Listening, Obeying, Waiting

The defining moment. Boaz has been gracious and kind to Ruth, because 1- he was a man of worth and integrity, 2- he knew that Naomi's husband and sons were his kinsman, 3- he knew the levitical law. Naomi too, knew levitical law, which is why she sent Ruth to Boaz's field, and why she encouraged Ruth with the next step. Ruth was a faithful and obedient daughter in law, and so once again she listened to her mother in law, and did as she told her to do.


Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you?  Now is not Boaz our kinsman, with whose maids you were? Behold, he winnows barley at the threshing floor tonight.  Wash yourself therefore, and anoint yourself and put on your best clothes, and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.  It shall be when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies, and you shall go and uncover his feet and lie down; then he will tell you what you shall do.”  She said to her, “All that you say I will do.”


This was not some Moab pagan action on Ruth's part as some would say. By going to lay at Boaz's feet was her way of saying, 'I know that you know, that I know you are my kinsman and therefore, by levitical law, it is your responsibility to marry me, and take care of me, so, I am here to let you know that  my calendar is open for a wedding.'


Boaz wakes with a start. Who wouldn't? In his startled state he asks who she is. I love her response. 'I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are my redeemer.' What a great proposal! The downside, till the next chapter, is that Boaz tells Ruth that there is a kinsman closer than he, who has the right and responsibility first. Can you just imagine how Ruth's heart would have sunk? "Why didn't Naomi tell me? Why did she let me get my hopes of for Boaz?" He tells her,


 “May you be blessed of the LORD, my daughter. You have shown your last kindness to be better than the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich.  Now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence.  Now it is true I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I.  Remain this night, and when morning comes, if he will redeem you, good; let him redeem you. But if he does not wish to redeem you, then I will redeem you, as the LORD lives. Lie down until morning.”


Ruth has spent her new life listening, being obedient and waiting. How often I feel that is what I have been doing. Listening to my Redeemer, as I ask for wisdom and direction, doing my best to be faithful and obedient, and waiting. I feel I have been waiting a lot. Waiting is hard. It requires persistence and patience. Often I have felt the Lord's leading in something, things are positive and clear, I take that step of faith, and I end up waiting again. Of course than comes the second guessing, the wondering what I am doing wrong, longing for that one to come along side and give reason and balance, wishing the Lord used email. Yesterday was one of those days of hopes built, only to get the opportunity to wait once again. I know the Lord has 'plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give [me] a future and a hope' (Jeremiah 29.11), its just I get weary, fretful, panicked, though I don't want to be. So, I tread forward, hand on the plow, doing my best to keep the rows straight and even, trusting, believing, hoping.