Proverbs 2:1-12

ye shall eat the good of the land…”

PROVIDENCE, OBEDIENCE AND PROTECTION (1)

When we are committed to doing what is right, and do it to the best of our abilities, God guides our steps and blesses us as we obediently follow His guidance and do His will. The picture presented by the Book of Ruth in this section shows us how God’s providence works for, and with, the obedient.

Boaz’s instructions to Ruth taken in light of the times (being the period of the Judges where every man did that which was right in his own eyes) and in light of the depravity of man, show that gleaning probably posed dangers to poor and unprotected ladies. How much more dangerous then to Ruth who was a foreigner and who was new to the land, having just come back from Moab with Naomi? Life has many hidden dangers and snares that even with good intentions, commitment and diligence, one can still land oneself in trouble and danger! Obedience and associations become key to avoiding many such snares. The Bible is clear that “evil communications corrupt good manners” (1 Cor 15:33) and thus admonishes the young that “if sinners entice thee, consent thou not” (Prov 1:10). Obedience to God and His Word thus becomes our safety. In the case of Ruth, providence that brought her to the field of Boaz, and to Boaz that day, so ordered that she would be protected from many a snare and heartache. But this protection would be subjected to her obedience to the words Boaz spoke to her.

Those who seek to walk uprightly can do so only in obedience. The advice to the young as presented in the Book of Proverbs is repeatedly prefaced with the call to “hear” (Prov 1:8; 4:1, 10; 5:7; 8:6, 33), “receive” (Prov 2:1; 4:10; 8:10), “incline thine ear” (Prov 2:2; 4:20), and “hearken” (Prov 7:24; 8:32) to “my commandments” (Prov 2:1; 3:1; 4:4; 7:1, 2). Assurance of safety and, by extension, peace and joy are extended to those who willingly and obediently submit to the wisdom and guidance of God’s will as revealed in His Word by obedience.

THOUGHT: (Read Proverbs 1:33.)
PRAYER: Grant to me, Father, a humble heart that is yielded to obey Thy instructions at all times.