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
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