Ruth Chapter 3
Happenstance? Coincidence? or Divine Providence?
Reviewing to the point where we are now we make certain observations and wonder if it all just happened!
Did it just happen that Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem?
Did it just happen that Ruth was determined to follow her?
Did it just happen that they returned at the time of the barley harvest?
Did it just happen that Ruth ended up in the field of Boaz?
Did it just happen that Boaz arrived the same day Ruth started gleaning in his field?
Did it just happen that Boaz noticed Ruth among all the others?
Did it just happen that Boaz happened to be a near kinsman?
All these "happenstances" would be nonexistent but for Ruth's determination to do the right thing in accompanying Naomi back to Bethlehem!
They would not have happened if Ruth was unwilling to step out into the unknown!
It would not have happened if Ruth was not a committed, dedicated individual who was willing to work!
Ruth did not set herself a goal of looking for an eligible man! She set herself to look after and care for a needy and desperate soul without thought to her own future, comfort or self satisfaction! But her first determined step to minister to Naomi lead her in the right direction to her destiny with the Messiah and if she incidentally caught the eye of an eligible man then Yahweh Himself threw a huge handful of purpose in her way!!!
Insignificant incidents and things usually have national and international results.
Rebecca just happened to be the one who appeared when Eleazar stopped by the well in his quest for Isaac's wife.
Pharaoh's daughter just happened to be going for a bath the same time Moses floated by in his weatherproof basket.
A little captive Israelite maid just happen to a slave in Naaman's household!
A slave boy named Joseph was sold by his brothers to Ishmaelites who took him to Egypt!
When God is involved things do not JUST HAPPEN!
The Bible says:
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 KJV
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Psalms 37:23 KJV
But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. Job 23:10 KJV
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV
Our inaction or action can either destroy our brethren or build them up. Think back to Orpah. She was a good girl who loved Naomi. She was also ready to accompany Naomi to Bethlehem. When the choice was however laid out before her she chose comfort security and her own personal desires over what seemed like a dead-end, boring, unfruitful, end.
The difference between Orpah and Ruth was that Orpah was basically selfish in her choices while Ruth was unselfishly seeing a great need and an opportunity to make a difference in someone else's life rather than her own.
Orpah pursued her own future, Ruth made Naomi her future.
Orpah settled for creature comfort. Ruth attended to the comfort of a creature!
Orpah was the '...love you but I have a future', Ruth was the '...love you and will look after you somehow!'
Orpah still had ties and roots in Moab, Ruth severed all ties with Moab
Orpah exemplified a profession of affection, Ruth a pursuer after affection!
Orpah merely showed affection, Ruth lived intense devotion
Orpah is quickly dissuaded, Ruth will not be distracted
Orpah returned to her gods, Ruth stuck with Yahweh
Orpah preferred a husband and personal happiness, Ruth prefered Yahweh and Naomi's comfort.
Orpah went back and disappeared into oblivion, Ruth moved forward and is forever on the Messianic Timeline.
Orpah kissed while Ruth clave (clung, stuck like glue!)
Ruth could have truthfully sang the song "I've come too far to turn back"
They both appear alike to the casual observer but man only sees the outward appearance while God looks upon the heart.
How many have not made a decision to follow and serve Christ but did not follow through!? Many kiss Jesus on Sundays, if they actually are at church, then return to the world the rest of the week, for the love of pleasure and selfish satisfaction is more prevalent in their lives than love for God! They sincerely claim to love God but they constantly respond to the call of the wild! The Bible speaks of them in this manner: For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 2 Timothy 3:2-5 KJV
The Bible says: Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 1 John 2:15-17 KJV
Naomi has a plan for Ruth to get the man!
Naomi who is well versed in the customs and traditions of Israel and the Mosaic Law takes a commanding role at this point in leading Ruth to her destiny.
From being a distraught, disillusioned woman Naomi becomes an active, rather the major player in bringing the Ruth-Boaz union to a fruitful conclusion. She wants Ruth to be settled, safe, secure and succored...and who better than Boaz the mighty man of wealth and a close kinsman!
Note: The decision of Ruth made, to leave Moab for Bethlehem, has affected the entwined lives of all involved but more so Naomi and Boaz..
1. Ruth's decision produced a glorious change in Naomi's outlook and disposition!
Naomi experienced a revival in her spirit and an eagerness to become involved again. The empty broken bitter woman was slowly healed by the continuous companionship and constant caring of the resilient Ruth!
Naomi spoke at the beginning:
... the hand of the LORD is gone out against me. Ruth 1:13 KJV;
... Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. Ruth 1:20 KJV
...I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me? Ruth 1:21 KJV
From being the desolate, bitter, broken woman who mocked her own name saying that she was not Naomi (Sweet and Pleasant) but Mara (Bitter) hear her response and reaction to Ruth's endeavors and result:
And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen. Ruth 2:20 KJV
God has in NO WAY changed! He remained the same! He is always the same! It is Naomi who has changed for the better, and this is because Ruth made an earth-changing, destiny molding decision at the every beginning and remaining faithful and true to the end in her commitment:
To put God first, before finding a husband,
To put the care and comfort of someone else before her own
To put her whole will and effort into making the best of her new lifestyle.
She NEVER gave up!
There are many like Naomi in this life, people who have been disappointed in life and have sunk into a pit of gloom sorrow and self absorption. They have given up on living an abundant life and are content to let their existence simply drag on and on an on, until like Macbeth's wife they say:
To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
They have become shadows of their former selves and are desperately in need of a Ruth who will work diligently, unselfishly and lovingly to bring them to the point where life takes on new meaning and they are eager to live for the joy that is now set before them! The Ruths of this world are the precious jewels that face adversity with unstinting brilliance, reflecting a glorious inner beauty that attracts and brightens all who comes into contact with them. They are willing to put their own personal life aside in their sacrificial service to others. As Jesus said Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28 KJV
We are therefore exhorted to be Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 KJV
So, from being just a passive receiver Naomi became an active schemer: Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee? And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor. Ruth 3:1-2 KJV
Ruth is now advised by Naomi to have a Hollywood style Extreme Makeover into the woman she really is, the one that caught Mahlon's eyes at the beginning. Naomi is well aware of the qualities and the allurement Ruth possesses, as any mother in law worth her salt should be. Remember Ruth was always out in the fields working, hot and sweaty and least interested in appearance in her effort to obtain sustenance. Boaz was now about to get the full impact of Ruth's beauty and charm!
Nsomi also proceeds to coach Ruth in the custom of the land concerning the kinsman redeemer.
Naomi is familiar with the custom of Israel and Ruth is willing to place her trust in Naomi whom she had followed from Moab to Bethlehem, and to follow her instructions to the letter. It is quite plain that she was a willing party to the plan for it's obvious she was interested in the man as he was in her!
And Ruth is an apt and good student! She learns quickly and carried out the lesson plan with great success! Ruth heads towards a grand conclusion and fitting reward for her total devotion, dedication and duty towards Yahweh under whose wings she had come to trust and the expression of her new faith in her unreserved care for Naomi.
Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking. And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do. And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do. And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her. And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down. Ruth 3:3-7 KJV
2. Ruth's total devotion and commitment to Yahweh and Naomi awakes admiration in Boaz that is fanned into ardent desire to be her husband!
In modern times Naomi's plans and Ruth's collusion might appear as a seduction plot by Ruth aided by Naomi but in actuality it was an accepted custom defined by law so there was nothing immoral or brazen about Ruth's action. Boaz immediately recognized the petition for what it was...a plea for protection, provision, placement, a petition for a redeemer and is more than willing to grant Ruth the desire of her heart's and also his!
And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman. And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman. Ruth 3:9-11 KJV
In Chapter 2:12 Boaz says The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust. Ruth 2:12 KJV declaring that Ruth had made a full commitment of herself to the mercy of Yahweh. He blesses her for putting her trust in the covering of Yahweh's wings referring of course NOT to actual wings but drawing a parallel to the hen that gather her chicks under her wings for shelter and protection! The psalmist says of Yahweh that: He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Psalms 91:4 KJV
Jesus used the same metaphor in His yearning over Jerusalem: O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Matthew 23:37 KJV
When Ruth besought Boaz to spread his skirt over her as a near kinsman the same word kanaph used for wings in 2:12 is used here in 3:9. Ruth, in making this petition, is seeking the protection, covering and name of Boaz. She is petitioning him to marry her as the near kinsman just as she was coached by Naomi. The plan is a success as Boaz is more than willing to do what Ruth asked. Boaz is delighted that Ruth shows preference for him and says so: And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman. Ruth 3:10-11 KJV
Boaz references Ruth as a virtuous woman and uses the same word chayil used in Proverbs 31 reference to a virtuous woman.
Boaz sets himself the task of getting rid of the competition clearing the way for their union and Ruth is well on her way to success in her plan for her destiny a fitting conclusion and reward for the compassion, commitment and consecration to the God of Israel and to Naomi! It absolutely confirms the declaration of Jesus: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33 KJV
Let us seek His Kingdom first and foremost as we commit our whole lives to His service!
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2 KJV
