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Have you ever seen the meme that says, "Ever have one of those days when you're carrying a stick and everyone looks like a pinata??"?? That pretty much describes my week. I try to balance being kind with setting boundaries, but some people are simply incapable of following directions. And it's not just about finding a peaceful coexistence with Rob, but there's another neighbor that's been on my very last nerve lately. One of my only sources of peace lately has been the old friend that's come back around. More about that another time. Prayers appreciated on all fronts...
When my oldest was turning 2, one of her birthday presents was a Mega Blocks Princess Castle. I would help her build it, and then play with her. The first time we played with it and went to put it away, I discovered a definitive problem... I couldn't put it back in the box the way it had come!! The pieces simply wouldn't fit any way I tried. I was resigned to leave it a bit messy, cover it, and call it good. At least the effort had been made. God is like this in both directions, now that I'm typing these thoughts out... My original thought was that we can't "box God into our ideas." He'll just burst out of it and do HIs own thing anyway. And that's the thought that Pastor Matt brought to this morning's message in Ruth. But at the same time, the bigger picture of God's hand on our lives is one of restoration. If our lives were the box for the Princess Castle, He would be able to fit the pieces perfectly. Now, I'll grant you, given enough time, any one of us could do the same when it comes to the plastic toys, but the fact is, God, as the Manufacturer*, is the only One who can arrange the pieces of our lives in perfect order.
Ruth 3
New International Version
Ruth and Boaz at the Threshing Floor 3 One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home[a] for you, where you will be well provided for. 2 Now Boaz, with whose women you have worked, is a relative of ours. Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. 3 Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do.” 5 “I will do whatever you say,” Ruth answered. 6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do. 7 When Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he went over to lie down at the far end of the grain pile. Ruth approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down. 8 In the middle of the night something startled the man; he turned—and there was a woman lying at his feet! 9 “Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer[b] of our family.” 10 “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. 11 And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character. 12 Although it is true that I am a guardian-redeemer of our family, there is another who is more closely related than I. 13 Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to do his duty as your guardian-redeemer, good; let him redeem you. But if he is not willing, as surely as the Lord lives I will do it. Lie here until morning.” 14 So she lay at his feet until morning, but got up before anyone could be recognized; and he said, “No one must know that a woman came to the threshing floor.” 15 He also said, “Bring me the shawl you are wearing and hold it out.” When she did so, he poured into it six measures of barley and placed the bundle on her. Then he[c] went back to town.
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As we have mentioned before, the story of Ruth doesn't contain the "glitz and glamour" of some of the other Bible Stories. It is one of the more "quiet" stories in terms of a lack of fire or talking donkeys*. But what it shows us is His revelation of steadfast, loyal love.
So now that we've seen Ruth and Boaz meet in the field last week, let's see what's next...
In verses 1-4, we have Naomi instructing Ruth on how next to approach Boaz for help. Keep in mind that Ruth is not just a young widow, but a foreigner whose people are enemies of Israel. It was dangerous enough for her even to have gone out to the fields in the first place. And now Naomi is telling her to basically prepare for a date with this man and go into his barn at night!! Talk about risky!! Now Boaz could have reacted to this in a couple of different ways. First, he might have simply sent her away, putting her at risk from the other men. Secondly, he might have taken advantage of her in the dark. But he did neither of these things.
Verses 7-10 show him settling down and then discovering Ruth at his feet. A conversation ensues which ensures Ruth's immediate safety and promise of later help if needed. In the meantime, he sends her home early enough not to be discovered; and with a good portion of grain and goes into town. He has not only been respectful in the night, but has protected her reputation in the morning. Taking a deeper look into the story, we will see God's handiwork in even a greater way...
As we should well know by now, God's good blessings come in unexpected ways to fill our emptiness. This story is abundant in this truth in more ways than you may first imagine. There are 3 major attributes of God brought to light here --
Promise -- The language and activity in Naomi's instructions to Ruth are that of Jewish Marriage rites. Beyond the bathing, the perfume, and the outfit, the entire process spoke to this. Lying down at his feet was a sign of humility to begin with. The ball was then in his court to respond. Naomi's aim, however was to get Ruth re-married to another Jewish man so that she could have her name written in the books with the landowners, and therefore gain a secure position. Not just in society, but in Israel, as a family member of God.
Protection -- In the story of Ruth, we not only are shown what God does, but how He does it. By covering her with a corner of the blanket, Boaz was not only offering her protection from the night air, but inviting her into his personal protection. Even though Psalm 91 had not been written at that time, it provides a beautiful picture of God's protection as being under wings.
Provision -- Boaz sends her home in the morning with a measure of grain. He is ensuring that she and Naomi won't go hungry until a decision is made concerning the source of their future life and sustenance. Beyond this, we see God's long term provision for Salvation. Once again the reminder here that Ruth was a Moabite. In Israel in that day, it was simply unheard of for a non-Jewish woman to be included in the family of a Jew. And certainly not one whose people were the Enemy!! Add to that the fact that Boaz's mother was Rahab*... What!!?? Talk about God's blessing coming in unexpected ways!! From 2 foreign women adopted into Israel based on their faithful responses to God's people, we later get our Savior!!
This just goes to prove what I said above. We simply cannot put God in a box based on our narrow-minded expectations. He will break out every single time and bless us from a totally unexpected direction*. And a brief look at Jesus' life shows us the same "mind-blowing" pattern --
The Centurion's Servant* -- Jesus said that He had not seen such strong faith from anyone else in Israel. Just imagine if the Pharissees or Saducees had heard Him say that!! LOL
Samaritan Woman at the Well -- Again, with the foreign enemy women...
Eating with "Sinners" -- Zaccheaus, prostitutes, tax-collectors... Jesus made a point of befriending those most marginalized in His time. He invited the "outsiders" and called out the "insiders" for their hypocrisy. (We would have gotten on well, I think) :)
Redemption by humility -- Where Israel was expecting violence and political coup; Jesus brought love to the point of death. Out of death, He brought life. Out of emptiness, abundance. He overcame sin and death not only in us, but through us as we are commanded to share His Gospel* to others. We may feel unworthy; but it's exactly that quality that qualifies us for God's love and redemption. He desires to connect with us in order to bring freedom, joy, peace, and love.
By showing us the way, He makes the way to Salvation for others. The dichotomy of God's love for us as humans is best shown through the Beatitudes in Matt. 5. It is exactly the humility, brokenness, and emptiness of our lives that drives His lovingkindness to invite us into HIs peace. -- God Bless!!
Footnotes --
God as "Manufacturer" -- this idea stems from the one brought up a week or 2 ago from CS Lewis' "Mere Christianity".
Talking donkeys -- See Numbers 22:21-39 for full story. It's one of my personal favorites!
Boaz's mother was Rahab -- See Joshua 2 for full story here.
Blessings from unexpected directions -- my old friend, Mike, and I have been talking lately after he finally responded to my FB request about a year ago!! This has brought peace and joy to my life from a direction I was unsure even still existed. I haven't seen him in person in nearly 30 yrs. Pray for his victory over COPD and homelessness.
References for listed stories -- Centurion -- Matt. 8:5-13 Samaritan Woman --Jhn. 4 Zacchaeus -- Luke 19:1-10
His Gospel -- I've been reading The Shack Revisited and in it the author brings out an astounding truth. The Gospel isn't about there being a "missing Savior" we can bring into our lives; but about The Triune God desiring to invite us into HIS LIFE!!
Music -- no rights... y'know...
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