Boaz and Ruth
Devotions on Ruth 3:1-18
Monday–Boaz and Ruth
“I need to seek some security for you, so that It may be well with you” (Ruth 3:1).
It would be appropriate in the opening scene in chapter three to have the song, “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” from the play “Fiddler on the Roof,” playing in the background. An unseen choir softly singing the lyrics, “Matchmaker, matchmaker Make me a match, Find me a find, catch me a catch ….” Naomi—loving mother-in-law that she was—was playing matchmaker for Ruth. There is no mention that her activity was in response to prayer or motivated by some divine guidance. No, indeed. Naomi saw the budding relationship between Boaz and Naomi and determined that Ruth needed to take advantage of it.
Naomi may not have encountered God in the way Noah, Abraham or Moses had. There is the understanding by the story teller, however, that God’s Spirit is moving behind the scenes. What Naomi did was pleasing in God’s sight.
We do not pray about every decision that we make or action that we take. As followers of Jesus, though, we trust that God’s Spirit is moving behind the scenes of our lives. The Spirit nudges us a little, closes doors of possibilities and opens windows of opportunities. Those times, when we discern incorrectly, make wrong decisions or revert back to being our self-centered selves, we give thanks that there such items as confession, repentance, forgiveness and new beginnings.
Guide us, Lord, and empower us to obediently follow you and do your bidding. Amen.
Tuesday–Boaz and Ruth
“Now wash and anoint yourself, and put on your best clothes and go down to the threshing floor” (Ruth 3:3).
Kim was scheduled to make a presentation to the company’s directors and vice presidents that morning. She not only studied the contents of her presentation until she had mastered them, she also arranged the room and the audio/visual equipment so that they would add to her presentation. After a few weeks of teaching his high school social study classes, Juan began to arrange the chairs and the seating chart so that he had greater control of the classes. Troublemakers were moved to the front and separated, while the students who excelled were moved toward the back and spread through the classroom in order to promote dialogue.
Just like Kim, Juan, Naomi and Ruth made plans, we want things to go well, too. It’s the responsible thing to do. In the end, though—especially when our best laid plans fall apart—we trust that God is moving, using our words and actions to accomplish God’s purpose.
Lord, move in ways beyond our planning and our imaginations. Amen.
Wednesday–Boaz and Ruth
“I am Ruth, your servant, spread your cloak over your servant for you are next of kin” (Ruth 3:9).
The sexual content of this portion of the story of Ruth and Boaz cannot be denied (though it has been for centuries by priggish readers). Rather than be offended by Ruth’s behavior, or fall into the trap of debating its appropriateness, let us confess both the intimacy and the vulnerability of this encounter.
Ruth comes to Boaz in the middle of the night. The consequences of her actions, if caught, would have been significant, because women were not allowed on the threshing room floor. When Ruth comes to Boaz, she identifies who she is and also that she is Boaz’s servant. Ruth does not come to Boaz as an equal, but rather a person in need. She also asks Boaz to spread his cloak over them—to take responsibility for her and protect her.
Like Boaz, we are surrounded by people in need. They present their need to us and ask us to take personal responsibility to meet their need. We can ignore their need or refuse to help them, or we can spread our cloak over them and act to meet their need.
Lord, make us aware of the needs around us, and guide us in how we can meet those needs. Amen.
Thursday–Boaz and Ruth
“This last instance of your loyalty is better than the first, you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich” (Ruth 3:10).
It is easy to become so focused on Ruth’s situation and need that we fail to realize that Boaz has needs, also. He may be a prosperous farmer and a prominent member of the community but he still wrestles with life’s issues—like we all do. His age and his position have separated him from people. Besides wondering if any woman would find him sexually attractive, he also wonders if he will ever be needed—a valuable part of someone’s life—again.
Serving others, as followers of Jesus, is a two way street. Certainly we use our talents and abilities to help others and we are blessed by the opportunity to do so. In doing so, though, we build relationships. In those relationships, the people we seek to serve share themselves with us and become a blessing to us. A life of giving and sharing is so much more abundant than being a lonely, rich, old farmer in a small town in Judah.
Move, Lord, so that we may be the blessings you intend us to be for others and that we may be blessed in our service. Amen.
Friday–Boaz and Ruth
“For all the assembly of my people know that you are a worthy woman” (Ruth 3:11).
People notice. Ruth was a nothing in Judean society. She was a woman, a widow and an alien. Still people watched Ruth and she gained a reputation of being a worthy woman (the same word used to describe Boaz as a prosperous farmer).
We might think that we are “flying under everyone’s radar screen,” but we are not. People take note of what we say and do. We all have reputations. As followers of Jesus, we hope that our reputations back up our claims to faith and give glory to God. People are watching us. While they watch, may they see Jesus in our lives.
Lord, so move in our in our lives that our claims of faith are backed up by our words and actions. Amen.
Saturday–Boaz and Ruth
“He measured out six measures of barley and put it on her back” (Ruth 3:15).
Generosity did not come easy for Jamal. His parents had taught him to be frugal. He was to be careful with his money and save for a rainy day. At first, Jamal ignored what the pastor said in his stewardship sermons. It took a few years before Jamal was willing to take a small step and pledge to give one percent of his income. That one step, however, started Jamal down the path of generosity. When the invitation was given to respond and help victims of a hurricane, Jamal found himself responding with a gift. A few weeks later Jamal donated several cases of water to help the homeless through the long, hot summer. Around Christmas time, Jamal, who had always walked past the red buckets and bell ringers, found himself dropping loose change and pocket money whenever he passed one.
Boaz had started along the path of generosity when he directed his workers to help Ruth in her gleaning. His generosity increased until he gave Ruth six measures of barley. When we begin to give, we discover the joy of giving. Our joy produces an increased generosity in our lives. We discover, over and over again, that true happiness does not come in the accumulation of things, but rather in sharing the blessings that we have received.
Move in our lives, Lord, so that we discover the true joy of giving and live full, generous lives. Amen.
Sunday–Boaz and Ruth
“Wait my daughter until you know how the matter turns out” (Ruth 3:23).
Naomi’s matchmaking efforts appeared to be paying off. Boaz was interested in Ruth and in fulfilling his responsibilities as a next of kin. Still, not everything was in place. It was necessary for Ruth to wait.
Waiting is a very important part of the life of faith. We are people, though, who do not like to wait. We want things to happen NOW! God is not impressed with our impatient prayers. God’s purpose is attained in God’s own time. Until that time is right, we are told to wait—patiently.
Lord, grant us the patience that we need to be your faithful and obedient children. Amen.