Ruth 2:2-3
Why did Naomi not tell Ruth about Boaz’s field (cf. Ruth 2:1)? Ruth appealed to Naomi, “Please let me go to the field…?” Naomi’s only response was, “Go, my daughter” (Ruth 2:2).
Ruth 2:19-23
A bell went off in Naomi’s head upon hearing the name of Boaz (Ruth 2:20)! Sometimes, it takes only a word, even unwittingly, to make a difference in someone’s life, a word of hope, a word of encouragement to turn someone’s world completely around. In this case it was a person’s name that began filling the emptiness of her soul with hope. Her words changed from bitterly (Ruth 1:20) to blessed (Ruth 2:20; cf. Naomi describing something as good, Ruth 2:22). Ruth’s mentioning of Boaz’s name was a marker that God was actively involved with Naomi and Ruth (Rom 8:28); He had not abandoned them. She didn’t miss this one! There are several markers that indicated God was actively involved in Naomi’s life prior to this. We’ll list a few.
1. Heard (Ruth 1:6) There was good news coming out of Bethlehem, bread; the LORD had visited His people by giving them bread. That was a loaded word like jobs are today in our economy. Famine was lifted because the hearts of the people had turned to God. Do you think God might provide jobs here if…?Ruth 3:1
2. Home (Ruth 1:21) Naomi was full (in Bethlehem) running toward empty (in Moab). Now she is empty (in Moab) running toward full (in Bethlehem, cf. Ruth 4:15). We can’t afford to let empty (famine of circumstances) to drive us from the ultimate source of fulfillment (harvest in Bethlehem, the house of bread). Jesus said, I am the bread of life (Jn 6:48).
3. Harvest (Ruth 1:22) The blessings are where God is. There was no harvest in Moab or maybe there was food in Moab which is why Elimelech moved his family down there ten years ago. It is futile to flee from the chastening hand of God. If there was food in Moab and Bethlehem, there was nothing in Moab to keep Naomi there. She made a wise decision to return home.
God’s chastening is because we have turned away from Him. Staying home and taking our “licks” is far better than trying to run to the world that has something “better” to offer. That better always turns out to be emptiness. The preacher of old, R.G. Lee, in his sermon, Pay Day Some Day, said, “The devil always pays in counterfeit bills.” The lures of Moab were counterfeit, robbing Naomi of her family and ten years of her life's energy.
4. Ruth (in the midst of our trials God brings people into our lives to be a blessing.) God brought Ruth into Naomi’s life. She was an angel appearing to Naomi from the most unlikely of places, Moab.
In the event that our thinking is that unless Elimelech had not made that move to Moab, Ruth would never have happened. Perhaps this runs into the area of perfect versus permissive will of God. Elimelech was set on going to Moab because of the famine and neither God nor man was going to change that decision. God in His wisdom and sovereignty was going to make something good out of something bad. God foreknew this was going to happen.
Did God need for Elimelech to go to Moab? My opinion would be no. God does not need for us to violate HIs Word in order to accomplish His will. Such a position is untenable and out of character with God’s holiness. We are always commanded to be obedient. Blessing follows obedience. God is duty-bound to His Word. Elimelech’s capstone to his life was buried in Moab; unlike his ancestor Joseph, his bones remained there during the exodus of Naomi and Ruth out of Moab.
Naomi is reengaging in life. The best way out of depression is by helping others. You think you got problems until you see or hear about others. It is about the wounded ministering to the wounded.
Perceptive (seeing the markers)
Why didn’t Naomi tell Ruth about Boaz when she sent Ruth into the fields to glean? May I suggest that her focus on the circumstance prevented her from spotting the markers or evidences that God was working in her life, leading to depression. Her circumstances packed a wallop. The same thing can happen to us. Difficult circumstances enter our lives, and we get so focused upon what is happening that we fail to see God markers (physical or intangible) that He is there with us working all things together for good, for a higher purpose.
We cannot see a higher (vertical) purpose when we are transfixed on the lower viewpoint (horizontal) by our circumstances causing us to lose sight of hope (cf. Rom 15:4). We may never realize that higher purpose (other than to make us more like Christ for God’s glory) this side of eternity; God states there is a purpose in the life of a believer, and we have to take Him at His Word by faith (cf. Rom 8:28; Heb 11:1), that is the vertical thinking and living in the routine of life.
If we survey the story of Ruth it really is a mundane story. There are no armies or lands to conquer, no dragons to slay, no expansion of the empire, no high drama, no political intrigue, just everyday life of two women trying to survive in the Middle East. A family moves from Bethlehem due to famine, the husband and sons die in Moab, two widow women return to Bethlehem. One “accidentally” runs into the relative of the other woman; they get married and have a son in the lineage of Christ, living out the rest of their days in productive service to God. Isn’t that exciting! Ho-hum, yawn.
Actually, it is when we realize that in the mundane is where most of us live. And in the midst of our mostly prosaic, lacking an imaginative, exciting life, God is working in our midst for a higher purpose as we experience the calms and storms of life.
God is actively involved with us in the mundane, the bland, the plain, the ordinary, and the commonplace. This fact alone makes life exciting, knowing that God is with us even in the daily chores and routine of life, no matter how boring or exciting the lifestyle. God has something quite amazing in store for all of us; and we can ill-afford to allow the circumstances of life, no matter how small or large, how light or severe, to change our thinking of this energy infusing truth.
As genuine believers in Christ, we are all heading for the physicality of joint-heirs with Christ to reign and rule with Him! We are nearer the edge of eternity each passing day. It is all a matter of perspective (vertical vs. horizontal). God does things, like leaving us markers, so that we can see that it is God; without Him it would not have been possible to do the impossible. But the greatest markers are His Holy Spirit and the Word of God. It is His way to bring us to a greater dependence upon Him for His glory and our good in order to transform ordinary living into extraordinary living, Christ-likeness. Do we have spiritual discernment to recognize the markers, or are we spiritually distraught over the circumstances, too bummed out to even see the next step ahead?
This is I2P stuff, being a part of the impossible becoming possible. Becoming Christ-like in the daily routine of life is how we take our ordinary lives and transform it into something extraordinary. Who would have ever believed God would have taken a woman out of a culture of gross idolatry and change her into a godly woman who also would be included in the lineage of Christ! But that’s our God, taking the impossible and making it possible. This is going from mundane living to a magnificent living, living for a higher purpose than worldly gain. We, too, are part of the body of Christ and are destined for something far greater; we should be a people living in the hope or expectation of that reality.
Okay, most of us cannot boast of knowledge, power, or wealth because we don’t possess those things (cf. Jer 9:23); this is what the world takes stock of and pride in; this is what is only important to the world. These things are amoral, neither good nor evil; if these things (education [expansive intellectual prowess], strength [physical, political, military, or cultural prowess], or possessions [things, cf. Mk 8:36]) are for God’s glory then it’s a good thing; if not, it can be a bad thing. The little we do have, however, in the way of wisdom, might, or riches, can be a stumbling block if we do not realize whatever we have is because of Him and it is to be used for His glory.
When our boasting to others becomes centered on these three areas, where the world puts the emphasis, rather than understanding and knowing the LORD (cf. Jer 9:24), then it becomes something evil in the life of a believer. The All-knowing, the All-powerful, and the All- His is not impressed with the pitiful boasting of those who have settled for far less. The greater wisdom, might, and riches are found in understanding and knowing the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. In these things the LORD delights.
When was the last time you or I ever saw lovingkindness, judgment, and righteous coming forth from those whose lives are entirely focused in boasting in their knowledge, power, and possessions? Those things never come forth from a self-centered heart, only from those who have a serving-centered heart that boasts in knowing and understanding the LORD, Christ-like believers.
Is there anything we can do to turn an ordinary life into an extraordinary life? Yes there is. We can pursue holiness (1 Pet 1:15; Rom 12:2) and delight in being Christ-like (2 Pet 3:18). This takes an effort to read, study, and meditate on God’s Word and applying it to the daily routine of life. Being Christ-like is what takes an ordinary life and transforms it into an extraordinary life. The world may or may not take notice, but God does; He is the only One we should really concern ourselves with about pleasing.
Praise-oriented (steering from criticism)
Critics are a dime a dozen; and everyone has an opinion. Too often we shoot from the hip letting someone have it rather than keeping that pistol holstered and drawing from praise. I want to briefly talk about giving bible characters the benefit of the doubt when lacking sufficient information and carrying that over into the body of Christ. It is a good practice if lacking hard data or facts concerning someone to offer them the benefit of the doubt. I do not share the same opinion of the author of today’s lesson on Ruth’s behavior in chapter three. It is this strange ancient Near Eastern practice of uncovering the feet and being placed under someone’s wing of protection that is the center of controversy in the book of Ruth.
It is an unnecessary distraction that there is possible impropriety on Ruth’s part. We need to exercise care in the criticism of the saints (those in Scripture, for we will see them in heaven, and those here on earth). What if you and I were found to be in the wrong place at the wrong time by God’s choice (We discussed this two weeks ago; see lucottos.blogspot.com for 12.20.09.)? Wouldn’t we want for others to give us the benefit of the doubt? It’s called the Golden Rule (Mt 7:12)! God may choose for us to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and allow the tide of criticism to roll in (cf. Job’s situation). Well, apparently Ruth was in the right place at the right time and she is taking the heat from the critics on what they perceive as questionable behavior. Criticism can be very destructive in nature when things are taken out of context.
Ruth 3:7
Drunk (Heb, shathah [H8354] = drinking any kind of liquid. Also found in Ruth 2:9, drink; Ruth 3:3, drinking. This verb can be used of quenching or satisfying thirst (Gen 24:18-19 or becoming inebriated (Gen 9:21; 2 Sam 13:28). The context in Ruth indicates Boaz was not drunk for two reasons beginning with the obvious: (1) Boaz cannot guard his grain from robbers if he is intoxicated, and (2) His subsequent words and actions toward Ruth indicate he was in command of his senses.
Cheerful (Heb, yatab [H3190] = merry (KJV), to be well, to be pleased, to be happy). Yatab is used in idiomatic expression with Boaz’s heart (seat of the emotions, the will, and the intellect). Also found in Ruth 3:1, well; Ruth 3:10, more (NKJV), better (NASB), greater (ESV). Boaz had a sense of well being which could be related to having a full harvest in contrast to the years of famine (cf. Eccl 3:13 from an earthy point of view; Isa 9:3; Deut 16:15); he was feeling satisfied. This cheerfulness is associated with the heart and the harvest. Boaz is in full command of his senses to protect his grain.
She came softly, uncovered his feet, and lay down
Boaz interpreted Ruth’s bold actions as a request for marriage (Ruth 3:10, 12-13). His words and actions throughout have been nothing less than honorable and noble.
1. His godly demeanor toward his employees, Ruth 2:4Some commentators see Naomi and Ruth as wily and conniving (Ruth 3:3-4). Some see an older wealthy man, an eligible bachelor, and a good looking young woman, economically strapped, looking for security and a free ride. Isn’t that what we think when we see a beautiful woman with an older man who is so ugly he could sue his mother for damages? What is our first thought, “She’s only after his money, a money grabber.”
2. His protection of Ruth’s virtue, Ruth 2:9
3. His concern for Ruth’s emotional well being, Ruth 2:15, 16
4. His willingness to protect Ruth’s reputation, Ruth 3:11, 14; cf. Prov 31:10
But to infer this is what’s going on in the story of Ruth is insensitive to the context and cultural practices of the day. Granted this was done under the cover of darkness, but the character and reputation of Boaz and Ruth argue that there was no impropriety and both should be given the benefit of the doubt. We cannot dismiss the sovereignty and purpose of God in their future union (Ruth 4:13, 17, 22). God does not have to resort to “shady” practices to accomplish His purposes. Their admirable qualities reflect God working in their lives for His glory.
This was an ancient Near Eastern custom of appealing to her kinsman for protection and levirate marriage by the uncovering of the feet and lying down at the feet. Interesting to note, Ruth followed Naomi’s every instruction right to the letter. Notice Naomi’s instruction in Ruth 3:4, after Ruth uncovers Boaz’s feet and she lies down at his feet, Naomi says this, “and he will tell you what you should do.” Did you catch the significance of this? Boaz will recognize what Ruth is doing as was the custom of that day just as Naomi predicted (cf. Ruth 3:10-11). But did you catch what Ruth did? She, being a foreigner, added a statement on her own for Boaz; so there could be no mistake or misinterpretation on the meaning of her overtures, Take your maidservant under your wing [Heb, kanap, H3671], for you are a close relative (Ruth 3:9).
Leaving nothing to chance, this was Ruth’s way of clarifying her reason for being there in the first place. It wasn’t about hormones flying out of control but seeking a higher, more noble purpose, saving a name and land without compromising godliness. This placed her actions in a context that Boaz would quickly apprehend. It wasn’t about lust but loyalty, duty, virtues lacking today.
Spread your covering over your maid (NASB, skirt [KJV], garment [NIV], cloak [HCSB]) which was an idiom tantamount to saying, “Marry me” (cf. Ezek 16:8; Deut 22:30; Mal 2:16). This was symbolic of taking a wife and putting her under his protection. “Be a kinsman redeemer – You are a close relative (Ruth 3:9).
Almost all the pieces are locked into place for initiating the duty of a kinsman redeemer in order to rise up an heir to her deceased husband and to Naomi (cf. Ruth 4:10). A provision was provided for in the law of Moses (Deut 25:5-10) that when a man died childless, a close relative could marry the widow in order to perpetuate the family name and keep the land in the family. Since Boaz was related to Elimelech, Naomi’s departed husband, he was eligible to be a redeeming relative by marrying Ruth; Naomi was past childbearing.
The problem for Ruth was that Boaz couldn’t throw a covering over her, not legally, for there was another relative closer to Elimelech than Boaz, and this had to be resolved first (Ruth 3:12), but also Ruth remained at his feet until the early morning hours before sunrise (cf. Ruth 3:14, 16) and did not move to his side (cf. Ruth 3:14) as suggested by the author of today’s lesson; there is no way to read into this any sexual overtones; the uncovering of the feet was simply that, she exposed his feet, nothing more happened.
Indeed, the custom is strange to us, but we have to be reminded that this custom took place over three millennia’s ago; little is known of the practice. Even the passing of the sandal in chapter 4 had apparently become outdated at the reading of Ruth near or during King David’s reign and had to be mentioned (Ruth 4:7).
Because we question as to why Ruth did not tell Boaz to his face in broad daylight cannot be justification for insisting there was anything improper. The context argues against such criticism. As to why Ruth didn’t go to Boaz in daylight and ask him outright to be a kinsman redeemer we don’t know enough about the custom. Besides, Naomi, knowledgeable of current and local customs (conjecture as to extent), instructed her as to protocols dictated by custom; Ruth was a foreigner and unfamiliar with the ways of the Jews.
Progressive (going forward and growing in the Lord)
Do not fear (Ruth 3:11, Heb, yare [H3372] means do not be afraid or frightened). We see its first appearance in the English Bible in Gen 3:10 where Adam heard the voice of the LORD God in the garden and was afraid (yare). Its second usage occurs in Gen 15:1 where God is instructing Abram (Abraham) not to be afraid (yare) when God appeared unto him in a vision. Ruth is not a super saint; she is scared, alone with a man in the dark, and he tells her there is a closer relative than him, a legal snag!
Faith is about taking risks (cf. Heb 11:1). Ruth took a huge risk, humanly speaking, leaving everything behind in Moab and launching out by faith to go with Naomi to Bethlehem. She took a risk approaching Boaz. Faith works through the nervousness, the fears and trepidations. Ruth followed Naomi’s instructions to the letter (Ruth 3:5). Faith requires risk, and without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6). We see in both the book of Esther and Ruth two women working through their fears by faith, taking risks to do the right thing. Both of these two books are a documentary of Romans 8:28 (actually, the entire Bible is!).
Being the light of the world as believers (Mt 5:14) is not about basket behavior (Mt 5:15) but stepping up to the plate (cf. Esther’s death defying unannounced entrance into the Persian throne room) and letting our light shine (Mt 5:16). We must each answer the question Mordecai posed to queen Esther, Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this (Esther 4:14)? We have all attained royalty status (Rom 8:17) when we were delivered from the power of darkness (Col 1:13) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light (Col 1:12) for such a time as now – to let our light shine (cf. Eph 5:8; 1 Jn 1:7) before the world for all to see, home, work, and play….
Boaz counters Ruth’s fears (of any nervousness, vulnerability, feelings of doubt, uncertainty, misgivings, rejection, and et cetera) with a promise (Ruth 3:13) and a gesture of good will – six epahs of barley (Ruth 3:17, or sixty to eighty pounds, [probably seah not epah, see JMSB, p. 371). Jesus calms our fears and doubts and misgivings with promises of assurance (e.g., Jn 14:1ff; see 2 Cor 1:20; 2 Pet 1:4) through His Holy Spirit (Jn 14:16; 16:13; 2 Cor 1:22) and His Word (Rom 15:4, 2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:21).
Patient (waiting on God)
Sit still…until you know. Wait (NASB) Waiting is considered the most difficult part of faith, when no more can be done but to wait on God (cf. Psa 46:10; Ruth 4:1). Contrast v. 3, go down). Ruth was given a timeline; often we are not provided with that luxury, only to trust (Prov 3:5-6).
This waiting is even more difficult when we consider that stillness is revolutionary to a godless culture that is “advancing” at break-neck speed, fast paced, busy, frenetic with activity, unrelenting, spiraling out of control. It is as if every sensory capacity is being bombarded with endless choices. There are so many options available to us that information overload is present everywhere we go whether it is on television, radio, internet pop ups, at the grocery store, the pharmacy (ever shop for cold medicines?), the restaurant (menu size: 2’ x 3’), statistical overkill in sports, and my favorite is the drug commercial with a dozen disclaimers. Ever attempt to get a simple cell phone plan?
Let no niche go unturned, no preference not addressed, no flavor denied. Even churches are giving in to the pressure of choices. “Give me what I want or I will take me elsewhere!” Where is all this leading? It is leading or has lead to meltdown of sensibility, distraction, confusion, frustration, and aggravation. We got to do it faster, cheaper, better than the other guy or lose market share! The advertising tsunami heads our way in every conceivable market vehicle available today.
My sister once took me to the ultimate sandwich shop that had so many different types of sandwiches that the menu ran along two walls near the ceiling (with pictures no less!), and that is not counting the hybrid sandwiches once you reached the counter – hold this or add that or how can you do this. I literally struggled with making a decision as I got closer to the counter. All I wanted was a ham sandwich on wheat with mayo, tomato, and lettuce, no frills, no hassles, no frustrations, no aggravations, just go in, eat, and out of there; or maybe I didn’t want a ham sandwich after all, seeing the alternatives available to me. I didn’t even mention the bread choices.
Choice went to choices unlimited, and I couldn’t decide! They all looked tasty. I didn’t have this issue until the portfolio of sandwiches were conveniently laid out for me causing my neck to be cocked at a 45 degree angle in order to take it all in as I panned across the walls back and forth like a remote camera. There simply wasn’t a picture for my sandwich on the wall. I panicked! I either had to let people go around me or get out of the long queue until I made a final decision. When I reached the counter, I forgot all about what I was going to drink! There were nearly a dozen options…. Who has time for all of this?
Today, being still and quiet are perceived as anti-progressive, stagnating, languishing, vegetating, lacking drive, determination, and ambition, a time waster, fruitless, unproductive, unnecessary, not adding value, without impetus, non-decisional, unable to handle pressure, caught in the doldrums, lukewarm, lackadaisical, and on and on.
Folks, we are drowning in the sea of information overload. My processor isn’t as fast as the other guy or gal. the older I get the slower it operates. I really don’t think anybody can process all that is happening in our world. I love technology, the gadgets, the things that make life a little easier and cushier, but it comes with a price tag, too many things to consider. Whatever happened to keep it simple stupid (kiss method). I worry about this because of the spiritual implications.
Now here comes my working theory; I think this is a Satanic attack which I call cluttering, a lot of unwanted, needless interference intended to keep God off of our radar, our thought life. We are inundated with choices to the point it becomes confusing, frustrating, and aggravating. It is like something is vying for our attention every second through every medium possible: TV, radio, Ipods, electronic gaming, cell phones, texting, MySpacing, Facebooking, Twittering, Blogging (like mine!), and et cetera-ing.
Noise, noise, noise is filling our air space; graphics are controlling our imagination. It is like our thinking is being controlled by what we are exposing ourselves to in our seeing and hearing. All of this is in concert to move us away from what? It is to move us away from being still, studying, reading, and meditating on the things of God. Meditating! How can we do that when the TV must be on, or the radio must be blaring 24/7, or the kids’ ears are plugged, and their fingers are gaming or texting? Ever attempt to have a normal conversation, in person, with a textaholic? Can you not see a battle for the minds going on here? This attack is not just focused on the younger generation; Satan wants to capture every age group by controlling the thought life with clutter, using all means necessary to move us away from learning about God, keeping Him off the radar of our thought life.
We wind up being too busy to read, to study, to meditate, to pray, to serve others, and to go to church because our lives are taken up with clutter, our thought life is redirected toward worldly things. In addition comes the job demands; home demands; family demands; friend demands; spouse demands and the I demands. By the days end, there isn’t much time remaining for spiritual things. It never seems to stop; it won’t unless you and I put a stop to it! If it keeps us away from God, Satan will keep us busy and preoccupied with other things if we empower him to do so. Satan is a schemer and will use anything and everything to prevent us from giving God the glory in our lives.
All of the gizmos have its place; I love gadgets like any other would be geek, but when things predominate our lives to where God is essentially off the radar of our thought life, we are being cluttered and clobbered by the enemy. When was the last time you saw or heard of a young person going to sleep with music jamming in his or her ears or someone having to leave the TV on in order to go to sleep? Do you think they are praying? Think again! We can’t even live life in quiet desperation even if we wanted to do so! Most of us are living life in loud desperation.
Are you listening to this beloved – Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth (Psa 46:10)! This verse is a wonderful source of comfort and strength living in a world of terrorism. We desperately need to hear from God because spiritual darkness is plaguing and engulfing the world. Satan wants our life filled with clutter so we can’t hear from God nor detect Satan’s activities in our lives and that of our loved ones or keep us so busy that we haven’t time for God (cf. Mt 24:37-39, the fate of a busy world without God).
I know the outline is less expositional and more applicational. But these are good things for us to concern ourselves with in the new year:
Being perceptive (identifying God’s markers, His presence, His leading)
Being praise-oriented rather than criticizing (giving the benefit of the doubt)
Being progressive (going forward and growing in the Lord)
Being patient (sitting still and quiet, waiting on God)
Look for God’s presence; praise others; grow in grace; and reduce the clutter by fellowshipping with God in Word and prayer and not forsaking the church! You 've heard it said of Christians that "They are so heavenly minded that they are of no earthly good." But in these latter days it seems the opposite is true of many believers that "Christians are so earthly minded that they are of no heavenly good." If we are obedient to Jesus Christ, we will not be empty-handed (Ruth 3:17). As Jim Gibson said yesterday in his sermon, “We are blessed to be a blessing.” The only way to be blessed of God is to stay out of Moab.
God has something amazing for each one of us who love God (Eph 2:7). Jesus left this world to go to prepare a place for us in His kingdom (Jn 14:2). He is coming back for us (Jn 14:3). If we truly believe this, we will live holy lives in quiet anticipation (1 Jn 3:2-3) and put a stop to the madness, clutter free and making God preeminent in our lives.
Be still and know that I am God (Psa 46:10). Selah.
