul may have best described that “something” many years later in his letter to the Hebrews, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

Although she readily admitted to being bitter from all her misfortunes (Ruth 1:20), Naomi was determined to step out of the past and step into the future – for herself and for Ruth – by faith.

As the story unfolds, while reconnecting with her friends and wisely guiding Ruth into a new life, the reality of Naomi’s faith shines brighter and brighter. The journey from the emptiness in Moab to holding her grandson in her arms in Bethlehem is a testimony to the words of our Lord, “if you have faith as a mustard seed …… nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20).

We may note here that Naomi could not have known that she was the first strand in God’s divine cord during this time.

Ruth, despite her youth, had seen her share of hurt and heartache as well. Her husband, Mahlon, had died and she was left childless. For some reason, she would not return to her parents there in Moab but chose to follow her Jewish mother-in-law back to a foreign land where she may not be accepted.

Some would say that “life had not been kind to Ruth”. And yet, as with Naomi, we might consider what was taking place on the inside rather than bemoaning the outer circumstances. You see, Ruth also had a “something” within her; a virtue that would soon play such an important part in her future.

Again, we turn to St. Paul’s writing for some understanding: “tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint” (Romans 5: 3-5).

Doubtless, young Ruth had perceived that “something” in Naomi which she could rely on. What she could see ahead was more desirable than what she had known before. Despite the broken pieces in her past, Ruth possessed a living hope in her heart. That hope would grow with each passing day, manifesting itself in the barley fields, on the threshing floor, and fulfilled in the birth of her son.

In an amazingly mutual fashion, Ruth’s hope energized Naomi’s faith and Naomi’s faith assured Ruth’s hope.

Neither could Ruth have known that she was chosen to be the second strand in God’s divine cord for that time.

Naomi’s deceased husband, Elimelech, was from the tribe of Judah. From among Elimelech’s family there was a relative, Boaz, who was a successful farmer near Bethlehem. We cannot know when this particular thought came to Naomi, but at some point, she wondered whether Ruth might find a future with Boaz. So, when Ruth asked to go and glean grain for them in his fields, Naomi quickly agreed. She knew that Boaz was a good man, caring, virtuous and had a loving heart. His workers respected him (Ruth 2:4) and the community esteemed him. He was clearly generous and kind to the poor who gleaned in his fields.

When Boaz first met Ruth (having heard about her through the “grapevine”), he was quite clearly moved in his heart. He exhorted her to remain in his fields, stay close to the young women working there, and rest whenever she needed. Further, he commanded his young male workers not to touch her. He also commended her for caring for Naomi and coming with her to this new land. He asked that the Lord bless her and reward her. All this emanating from a heart of love.

The love which Boaz had for God, for Naomi, and for Ruth became even more evident when he willingly agreed to assume the role of kinsman/ redeemer (Leviticus 25:25) and acquire Elimelech’s estate. This would bring about a drastic change in his life. In doing so, he relieved Naomi’s poverty. Further, he chose to marry Ruth and fulfill her life as a wife and mother. Also, think of the joy this brought to Naomi. Her life was redeemed as she held the baby in her arms and became his nurse (Ruth 4:14-16).

The fruit of that loving decision came to pass with the birth of their son, Obed, who became the grandfather of David the King and ancestor of Christ. In St. Paul’s words, “Love never fails” (I Corinthians 13:8).

And yet, we say again, Boaz could not have known that God had chosen him to be the third strand in His divine cord in that time.

Those three beautiful people, Naomi (Faith), Ruth (Hope), and Boaz (Love), were chosen and bound together in perilous times to become the link in God’s three-strand cord. That cord would preserve the promise of Christ for us men and our salvation. In a wonderful way, each of their gifts were shared with the others to absorb any shock or stress waged against it. “And a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12).

There is a greater three-strand cord which reaches from eternity past to eternity future. It is that of the Holy Trinity, with each strand, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, bound together in perfect unity which nothing can break. It is the lifeline offered to all people seeking salvation from sin sorrow, and death. Those who receive Christ are then absorbed into that divine cord (John 1:12) and become “partakers of the divine nature” (II Peter 1:3,4). We are then born into a life in which, “Now, there abides these three, faith, hope and love” (I Corinthians 13:13).

To God be the glory; great things He has done!

Fr. Andrew