SCRIPTURE: Ruth 3:1-18
OBSERVATION:
A different time and culture. This passage is descriptive (describing how it happened), not prescriptive (prescribing how it should happen). This should be a caution to us when we read the Bible, to not make laws out of things that are not laws.
Ruth is a model of humility and loyalty, the kind of values God honours (see 1 Peter 3:3-4). This story also shows how the community admired her good qualities (v.11).
Although Ruth, Boaz and Naomi are main characters in this story, the center stage belongs to God, He is the ‘hero’ in this story, at work behind the scenes. This is also the case with the story of Esther.
APPLICATION:
At times I have mis-read the Bible, trying to make principles and rules from Bible stories. A reminder that the Bible is not God speaking, but God speaks through the Bible – a subtle but important distinction.
What is my true character? Is it the same humble, gentle spirit of Ruth, of Jesus? Do I want it to be? I may not be there yet, but do I desire to be? Paul urges me to have the same attitude as Jesus (see Philippians 2:1-11).
What is God up to behind the story of my life? Like Ruth, I belong to His story, my plot serves His plot. Is my character serving the ‘hero’ or am I resisting what God wants to do in/with me? Like Ruth, God is bringing me into His story to ‘give birth’ to Jesus in the world around me.
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for Your gentle, quiet work in my life, and for using me to help others. Help me to surrender to Your purpose and quit running away. Amen.
Although it may be strange to us, Ruth did what the law of Israel stated. Ruth was a woman of virtue and uprightness. Boaz was was also upright as a judge of Israel. His promise was conditional should there be a kinsman nearer than he. Ruth did all that was expected of her and now she had to wait patiently. It was all up to Boaz, her kinsman.
I need to cast all my cares upon the Lord, my Redeemer, my Kinsman. He has promised to be my guardian, my Kinsman. I need to seek His directions for my life and for my children and for my friends so that it may be well with my soul. The Lord, the Lord, my God is my strength and Tower!
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrow like sea billows roll;
What ever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
It is well with my soul;
It is well
It is well, it is well with my soul
with my soul;