Day 4: "God's Hand in Our Risks" (Ruth 3:1-18)

As I read the passage for today's study, I wondered where in the world Pastor Driscoll would go with this! I was not disappointed. :) I am sure that many people finish reading the third chapter of Ruth with puzzled thoughts. I know I did! Naomi gave Ruth some...well....questionable advice. Ruth had been following the will of God. Yet, obeying Naomi's advice to dress up, wait until Boaz had drunk some wine, and then lay at his feet in bed seemed somehow out of whack. However, that is only our view. God, in is His amazing faithfulness and mystery, used Naomi's advice and Ruth's obedience to accomplish His will. Although Ruth could have been "shallow" and jeopardized her purity along with Boaz's, she chose not to. Even in all the strangeness and riskiness of what took place, Boaz and Ruth never sinned during it. In fact, they instead beamed amazing character and integrity! These are some of the points in the sermon that really hit home for me:

• Boaz, who had every worldly right to be prideful, was 100% humble. "The LORD bless you, my daughter," he replied. "This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor." ~Ruth 3:10~ Instead of feeling that poor, widowed Ruth was unworthy of Him, Boaz felt unworthy of her! He was touched that of all the young, good-looking men, she chose him.
• In giving her advice (though strange, it was given in faith! Faith in God, Boaz, and Ruth...) Naomi was being a "Titus 2 Woman."
• When Boaz first prayed for Ruth, he prayed that God would take her under His wing. God used Boaz to do this! Boaz was able to provide earthly "wings" for Ruth. "He said, "Who are you?" And she answered, "I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer." ~Ruth 3:9 (ESV)
• Although the act of a man covering a woman with his blanket may seem sexual to us, in those days it was the equivalent of getting on one knee with a ring and popping the question! With her request to be covered with Boaz's blanket, Ruth was expressing her desire to marry him. Time was running out because barley harvest was soon to be finished. After that, Ruth would be separated from Boaz. A DTR (define the relationship) chat was definitely a must! :) If Ruth had a loving father, it would have been his job to conduct this. However, she didn't and things had to be handled differently.
• What Ruth did was risky, but not necessarily foolish. We are called to take risks, but not to be foolish.
• "Don't chase a guy--just get in his way." ~Mark Driscoll~ This quote made me smile! :) We need to not be running after men, but we also shouldn't hide from them. As God gives opportunities, it is ok for us women to gently put ourselves in the path of a potential husband. With God leading, there is nothing to fear. :)