Day 8 – Ruth 3:10-18
Opening Prayer: Father, may I be as bold as Ruth when it comes to prayer and receive Your blessing as Your precious, beloved daughter.
Read: Ruth 3:10-18
In your 4R journal:
- Record: After reading this short story, what verse stood out to you?
- Respond: Write a short prayer of praise in response to what God has shown you.
As startled as Boaz must have been to find a woman at his feet, he didn’t seem surprised by Ruth’s proposal. In fact, Boaz did his homework and already knew that he wasn’t the closest relative. Talk about a cliffhanger! Can you imagine how Ruth felt when she heard this?
Uh…What? That was not part of the plan!
Reflection:
- Share about a time in your life when things took a crazy, unexpected turn.
- How did God provide?
Boaz had no intention of letting the other guy redeem Ruth. And, before she left early that morning, Boaz filled Ruth’s cloak with another pile of food so she wouldn’t return to her mother-in-law “empty handed” (Ruth 3:17).
Even though this took place several thousand years ago, the mother/daughter relationship was much the same as it is today. I can imagine them sitting down and holding each other’s hands as they shared with excitement what may possibly lay ahead. Either way they would be taken care of. God had not forgotten them. All that was left for them was to wait and see how God would provide. Then, Naomi encourages Ruth by saying, “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). Waiting. Sometimes that is the hardest thing to do because this is where faith is exercised.
Reflection:
- When has God asked you to be patient?
- What was the result?
My Verse: Ruth 3:10, “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” (3:10 NASB).
My Response: Dear Father, Your ways are perfect. Keep my heart pure and focused on You, especially when I am unsure of the future.
Boaz uses the same term of endearment as Naomi when he calls Ruth “my daughter.” Why was this a kindness? In that culture Ruth had nothing to offer but her beauty and devotion. No money, family heritage, etc. In fact, she refers to herself as a servant. Boaz was moved by the fact that someone so young and beautiful would want to marry him but he was also gracious. According to the culture she was not worthy of Boaz but he made her feel wanted and loved.
May I be so bold and so kind as to bless others with my actions and words as Ruth did when she approached Boaz with humility and love.
“May the Lord reward your work and may your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.” (Ruth 2:12 NASB)
The next step:
When the Spirit leads, in the comment section below, chose a response to share:
- Share about a time in your life when things took a crazy, unexpected turn.
- How did God provide?
- When has God asked you to be patient?
- What was the result?
Or
- Share your 4R Response
