Ruth 3:1-4
When I was in college, I really didn’t care about dating a whole lot. I dated some girls, but I was more obsessed with serving the Lord and sports. I know, big surprise. By the time my senior year came along, I had a cute freshman that was interested in me, but in all honesty, we were going in two different directions. I had dated a girl my sophomore year, but that didn’t work out. I really had very few prospects at the time, that is until my sister decided to talk to this cute blonde about me.
That’s when it all started. We started writing letters to one another. Can you imagine that? The good ole days. A relationship was started, and we would soon go on that infamous date at Joe Louis Arena (if you know, you know). God had provided a wife for me, and a wonderful one at that. This was an important time in my life because I needed a good wife. It’s really hard to be a pastor and not have a faithful wife to share in the ministry with you. In fact, it’s near impossible.
The funny thing was that my sister told Tami that “her brother needed a wife to be a pastor,” and she wasn’t wrong. I did, and I have the best wife. The Lord did indeed provide for me. For many of you, you understand because God has provided the perfect help-meet for you.
While it may have looked a little different, Ruth needed a spouse. In fact, without one she was in danger of starvation and manipulation that often could lead to physical abuse. In the ancient world culture, the family inheritance was passed down through the son, not the daughter. So, the crafty Naomi came up with a gameplan to get her wonderful daughter-in-law a husband. She believed that God would provide.
Remember, there was a Jewish law that allowed for the “nearest relative” of a deceased man to take on the deceased man’s widow providing for her. The Mosaic Law called this person the kinsman-redeemer as he took responsibility for the extended family as well. Naomi was hoping that Boaz (her relative) would notice Ruth, and take her as his wife or point her to someone who would marry her.
So, Naomi sent Ruth to the “threshing floor” to “glean” which was her opportunity to provide for both her and her mother-in-law. The threshing floor was the place where grain was separated from the harvested wheat. The wheat stalks were crushed, and the valuable grain (inner kernels) were separated from the worthless chaff (the outside shell). Boaz would be there, and as “owner,” he would spend the night there to prevent theft and to wait his turn to harvest the grain.
What Naomi asked Ruth to do could appear to be seductive and inappropriate, but it was the opposite. According to a Jewish custom, it was commonplace for a servant to lie at the feet of his master and even share a part of his covering. This would inform the master that his servant was “asking for help” - be a kinsman-redeemer. She was in essence asking Boaz to provide for her - “marry me or find someone to marry me.” It was a cultural option or opportunity, nothing romantic.
This took a lot of trust on Naomi and Ruth’s part to do such a thing. This action could have been rejected, and it could have led to great embarrassment. Sometimes you have to take a risk to receive the reward! Are you willing to take a risk? Ruth was. What happens next is the grace of God! Make sure you read the rest of this week’s devotionals to see how it all turns out. For now, realize this, God is always working. He always provides. Do your plans have him at the center of them? If they do, get ready! He is moving and working with his glory and your good in mind!
That’s when it all started. We started writing letters to one another. Can you imagine that? The good ole days. A relationship was started, and we would soon go on that infamous date at Joe Louis Arena (if you know, you know). God had provided a wife for me, and a wonderful one at that. This was an important time in my life because I needed a good wife. It’s really hard to be a pastor and not have a faithful wife to share in the ministry with you. In fact, it’s near impossible.
The funny thing was that my sister told Tami that “her brother needed a wife to be a pastor,” and she wasn’t wrong. I did, and I have the best wife. The Lord did indeed provide for me. For many of you, you understand because God has provided the perfect help-meet for you.
While it may have looked a little different, Ruth needed a spouse. In fact, without one she was in danger of starvation and manipulation that often could lead to physical abuse. In the ancient world culture, the family inheritance was passed down through the son, not the daughter. So, the crafty Naomi came up with a gameplan to get her wonderful daughter-in-law a husband. She believed that God would provide.
Remember, there was a Jewish law that allowed for the “nearest relative” of a deceased man to take on the deceased man’s widow providing for her. The Mosaic Law called this person the kinsman-redeemer as he took responsibility for the extended family as well. Naomi was hoping that Boaz (her relative) would notice Ruth, and take her as his wife or point her to someone who would marry her.
So, Naomi sent Ruth to the “threshing floor” to “glean” which was her opportunity to provide for both her and her mother-in-law. The threshing floor was the place where grain was separated from the harvested wheat. The wheat stalks were crushed, and the valuable grain (inner kernels) were separated from the worthless chaff (the outside shell). Boaz would be there, and as “owner,” he would spend the night there to prevent theft and to wait his turn to harvest the grain.
What Naomi asked Ruth to do could appear to be seductive and inappropriate, but it was the opposite. According to a Jewish custom, it was commonplace for a servant to lie at the feet of his master and even share a part of his covering. This would inform the master that his servant was “asking for help” - be a kinsman-redeemer. She was in essence asking Boaz to provide for her - “marry me or find someone to marry me.” It was a cultural option or opportunity, nothing romantic.
This took a lot of trust on Naomi and Ruth’s part to do such a thing. This action could have been rejected, and it could have led to great embarrassment. Sometimes you have to take a risk to receive the reward! Are you willing to take a risk? Ruth was. What happens next is the grace of God! Make sure you read the rest of this week’s devotionals to see how it all turns out. For now, realize this, God is always working. He always provides. Do your plans have him at the center of them? If they do, get ready! He is moving and working with his glory and your good in mind!
Posted in Devotional