Hope
Hi everyone. In chapter three we begin to see something powerful happening in Naomi's life-because of God's great kindness bestowed to her through Boaz, strength begins to awaken in her heart. As the days and weeks pass, somewhere Naomi begins to prepare for Ruth's future.
One of the things about depression is that it takes away your strength to walk into the future with purpose. You live in a survival-mentality: I just need to find the strength to get through the day. Somehow I got to make it through the day. There is no strength to walk into the future with hope and purpose.
However, now we are seeing Naomi's hope coming alive in the kindness of God. Naomi is showing us just how incredibly powerful the Lord's kindness is. It is reaching into the broken places of her devastated heart and bringing strength and a renewed sense of purpose. Because of God's amazing kindness she is beginning to put this strength to use in preparing for Ruth's future.
Ruth 3:2-5 "Now Boaz, with whose women you have worked, is a relative of ours. Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don't let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. When he lies down, note the place where he is lying, Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do." Ruth answered, "I will do whatever you say."
So Naomi's plan to secure Ruth's future is this: "Make yourself presentable. Take a bath, put on clean clothes. A little perfume won't hurt. Then go down to the threshing floor tonight. When you see Boaz go lie down, follow him and go lie down at his feet."
Wow! A bold move on Naomi's part, wouldn't you say? It is. But it is also obvious that Naomi knows Boaz is head-over-heels in love with Ruth. Naomi knows Boaz fell in love with her the moment he laid his eyes on her. Naomi's "an old girl" that's been around for a long time and she just "has a nose for these things." So now Naomi is putting a plan into action because her heart will not rest until she knows Ruth's future is secure.
Also in Naomi's plan we see God's goodness in Boaz's life. You see, throughout the book of Ruth, what does Boaz continually call her? Ruth 3:9, 10 "Who are you," Boaz asked. "I am your servant, Ruth," she said. "Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer of our family." Boaz answered, "The Lord bless you, my daughter."
Throughout the book of Ruth, Boaz continually calls Ruth, "My daughter."
It is obvious from this story Boaz is much older than Ruth. However, he is in love with her. Yet, how hard it is for a much older man to tell a younger woman, "I love you. I am in love with you." Based on Boaz's actions and reactions to Ruth throughout the story, it is safe to assume that there had to be times he struggled with the idea. There had to be times he wrestled with the thought, "I wonder if she has her eye on a rich, young man? Someone her age that is very strong and handsome...What would she want with an old goat like me? She could pick any man she wants."
I believe God is on His throne looking down on the whole thing and thinking, "If I wait on Boaz, this ain't ever gonna happen. So instead of sending Boaz to Ruth, I am going to send Ruth to Boaz." Yes, in Naomi's plan we even see God's incredible goodness to Boaz.
I know our blog for today is shorter than usual, but the lesson is quite clear: hopelessness is a powerful force in our world today, but the kindness of God is stronger. Where there is the Lord's kindness, hope always springs forth.
Comments
Post a Comment