WordLive - Year OneSample

Prepare: Have you ever known you should do something good but felt too frightened of the potential consequences? Prepare you heart today by asking God to deliver you from the fears holding you back. Radical plan In the context of a strong belief in God’s providence Naomi made a plan; she was proactive. She encouraged Ruth to go and propose to Boaz. There was another closer relative who would have fitted the bill but he remained unnamed. However, Naomi believed that Boaz was the man for Ruth. It may seem radical today for a woman to propose to a man, but in this culture it was a truly astonishing plan. Ruth was to get into Boaz’ bed after he had eaten and drunk at the harvest party and trust in his righteousness not to take advantage of her. Courage and humility This would take real courage, but Ruth did it. She trusted Naomi, Boaz and ultimately God. She had to make herself vulnerable and exercise astonishing courage to go through with it. Boaz responded positively (v 10). He was impressed that she hadn’t gone for youth and good looks. Boaz was the Israelite, the man, the wealthy one, the one with power, yet he humbled himself! The Hebrew word translated ‘kindness’ here is hesed, which is also used for faithfulness. It is used of God in the book of Ruth and here it is also used of Ruth. Respond: God is faithful! Reflect on times in your life when you have trusted him and he has proved faithful. As you remember this take time to thank him. http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-09-06