Great gay couples of the Bible.

Ruth 2:5-12

            The story of Ruth and Naomi is said to be one of the great same sex relationships of the Bible. It is read at the weddings of countless lesbian couples that marry as both lesbians and faithful people. It is not unlike the story of David and Jonathan who are a beacon of hope to gay lovers. The story of Jonathan and David was in fact a reading in my own wedding to my beloved husband.

            But as for Ruth we already know of her love and commitment to Naomi.  Here Ruth is working hard in the field and has gained the privilege of drinking water that has been supplied for the reapers. She is so surprised at the privilege, she asks Why have I found favour in your sight? The man answers that it is her dutiful and loving actions, her commitment to Naomi that has stood out as a model and the man wishes to honor that commitment by allowing her a privilege not open to anyone else but the reapers. She is after all a woman (who in that time was not much more than chattel). 

            I can imagine the man finding out that she is actually 'bound to Naomi' by something other than just a good heart and that they are actually a committed loving coupe. I suppose Ruth could have been stoned if he know. Then again, perhaps the man did know and he didn't care or thought it was still an extraordinary and wonderful thing. 

            When gay couples set up housekeeping as they have done for centuries and recently as our right to marry is recognized, we simply see couples living good and decent lives together. Eating, sleeping, working, doing yard work, raising kids, loving pets, paying taxes, voting, going to the movies, having BBQ's with neighbors, going to church. Just honest and full lives. Committed and loving lives. They are neighbors, dads, uncles , sons, daughters and friends. As ordinary as every other couple and no great distinction goes into their lives, no more than anyone else who loves and wishes to commit to another human being.

           Perhaps the extraordinary thing about any couple is their love, commitment and concern for each other. Maybe that stands out whether you are gay or straight. People will say, what a lovely couple, they are so in love.  On the flip side, there will be couples whose marriage will fail and something will go awry. They may grow apart, one person may cheat, one person may 'want something else'. That is not an unheard of story at all. It happens to straight couples all the time so I imagine it will happen to a gay couple or two for sure. So what is the difference between a gay couple and a straight coupe? None really.

            The extent, or fullness of love and commitment of a couple is perhaps a good gauge of how successful their marriage is, gay or straight. If you can get that down pat, if that's the relationship you have, no matter who you are, it is worth recognizing just like the love of Ruth for Naomi that the man in charge recognized. By the way, do you think the 'man in charge' might be a metaphor for God?

            

Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, ‘To whom does this young woman belong?’ The servant who was in charge of the reapers answered, ‘She is the Moabite who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab. She said, “Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves behind the reapers.” So she came, and she has been on her feet from early this morning until now, without resting even for a moment.’

Then Boaz said to Ruth, ‘Now listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women. Keep your eyes on the field that is being reaped, and follow behind them. I have ordered the young men not to bother you. If you get thirsty, go to the vessels and drink from what the young men have drawn.’ Then she fell prostrate, with her face to the ground, and said to him, ‘Why have I found favour in your sight, that you should take notice of me, when I am a foreigner?’ But Boaz answered her, ‘All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. May the Lord reward you for your deeds, and may you have a full reward from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge!’