(Reflections and notes on Ruth 3. To find out more about the series of Ruth Reflections, read this.)
God loves it when a plan comes together.
Everyone celebrates the goal, but sometimes what leads to the goal can be just as exciting. Indeed such is the interest in what leads to the goal that there is now a statistic to record the person who set up the goal. He is said to have made an assist.
Up to this point in the story of Ruth, all that has taken place has been about Naomi and Ruth experiencing great loss and then looking to pick up whatever they could in this different place. For Ruth, it is literally a new place with new people and new experiences. For Naomi, it is a new place in terms of seeming desolation and destitution bereft of children and the continuing of anything. They have found a degree of an upturn in fortunes with Ruth settling well with the fields of Boaz who has shown great kindness to her because of the great kindness she has shown to her mother-in-law. To this point, the key characters have been shifted into place by the unseen hand of God’s providence. From here on, though, the characters see the role they can play in reaching a goal that had beforehand not appeared likely. In this chapter, they’re about to take part in providing the assist
(vs 1-6) Naomi’s set-up
One day Naomi said to Ruth, “My daughter, it’s time that I found a permanent home for you, so that you will be provided for.”
Ruth 3:1 (NLT)
This is not the Naomi we recognise at the end of the first chapter. This Naomi barely recognised Ruth when she asked to be called Mara because as far as she was concerned she was so bitter she had nothing. This is not Mara at all. This is a woman with a plan. A plan born out of necessity and responsibility but a plan nevertheless. A plan to look out for the woman who had devoted her life to her.
This plan is weird in the culture of a lot of the Western world in the 21st Century. Do you think an older woman would take on the responsibility of ensuring a younger woman is secured in a relationship by setting her up with a man much older than her? Some in the modern age would be horrified at such an idea. That young woman should just go out and find her man and set up her own life on her terms. Yes, it makes me chuckle at the thought of such a cultural concept being practised today. Yet even as we go and account for how times were different then and the various different customs, there is an underlying relational dynamic to be appreciated. Here is Naomi taking her responsibilities to look after her daughter-in-law seriously. She acknowledges the devotion and great loyalty shown by this young woman and it is, therefore, understandable that she has her best interests in mind. That is to say there is a great bond between the older and younger, between the one who submits and the one submitted to. That level of trust, respect, loyalty and consideration for welfare development would be a priceless quality in all the world today, not just the ‘enlightened’ and ‘progressive’ types.
Naomi’s instructions in this setup are fascinating. It says something about what Ruth was still going through, that Naomi tells her to fix up for the occasion. It also says much of how aware Naomi is about being prepared for a proposal that she encourages her daughter-in-law to look good and smell good for the encounter. Leave nothing to chance where the presentation of the proposal is concerned. Put the best possible foot forward. Again, to the admiration of Ruth’s continued devotion to her mother-in-law, she follows the instructions to the letter.
(vs 7-9) Ruth’s proposal
“I am your servant Ruth,” she replied. “Spread the corner of your covering over me, for you are my family redeemer.”
Ruth 3:9
These words are seismic. We find out what they mean in the context of relations between Boaz and Ruth from what he will go on to say. Measure these words carefully though. These are words that entreat and express surrender. It is a request for covering that is far more than immediately physical. It is an act of submission that is actually enriching for all parties concerned. Boaz is being offered the opportunity to take on a woman of great substance, integrity and faithfulness.
It is seismic because of the invitation for two figures of such amazing character to be united and for a redeemer to take on his potential responsibility with one so honourable and virtuous. This union as well would go on to explain a lot about the many virtues of those that would highlight their lineage – whether David or an even greater King down the line of history.
(vs 10-15) Boaz’s set-up
This guy does not mess around. He’s not going to wait for it. He is taking decisive action about it as soon as morning comes. The big thing about his response to the proposal, though is how it’s so full of generosity and integrity. He recognises what he has been offered, but he will do things the right way about it. For this virtuous woman to be redeemed, the right procedures have to be followed, but Boaz is in no doubt that once the protocol has been followed, if he has the chance to do it, he will not hesitate. What a Redeemer – full of praise, full of kindness, full of honour, full of integrity and in case Ruth forgot, he’s full of generosity as confirmed with the stash that Ruth gets to take home to her mother-in-law.
Boaz said to her, “Bring your cloak and spread it out.” He measured six scoops of barley into the cloak and placed it on her back.
Ruth 3:15 (NLT)
He pours out only what he’s full of from within and that in itself is a blessing to those around him even the mother-in-law of this virtuous woman. Just as Naomi said, Boaz knew exactly what to do. Naomi had a plan to look after Ruth. Boaz had a plan to look after Ruth. They had a plan in place and Boaz would be diligent to carry it out.
You see the qualities of Boaz on display and these should be familiar to all those who have the privilege of following Jesus. He did that which was right in the sight of His Father to be the rightful Redeemer of those who turn to Him and accept His generous invitation.
(vs 16-18) Naomi’s Assurance
The episode began on a reflection on how things were different for Naomi now. If she was different at the start of the episode, you can imagine her condition when she heard the report from Ruth.
“Just be patient, my daughter, until we hear what happens. The man won’t rest until he has settled things today.”
Ruth 3:18 (NLT)
What are these words? There is certainty, there is assurance,there is confidence. Naomi started with the setup – she put in play what was about to happen, but the goal had not yet been scored. She has played her part, though, she has co-operated with the opportunities presented to her.
Who are these words coming from? Is this the same woman who wanted to be known as bitter? What is it about the providence of God that can get people to turn their eyes from what they’ve lost to see what they’re about to gain? There may be hope in this for some of us who think that we have lost everything. There might be a word of consolation for someone who has appeared to only see setback and hardship. God can turn the situation around in His way that requires from us the eyes to see opportunity as He presents it. Even if the opportunity is to enrich the welfare of someone else, it is not for us to scorn that. It is for us to turn our mourning into gladness again by turning to the great Redeemer and understand His will to give us a reason to sing and dance in the way He makes for us.
Great goals are worth celebrating and the role we can play in the assist can also be something to appreciate as we play our part in God’s plan coming together.
Questions from Ruth 3
- What does this episode tell you about the character of God?
- What do you learn from Ruth’s actions in this episode?
- What do you learn from Boaz’s actions in this episode?
- Following Jesus requires us to look to Him to be the Lord of our lives by redeeming us from slavery to sin – what challenges come with that?
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 