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PROVIDENCE, CHOICES, AND FAMILY LIFE (9)
MONDAY, AUGUST 12
Ruth 3:6-13

Matthew 1:18-25

 

“Then Joseph her husband,
being a just man… was minded

to put her away privily.”

 

PROVIDENCE, CHOICES, AND FAMILY LIFE (9)
 
The discretion and maturity showed by Boaz under the circumstances is clearly seen in how he handled and responded to the situation he found himself in. He presented himself as a good man. “A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion” (Ps 112:5). And he was also a man of great understanding. D. B. Macdonald says, “Boaz is quietly handling the situation like a gentleman, and not either as an old fool or a village lout. He may be countrified but he has dignity and restraint.”
 
“And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid…” (Ruth 3:8). It appeared that it might have taken some time for Boaz to notice that there was someone at his feet. We are not told how Boaz stirred up to the discovery of someone at his feet. Whatever it was that stirred him up, he was startled to discover Ruth at his feet. If he had been intoxicated with wine and lost soberness, this discovery would have been a very great snare and temptation to him. The Bible rightly observes: “Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee” (Prov 2:11). The dangers that a man devoid of wisdom and discretion faces are innumerable. They are dangers that can ruin reputation, destroy life and the body, and impoverish him. However, the possession and use of wisdom not only preserved Boaz in such an unexpected and unplanned situation, but also established him and his life.
 
Boaz needed to be sober, not only to respond correctly to the startling discovery at midnight, but also to understand the proposal that Ruth came with, and to address it in a lawful and biblical manner. Naomi and Ruth probably assumed that Boaz was their nearest kinsman, hence the proposal was directed to him, and they knew that he would understand and know what needed to be done. Therefore, the proposal was not presented in plain words, but is was as it were acted out by Ruth, when at midnight she requested to be covered by Boaz’s skirt (Ruth 3:9). Thus, Boaz noted that Ruth had trusted her LORD.
 
THOUGHT: My behaviour and habits are outcomes of my decisions.

PRAYER: (Use Proverbs 30:8-9.)

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