This pic is of my grandson who achieved the rare honor of being teacher of the day!

Ruth 3, part 3

Boaz was thrilled that Ruth came forward and made it known that she desired to marry Boaz and be redeemed. Even though Ruth was a Moabite, a despised people to Israel, Boaz knew that her faith in God was true and her life and character were a testimony of a truly redeemed soul. As such, he was honored to live out the role of a physical redeemer of Ruth and honoring his God who was already her spiritual redeemer. But there was a catch….

The close relative

Boaz said to Ruth, “Now it is true I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I… 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.” There was a man in the village who was a closer relative than Boaz to Elimelech, Ruth’s deceased father in law. Boaz must first present the other closer kinsman with the option to marry Ruth before he could proceed. Boaz was determined to do the right thing and leave the results up to God. So, Ruth departed Boaz, went home and told her mother-in-law everything that had happened.

Sit and wonder

Ruth was anxious I’m sure and understandably so. Was she to marry a close relative she had not met, or would she marry the kind and gentle Boaz? To sit and wonder about these two scenarios was to deal with questions of uncertainty and fear of certain outcomes. Ever been there? Our tendency is to act and influence the outcome. Your mind searches for options. What can I do? Who should I talk to? Boaz is a busy man; how long will I have to wait and sit here in uncertainty? Naomi comforted Ruth by saying, “Wait my daughter, until you know how the matter turns out; for the man will not rest until he has settled it today.”

Wait and rest in Him

Wait. Wait. Wait. Who likes to wait and leave one’s future up to the actions of someone else? If I don’t wait and act, will my action to influence the situation improve the outcome or spoil it? To wait or not wait? Sometimes we just want to read the verse that tells us to “wait on the Lord”. Lord, may we be patient to wait when we need to wait. May we be reminded that our lives are not haphazard or uncertain. Nothing, I mean nothing happens outside of Your divine plan for our lives and the lives of our loved one. May we wait and rest in You when you call us to wait. Sometime our greatest test of faith is to do nothing. Give us the wisdom to know when to act and when to wait. Amen!