Scripture: Ruth 3:11
And now, remedy my daughter, diagnosis don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character.

Thought for the Day: Virtue as a moral attribute was an unfamiliar concept to the ancient Hebrews. This might strike you as odd, since many of us think of the Ten Commandments as a sort of virtue litmus test. But in the First Testament, the word hayil, which would eventually be used to convey this moral concept of virtue to people like us, actually meant strength or valor. And it’s always used to refer to women such as Ruth. It’s not really until 2 Peter that virtue appears as an ethical quality, and then only because it is a reflection of God’s righteousness.

The “virtues” we think of today come from Greek philosophy, most notably Aristotle, but the ancient Greek concept of morality and virtue is not present anywhere in Scripture, because for the Stoics, the virtuous life was something humans were capable of attaining intellectually. Christian virtue is not something gained through human activity, but rather is the fruit of the Spirit in the life of the believer. For early Christians, especially Paul, the virtuous life of which Christ is an example, is impossible for us to attain without God’s help. The truly virtuous life can never be gained by intellect alone, it requires giving our souls completely to the righteousness of God.

Prayer: Mold me, Holy God, into a better image of your just and merciful nature. Guide my actions so they reflect your thoughtfulness, my tongue so it speaks only love, and my mind so it more often and more deeply senses your presence. Amen.