Ruth 3 TAKING A RISK It is not uncommon for Christians to think only God can solve our problems and God answers our prayers without human help. We know we live by faith so we may think we are relieved of responsibility and do not need to do anything more because after all, God is in control. We pray about a matter and then sit back and wait for God to do something about our need. The thinking behind that attitude is all we need to do is to pray and trust God. But God isn't sitting by the door waiting for us to call. He is busy working out His own plans and is moving people and events according to His purpose. Actually, we are the ones sitting by the phone waiting for Him to call us. We receive our orders from Him to instruct us and move us to service for Him. It is our responsibility to wait for His movements and then apply our gifts and talents to the tasks He gives us. Both Naomi and Ruth are good examples of Integrity. Naomi felt responsible to see Ruth had hope in the future. A widow in that day had to rely on her family for support and protection. Naomi knew Boaz as a man of character and as he was a kinsman, she no doubt felt she would be supplied with the necessities of life. But a foreigner who was widowed like Ruth, really had no one on which to turn. Her caring character led her to encourage Ruth to act according to the culture of the Israelites. There will be those who come into our lives from time to time who have legitimate needs which we can meet. Wants and needs are two different things.
As stewards of that which God has given us, it is our responsibility to use this stewardship with wisdom and grace. We will have to make decisions when people come and ask for our assistance as to whether the request is honest and whether we are able to do anything to help them. That is a risk we have to take. Naomi saw God's hand behind that which was happening with Boaz and Ruth and used her common sense, maturity and ingenuity in faith to seize the opportunity that arose. No longer was she a bitter old woman. No longer is she passive like a person whose spirit is broken. Now with excitement and authority she steps up to the occasion and takes advantage of what she knew was a God-given opportunity. She had food and a relative who cared what happened to the two widows. She had hope in the future because she knew Boaz had stature in the community and was taking the kinsman-redeemer part.
Ruth felt responsible to Naomi to provide for her needs and give her assurance that she wouldn’t go hungry even though she had no family to care for her. Integrity moves us to not wait for others to do what we are responsible to do for ourselves. When the time comes we are at the end of our resources, and want to turn to someone else for help, the first thing to be done is to take the matter to the Lord in specific terms and wait for His will to be revealed to us. It may seem to us that we are called upon to take unnecessary risks simply because older people have told us to. However, when we have older friends and family in whom we trust, even though an action may seem risky to our reputation or our opinion, their experience and knowledge can be of great value when we are taking actions that involve risks. God has a pattern and plan for the well- being of His people and we do well to follow that. Others can help us in the carrying out of those plans. Ruth could legitimately approach Boaz as a family member to whom he had an obligation.
The kinsman-redeemer was a guardian for his family and was responsible to meet the needs of family ties by either marrying the widow or fulfilling the laws for caring for that widow. In that day integrity was demonstrated when one met the requirements of a kinsman-redeemer and was publicly identified as the responsible person. Boaz was such a person. His integrity was demonstrated toward those who worked for him. There was a good relationship between him as the employer and his employees. There was also a respect for Naomi and Ruth in his dealings with them. Even though it seemed like he kept his distance so there would be no compromising of reputation on the part of any of those involved, he knew what was happening and was willing to take the risk of going public with his intentions for the care of Naomi and Ruth. Our Kinsman-Redeemer is the Lord Jesus Christ, who though He was God, came to earth to redeem us from sin and purchase us to be His possession. This in turn guarantees our eternal inheritance.
There is no reason to believe Naomi was suggesting that Ruth behave seductively by going to the threshing floor outside of the town where Boaz was sleeping to prevent the theft of grain and to wait for his turn to thresh his barley. In a secluded place under the cover of darkness the opportunity was there to do what was needed to secure the future. Using faithful ingenuity, she acted on the opportunity without knowing whether she would be accepted or rejected. We do not always know what God is going to do, but we know He can do what we cannot do. She was simply telling Ruth to act according to the custom and the law of Israel. It was common for a servant to sleep at the feet of his master. Ruth was probably unfamiliar with that particular practice of the Jews but she took the risk of acting in faith on what she was told by her mother in law. Ruth took the place of a lowly servant by taking that position which was acceptable in those days. This was a family business in which she was letting Boaz know he could be her kinsman-redeemer by finding someone else for her or marrying her himself. There was nothing romantic about this, although there was later. It is inappropriate on the part of a believer to give appearance of evil in our relational contacts with others. Purity is a choice we make and that is not to be compromised. That often is a person's most attractive characteristic that leads to a permanent relationship. It is a wise person who guards as fine treasure that purity which endears them to God and to godly people. Sensible preparation was needed and Naomi knew Ruth needed to "wash...perfume herself...and then dress up" out of respect both for Ruth herself, and for Boaz.
Ruth followed Naomi’s advice because she knew her to be kind, trustworthy and a person of moral integrity. It is wise for us to take the advice of those who are older and wiser. The experience and knowledge of such a person can be invaluable to us. It doesn’t pay to ignore the words of one who has already been over the road of life and maintained their integrity. Respectability comes at the price of saying "No" to what we know is wrong and "Yes" to that which is right. There is a certain dignity to be maintained that is not always understood by those who want to be everyone's friend. To laugh at unclean jokes, to accommodate to the wishes of those who live carelessly and laugh at sexual innuendo is to lose your respectability. One who lives by faith, will realize there are times when maintaining dignity and respectability have costs, we must be willing to pay. Good impressions are often created by simply preparing to please another person. Ruth put her "best foot forward," as a testimony to whom she was in character and looks.
Boaz’s answer to Ruth indicates that he had already been considering marrying her but there were marital rules to follow. He had a reputation for keeping his word and not quitting until a task was completed. This kind of reliable person stands out in any culture or any age. We will be called upon to take risks in our decision-making times when we are wise to ask ourselves some questions. Am I regarded as one who does what he says he will do? Do I keep my word and follow through a task or assignment to the end? Am I high on anyone’s list as a person of integrity? It doesn’t happen overnight but takes time and consistency. We can learn for ourselves practical lessons from Ruth's commitment to purity and Boaz's commitment to maintain his dignity. It is not always wise to push things but we should be willing to wait for an opportune time. When one is at ease and contented, make sure you do the right thing, with the right person, at the right time. Privacy protects from embarrassment when the outcome is not known because we do not know how each one is going to react. Creativity, opportunity, preparation, persistence, common sense and compassion go well together to bring the right outcome of a matter. Ruth was willing to do what the older, wiser woman said even though she was likely uncomfortable doing it. Two people being alone in a field is one thing. Two people alone in the dark at night is another. The reputation of both Boaz and Ruth was at stake. Ruth was quiet, resolute and faithful.