RPG Adults
PROVIDENCE, CHOICES, AND FAMILY LIFE (10)
TUESDAY, AUGUST 13
Ruth 3:6-13
Ezekiel 16:1-8
“…I spread my skirt over thee,
and covered thy nakedness…”
PROVIDENCE, CHOICES, AND FAMILY LIFE (10)
Life situations change. Some things go according to plan, while others are not even thought of. For Boaz, overseeing the threshing and winnowing might have been planned. For Naomi and Ruth, the silent and secretive approach to where Boaz lay, and the sleeping at his feet were planned, but for Boaz these were unexpected. Yet, these were an invitation to him to take action. Many people get into trouble because of how they handle the unexpected. Boaz handled the unexpected with wisdom, discretion and maturity, and only good could come out of it.
“…Who art thou?.…” (Ruth 3:9). The question Boaz posed to Ruth drew a deep response from her. She identified herself, her mission and request. “I am Ruth thine handmaid” was how Ruth began. Previously, she had been identified by her Moabite origin by many, including the servant who had introduced her to Boaz in Ruth 2:6. Also, in response to Boaz, she had described herself as “a stranger” (Ruth 2:10). And Boaz acknowledged that she had “left… the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not…” (Ruth 2:11). She had also seen herself as “thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens” (Ruth 2:13). But here in Ruth 3, she simply identified herself by name and position. She took upon herself the lowliest of positions, though she used a different Hebrew word from the words used in chapter 2. She consistently showed humility in her dealings with Boaz and presented her request for Boaz to act on her behalf.
“…spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman” (Ruth 3:9). To Boaz, it was an unexpected invitation to act on behalf of a vulnerable relative, especially Ruth, one to whom he had extended much grace during the harvest period. She asked him as a near kinsman to “spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid” (Ruth 3:9). She used a metaphor that was common to and well understood by them. It was an expression that had been used to describe the covenant that God had made with His people (Ezek 16:8).
THOUGHT: (Read Ephesians 5:3.)
PRAYER: (Use Proverbs 30:8-9.)