Ruth 3:10-18
10 “The Lord bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. 11 And now, my daughter, 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. 12 Although it is true that I am a guardian-redeemer of our family, there is another who is more closely related than I. 13 Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to do his duty as your guardian-redeemer, good; let him redeem you. But if he is not willing, as surely as the Lord lives I will do it. Lie here until morning.”
14 So she lay at his feet until morning, but got up before anyone could be recognized; and he said, “No one must know that a woman came to the threshing floor.”
15 He also said, “Bring me the shawl you are wearing and hold it out.” When she did so, he poured into it six measures of barley and placed the bundle on her. Then he[c] went back to town.
16 When Ruth came to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked, “How did it go, my daughter?”
Then she told her everything Boaz had done for her 17 and added, “He gave me these six measures of barley, saying, ‘Don’t go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’”
18 Then Naomi said, “Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today.”
The story so far: Naomi has left Moab, where she had been living for ten years because there was famine in her own land, and returned to Israel. Ruth, her Moabite daughter-in-law, returned with her. Boaz, Naomi’s cousin and a powerful man in the area, having heard of the way Ruth has been caring for her mother-in-law, allows her to work in his fields. Naomi then hatches a bold and risky plan for Ruth to gain the attention of Boaz – a potential guardian-redeemer (someone who could take responsibility for a deceased relative’s land, property and even widow). This week’s verses begin with Ruth at the feet of Boaz in the middle of the night.
Monday 20th Feb
10 “The Lord bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. 11 And now, my daughter, 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. 12 Although it is true that I am a guardian-redeemer of our family, there is another who is more closely related than I. 13 Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to do his duty as your guardian-redeemer, good; let him redeem you. But if he is not willing, as surely as the Lord lives I will do it. Lie here until morning.”
Boaz is pleasantly surprised and even shocked to find Ruth choosing him as a guardian-redeemer, rather than chasing after younger men. Boaz then shows such quality of character in his response. A lesser man could have done so many other things. Thinking of the worst-case scenarios – he could have rejected her, taken advantage of her, ignored any sense of responsibility or even harmed her. Alternatively, with good intentions he could have rushed things through, ignoring any other potential guardian-redeemer and even taken her as his wife there and then.
But no! Boaz hits a 10/10 in his response, character and actions. He is kind, responsible, self-controlled, wise and aware of the wider situation. He is so blinking perfect! Most of the other bible characters I can think of are rough edged heroes. David who defeats Goliath also sleeps with another man’s wife, Abraham with great faith also lies about his wife Sarah. But Boaz, and Ruth for that matter, both seem so above reproach and perfect!
Maybe the writer, who was inspired by the Holy Spirit, is trying to communicate something here. Maybe this story is pointing to someone much greater, to a long-awaited redeeming messiah. Jesus Christ is our guardian-redeemer. Jesus is kind, responsible, self-controlled, wise and aware of the wider situation. Jesus also responded with wisdom and compassion to a brave yet vulnerable woman who fell at his feet (I’m thinking of the woman with an alabaster jar of perfume).
Boaz is very impressive, but hopefully this story points us to reflect further on the goodness of our Lord Jesus Christ. As we reflect, we inevitably become more aware of our weaknesses. We may become more aware of our need to be redeemed. I certainly am aware of my need to draw closer to Jesus so that my character might become more like him.
Tuesday 21st Feb
10 “The Lord bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. 11 And now, my daughter, 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. 12 Although it is true that I am a guardian-redeemer of our family, there is another who is more closely related than I. 13 Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to do his duty as your guardian-redeemer, good; let him redeem you. But if he is not willing, as surely as the Lord lives I will do it. Lie here until morning.”
Yesterday we reflected on Boaz’ wonderful upright character and how in many ways this points towards the person of Jesus Christ. Today we will look further into how robust Boaz’ character is even when tired and off guard.
It is worth noting that this part of the story happened in the middle of the night and after Boaz had had a few wines! It was also a shock and a surprise for Boaz to find a young woman at his feet which could potentially knock him off guard. Often when we are tired and our defences are down our true character comes out. This can also happen when we are pressured or pushed by difficult circumstances. When you are squeezed or pressed what comes out? I find this such a challenge and Boaz is a real inspiration. When Boaz is tired and taken off his guard he is upright and wise. He is able to make good decisions and clear assessments in the moment. Jesus displayed this kind of behaviour all the time. But what about you and me? When I am squeezed what comes out? I’m sorry to say that far too often when I’m squeezed the most ugly parts of my character rear their ugly face.
This makes me think of some verses in Matthew 15 – “But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts…” When we are squeezed the true things of our heart come out. This is a challenge for us all. When I recognise that I’m being pressed, and the ugly things are coming out I try to offer my heart afresh to Jesus. I need to ask Jesus to fill my heart with his love so that when I’m pressed his fruit will be produced. I want to be more like Jesus. Spend some time asking Jesus to fill your hearts just now.
Wednesday 22nd Feb
14 So she lay at his feet until morning, but got up before anyone could be recognized; and he said, “No one must know that a woman came to the threshing floor.”
Ruth had been both brave and bold to go and lie at Boaz’ feet in the middle of the night. It was a plan of great risk and could result in both Ruth and Boaz being the talk of the town. For this reason, Boaz instructs Ruth to leave secretly and under the cover of dusk. I wonder how Ruth felt creeping around in the early morning trying to go unnoticed. This was risky and uncomfortable. God’s salvation plan through Jesus was risky, bold and uncomfortable too! Jesus left the comfort and glory of heaven and emptied himself taking on the very nature of a servant.
What does it look like for us to take shrewd and wise risks? What would it look like for you to step out of your comfort zone? Often our love of a comfortable life or preserving our good name keeps us from taking risks. Jesus, please take the lead and direct us where to go even when it feels uncomfortable.
Thursday 23rd Feb
15 He also said, “Bring me the shawl you are wearing and hold it out.” When she did so, he poured into it six measures of barley and placed the bundle on her. Then he[c] went back to town.
Here we see the generosity of Boaz. Six measures of barley are poured out so that Ruth is not sent away empty handed. Again, Boaz steps up to the mark and I cannot help but see the reflection of God’s heart at work in this man. For Ruth, who steps towards her guardian redeemer, there is provision and generosity. In Psalm 23, we hear the psalmist rejoice as his cup overflows in the presence of the Lord. Do we always feel like this? Well the honest answer is – no, we don’t always experience this. However, for the one who steps towards their redeemer a deep joy can be found. We can also discover that Jesus is the one who both fills our cup and stays with us even in the darkest valley.
Friday 24th Feb
16 When Ruth came to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked, “How did it go, my daughter?”
Then she told her everything Boaz had done for her 17 and added, “He gave me these six measures of barley, saying, ‘Don’t go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’”
18 Then Naomi said, “Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today.”
Waiting and trusting. These are not easy things to do. Waiting and trusting in others can be very difficult. Ruth and Naomi had to wait and trust in Boaz. Take a moment to think of another moment in scripture when people had to wait and trust.
Jesus would sometimes leave his disciples for short moments and probably moments that felt too long. Why did he do this? Why does God make us wait and trust? I think God’s desire is always to deepen our trust and connection with him. He will do this in all sorts of ways. How is God doing this with you just now? Are you aware of this or maybe you are just taking matters into your own hands?
Saturday 25th Feb
Psalm 23
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Sunday 26th Feb
Philippians 2
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature[a] God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
