3. THE BOOK OF RUTH. Ruth Encounters Boaz.

Naomi found that she was quite destitute upon her arrival at home in Jerusalem, even to the point of having no food for herself or Ruth.

So, she reluctantly sent a most willing Ruth out to glean among the untoward reapers working in the fields of grain.

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Ruth, a modest, somewhat shy and beautiful woman, was easy prey for the rough reapers, who could easily molest her. Nervously, but bravely, she gleaned alone, well behind the other reapers.
But her protective, loving Father in Heaven had guided her to the part of the field belonging to BOAZ.

I love the way He greeted his reapers.

“The LORD BE WITH YOU,” and they would answer him.

“THE LORD BLESS YOU.”

Shouldn’t we greet each other in the same way?
There is power in a blessing from our lips!
He soon inquires after Ruth, and the men explain who she is.

Boaz is a wealthy Kingsman and an honourable man. He takes real steps to protect her, for the whole Harvest!
Once the harvest is over, an obvious attachment is developing between Ruth and Boaz.

Yet Boaz has not done anything about it,
much to Naomi’s frustration!

Every day, she would ask Ruth, “Has anything happened between the two of you yet?

Ruth would sigh and reply. “No-o-o, not yet.” Then she would run from the house to the fields to avoid any more questions from her mother-in-law.

So, dear Naomi devises a modest plan to discover Boaz’s intentions.
The Jewish Law states: “If a man marries a woman, and he dies, then his Brother must give shelter to his Widow.”

Now, Boaz is Ruth’s

deceased husband’s Brother.

BOAZ IS MALON’S BROTHER!
(How cool is this!)

But there is one complication yet to be considered. There is a nearer Kingsman!
We will need to consider him further in the story.

The story so far:

Under the careful instructions of Naomi, Ruth crept softly into Boaz’s resting place. She had dressed beautifully for the occasion, carefully adorning her soft, long, shiny, flowing hair, and wearing her most expensive Perfume.

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She was gorgeous!!
She nestled under the corner of his robe… though quiet as a mouse, her 💓 heart was beating (wildly and loudly!) as she was afraid she would awaken him.

Eventually, she settled down inside her mind and, in her calmness, slipped off to sleep. She thought to herself, half smiling… “Praise God, he had some WINE!”

BUT AT MIDNIGHT BOAZ AWOKE… HE SUDDENLY BECAME AWARE… and said, “Oh, there’s a woman at my feet.”

He also could sense a delightful fragrance permeating the air.

STARTLED! he gasped,

“WHO are YOU?”

He could see her form, as it was still quite dark.

At that moment, Ruth revealed herself and shared that he is her King’s man. She looked into his soft, gentle brown eyes and proposed marriage!

No mucking around here!!

He assured her that he would do all that she desired because she is a woman of…

STRENGTH…

WORTH…

BRAVERY…

AND…

CAPABILITY.

(What a lovely man!)

So consenting to her request, he invited her to stay at his feet the rest of the night and to leave while it was still dark.

THEN HE PLACED HIS GARMENT OVER HER HEAD…
This was a confirmation by law that he would take on the role of a Husband.

So, Boaz gave Ruth six measures of Barley, which was a message to Naomi that he would take the appropriate steps toward a legal Marriage.

I can almost see Ruth… Skipping and laughing, and singing praises to Jehovah as she makes her way back home… into the embraces of an expectant, wise Naomi.

They were so elated and excited that they danced in circles, laughed, sang, and cried tears of joy well into the night.

Boaz, without delay, contacts the nearest of kin in the presence of the Elders and Witnesses at the city gate.

Meanwhile, Naomi gave Ruth some good advice:

“SIT STILL, MY DAUGHTER, DO NOTHING” and SEE HOW THE MATTER WILL TURN OUT!”

Ruth 3:18.

This is good advice for us as well. We must learn not to run ahead of God, Read.

Psalm 37:1-6. It is particularly fitting for us today…

TO SIT STILL!

“BE STILL AND KNOW THAT HE IS GOD!”

Psalm 46:10 is another great verse for you to personalise.

Now back to Boaz… The unnamed Kingsman, an anxious and nervous man, was also too afraid that he would suffer the same fate as Mahlon and Chilion (death) if he married a Moabite Woman.

He exclaimed, “I might die!” So he declined!

Boaz forfeited the property, worth $9,700, which had once belonged to Mahlon.
No problem!

As BOAZ was…VERY, RICH! And truly RUTH was his… MOST “PRIZED POSSESSION.”

Dear friend, Jesus is your King and Redeemer. He will restore to you all that was broken, lost, stolen, wasted and unwanted.

ALL HE ASKS FOR IS YOUR TOTAL OBEDIENCE!!

Are you willing to be obedient to Him this day?

Amen.