Can I tell you a secret? Ruth Chapter 3 has always made me a little nervous. I mean, am I the only one who cringes at the thought of Ruth going to the threshing floor that night and following Naomi’s orders? Ahhh, talk about awkward! My heart begins to beat faster, and I get anxious just thinking about how nervous Ruth must have been!
It wasn’t until recently when I read more of the background and symbolism behind Naomi’s instructions to Ruth that I began to understand the parallel to Christ’s redemption of our lives.
Take for instance Naomi’s advice to Ruth instructing her to change from her clothes of mourning and widowhood to new, clean and fresh clothes signifying that her time of mourning her husband’s death is over and she should move on with her life. How beautiful that Naomi would be the one to suggest this to Ruth and lovingly give her the freedom and blessing to move on! Like Ruth, I feel I’ve needed a “Naomi” in my life to give me permission to exchange my clothes of mourning and embrace a new season of availability to God. Removing the garments of unforgiveness, betrayal, bitterness and pain and putting on new garments of hope, redemption, and love.
I didn’t realize until studying the book of Ruth that in the Hebrew Bible, the book of Proverbs is actually right before the book of Ruth. How wonderful that right after we read Proverbs 31:31 we are sent to Ruth’s amazing story of redemption!
What we see in Ruth 3:11 is the same description we see of the “Proverbs 31 Woman” in verse 31:31. Just like the “Proverbs 31 Woman”, Ruth was also praised at the city gates…a woman mind you who was born in an enemy country, who was an alien in the country she was living in….this broken, widowed woman was actually a Proverbs 31 woman!.
Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.- Proverbs 31:31
Ruth is praised at the city gates because of how she has loved Naomi, worked hard to provide food for her mother-n-law and sought to honor her. A woman who could have turned away and started a new life in her homeland chose instead to leave all that she knew and walk forward in faith…not knowing what the road to Bethlehem would hold for her.
I’m learning so many lessons to apply to my life as I’m inspired by Ruth’s story. We can never dismiss the power of a life lived out in love for God and others. We see this in Ruth’s life…as we see it in the life of the “Proverbs 31 Woman”, too. Both women lived with their focus on God and serving those around them. Both women lived for more than themselves and because of that, both women’s every day, step-by-step obedience is still encouraging generations of women thousands of years later!
As I’ve been reading through Ruth, I’ve been challenged through this powerful book to live more boldly for Christ. To walk my life out in greater faith and greater obedience…even if I’m not sure what is waiting for me in my “Bethlehem”…to take the journey forward all the same. It’s not easy to humble ourselves and lay our lives down at the feet of our Redeemer…but just like Boaz, Jesus doesn’t reject us. He sees us and loves us.
“The book of Ruth is much more than the record of the marriage of a rejected alien to a respected Jew. It’s also the picture of Christ’s relationship to those who trust Him and belong to Him.”- Warren Wiersbe
Sweet friends, just as Boaz accepted and loved Ruth, Christ does the same for each of us!
Let’s Talk: What about Ruth’s life encourages you so far in our study? Is there something new that you’ve learned?
Love God Greatly,
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ANNOUNCING OUR FALL STUDY:
J O N A H
Begins: September 3rd
Study Length: 4 weeks
The story of Jonah is more than just a story of a disobedient, runaway prophet and a hungry fish.
It’s a story of a compassionate God who longs for everyone to come to salvation, even a nation who has done great evil in His sight. His heart of compassion is not limited by the severity of their sins…or ours. He desires for them to turn from their evil ways and repent, rather than continue down their destructive roads which lead to judgement.
Read more in our announcement post and join us for our NEW fall study on September 3rd!
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I am glad to be part of this wonderful group. I have learnt a lot from the book of Ruth.
Lesson 1: Don’t allow your present situation to hold back,move forward and keep trusting God and your story will end with thanksgiving.
Lesson 2: We should learn to be a woman of good character. Although, I believe one good turn deserves another,if Naomi wasn’t a great MIL ,Ruth wouldn’t have been good to her. As a MIL, how do you treat your daughter in law?
Dee, thank you for joining us!! We are so glad you’re here. I don’t have a daughter in law, but I love my mother in law. Even when my husband and I divorced she still included me. Even now that he has passed my son and I still spend Christmas with her and he spends every other Thanksgiving with her. I realize how blessed I am to have a MIL like her. Being included and treated like family is the best.
We are in the midst of a family crisis , but as in Ruth, we are able to see God’s provision. What blessing in the midst of pain. Ruth’s faith -stepping out into the unknown as we launch into a different season. A season no one ever desires to go through but God is faithful and trustworthy. And as Ruth was known in town, as we are going through this time, it is unbelievable how much the community are supporting us. I choose this study of Ruth because I love it. It started the day we got the news that our grandson has cancer. It has been just what I needed as we go through this hard season of life.
Karen thank you for joining us. Prayers for you’re family. Dear Heavenly Father, wrap your arms around this family in this hour of need.
This study in Ruth is challenging me to trust God. Please pray for a situation in our family: Our Daughter in law just found out that she is pregnant with triplets! Overwhelming news to say the least!! She is a young believer and we are very concerned that the medical advice might be to abort the weakest baby. Please pray that they will trust God and will continue this pregnancy.
Sherry, thank you for joining us. Triplets! Wow. Prayers for this young couple and for all surrounding them and giving advice. Ruth has always been my favorite book, but it has challenged me this study. I’ve experienced and had lights go off in my head. It’s been an eye opener for sure. Again, thank you for joining us and prayers for all involved during this pregnancy.
Heavenly Father, please be with this young family during this time. Be with the medical staff advising them on a plan. Let your will be done. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
This year has been a growing theme of… “just OBEY!”… without reason, question, explanation, puzzle pieces… “just OBEY”. Clearly, , Ruth is obeying. She’s obeying and He… God… is providing! Such a beautiful and tangible life! This study has been a blessing and an encouragement to my heart and season!!!!
Audra, yes!! You nailed it! I personally have been wondering what this year was telling me with the different studies I am doing and reading your response, it is OBEY. Thank you so much for joining us and sharing your thoughts.
This story teaches me that we should accept to be encouraged.we should appreciate people who take time to study us, listen to us to us and go step by step with us until we overcome.
I believe that Ruth could at times say things that made Naomi understand her heart status.That way the MIL would know how to help her, she got to know the healing pace of Ruth’s heart. And she knew when she was ready for change and even encouraged her to stop mourning and move on.
I have learnt that no matter how broken and shattered I am there are people around me who can see greatness in me and help me move forward.
Be blessed.
Josephine, I absolutely love the book of Ruth. Every time I read it I learn something new about myself. Thank you so much for joining us. I also agree that when we need people the most they are there for us, we just need to look and/or ask for help. Again, thank you for sharing and joining us!
That is so interesting to see Ruth as a Proverbs 31 woman, and that Ruth 3:11 “let her own works praise her in the gates.” And yes, Ruth follows Proverbs in the Hebrew order of the Bible. I never thought about that before, maybe because we don’t have men sitting at “the gates” in our country, and the men sitting around making laws and such don’t seem to be praising women. Now I want to live up to that verse (Prov.31:31) but at the gates of heaven.
Birdie,
Thank you for joining us. Isn’t it great when we are provoked to see things a little differently? Thank you so much for your input!
I am learning that we will be much, much better off if we follow Gods rules, instead of doing what we think is best!!
My daughter, Kris, is married, works full time and is insisting on taking three college classes each semester. She has confided in me that she is struggling.
But she is determined to continue in this path. Please, please pray that God will give her the wisdom she needs to know what would be best in His eyes. Thank you so much.
Laura,
Thank you for joining us. Prayers are going out for your daughter and for you so you will know what to say and how to encourage her when she might need it. Ah…following our own way seems so much easier…I look back and think where would I be if I had just listened and followed God. Again, prayers for your family and thank you for joining us in the conversation today!
This blog post was so encouraging. Thank you Angela! I know that I am supposed to obey but reading through Ruth’s story is really making me think hard about how much do I really obey God. I have some circumstances going on with my 16 year old daughter going on right now that is really distracting me from this study, and I know that I am not giving it my all. Because mentally I am exhausted from everything my daughter is going through. So I really appreciate reading these blog posts and the other SOAPS from the woman in my group. It gives me that outlook that I can’t find for myself right now. I hope this made sense. I’m truly grateful for this study.
Shannan,
Thank you so much for joining in the conversation today. Thank you for sharing your story with us. I pray that things settle down for you and your daughter and that God places His healing arms around you.
Thank you for this blog page and for the small group also. Your insights Angela, as well as those in the comment section give me more to think about. I think Ruth is humble, brave, courageous, hard working, hopeful and many more fine attributes. Attributes that are referred to often in the Bible. Such a good example to aspire to be…
the word “however” is a scary word… God has plans… things we don’t know cannot be helped but we can / i can know that His Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Let me walk in the next steps… the however’s He has for me.
I am learning SO much from this study! It’s no coincidence that you shared this post. Here is my SOAP from Tuesday.
S – Ruth 3:8-9 Now it happened at midnight that the man was startled, and turned himself; and there was a woman lying at his feet. And he said, “Who are you?” So she answered,”I am Ruth your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative.”
O – There is SO much here! First I’m sure Boaz is relieved to see that Ruth startled him and not a thief. By laying at his feet Ruth was being submissive and showing respect much like a servant would have back in that time. She states who she is, she states what she has come for (fulfillment of her rights to carry on Elimelech’s name) and who he is in relation to her (goel – redeemer). She tells Boaz to take her under his wing….to spread the corner of his garment over her. There are a few applications here in regards to Boaz spreading the corner of his garment over her and taking her under his wing. There are SO many references to wings (hebrew word kanaph) in the scriptures. We find safety, refuge and shelter under the wings of our Almighty God. There is healing in His wings. There is also something else. The hebrew word kanaph (wings) can also be found in Numbers 15:37-41, Deut. 22:12 and Zech. 8:23. This verses speak of the tassels that were to be worn by the Israelites to be holy, so the nations will see and grasp the corners (wings) of the righteous and as a reminder of God’s covenant with them. This also transferred to the marriage covenant back in biblical times as well as among Jews today. They are married under the chupah (wings). This also includes the woman with the issue of blood. She reached out in faith (firm action) and grasped Jesus’ tassels and was healed. She was redeemed, restored and made whole. She knew there was healing there. Ruth left her country, her family, her culture, everything she knew to follow the God of Israel. She is now coming full circle by truly entering into covenant relationship.
A – There have been many times in my life and even here in the present when I don’t find shelter, security, healing and refuge under the wings of my Almighty and powerful God. I try to do things on my own when what I really need to do is grasp the corner of His garment knowing that all I need is there. He wants to bring healing and restoration to my heart however I have to be the one to initiate and reach out. I have to take firm action (faith) and grasp His tassels and never let go. I just don’t practice this in my life and it makes me sad because God is the only One I should be holding on to. He waits for me every time and I don’t turn to Him for all these things.
P – Heavenly Father, what an eye opening experience You have provided for me today, thank You! Forgive me for all the times I have not grasped and held tightly to Your tassels. You have SO much waiting for me there and I have not always been faithful to turn to You. Thank You for all I have learned so far. Thank You for revealing Your heart. I will grasp Your tassels and never let go, I will be faithful to covenant You spell out in Your Word. Thank You for being my Redeemer and the Restorer of all things. Amen!
My apologies for the long SOAP, I learned so much and just wanted to share. I pray everyone is well, blessed and is having a good week so far.
Thankful Tuesday – Always thankful for God’s provision in all things.
Many Blessings,
Jamileh
All of the comments are very interesting and encouraging. It shows that reading and studying the word of of God keep us happy, healthy and most importantly praying daily is the key to a successful living.