Wednesday – History

Reading – Ruth 3-4

Highlight Verse:

““Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she replied. “Spread the corner of your covering over me, for you are my family redeemer.””
‭‭Ruth‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I have so many questions!

Why did Boaz sleep in the barn? How would Naomi know he would? Why didn’t Boaz pursue Ruth earlier?

I think it’s safe to say that it was tradition for farmers to sleep at the threshing floor at harvest time since Naomi knew he would be there.

In a time when everyone in Israel did as they pleased, Boaz stands out as a man of integrity.

Because of this, he would have assumed that Ruth would be claimed by the closer kinsman redeemer. Despite Ruth’s forwardness, he maintains his integrity by waiting to claim her until he gets the okay from that other man.

The real story here is Ruth.

With Naomi’s guidance, she sees the solution to their problems and boldly steps up and seeks that solution by asking Boaz to marry her (That’s what asking him to cover her meant in that culture).

Her boldness is balanced with humility that seeks what is right, not just what is best for her.

Because of her boldness her and Naomi’s poverty is ended.

Because of her boldness, she has a great grandson named David who would rule Israel with a heart after God.

Because of her boldness, we have a Messiah descended from her.

We would do well to imitate her balance of boldness and humility.

Have you had a time when you had to be bold and humble at the same time? Tell us about it.
Do you lean to boldness or humility or are you able to balance the two?