Hello Everyone,
I pray that everyone had a blessed week. I hope that last week's lesson help to put many things into perspective. God's faithfulness is so awesome; it is beyond our finite understanding. We are faithful to an appointed destination. God's faithfulness has no destination, it is continuously traveling throughout mankind despite our behaviors.
The glory of God has really shown through this study of Ruth. He has made Himself known through the behaviors and characteristics of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz. Boaz and Naomi practiced obedience to God, while Ruth practiced obedience to Naomi and Boaz, the authority that God placed over her, in order to glorify God.
Our everyday actions contribute to the relationship that we will establish and nurture with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We must practice obedience to His word, precepts, and principles for our lives. When we operate in God's placement for us through obedience, then we position ourselves for His favor.
This week we will discuss positioning to favor. Naomi instructed Ruth in positioning herself for the favor of Boaz, all under the orchestration of God.
Resource
Ruth 4: 1-12
Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there; and behold, the close relative of whom Boaz had spoken came by. So Boaz said, “Come aside, friend, sit down here.” So he came aside and sat down. 2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down.3 Then he said to the close relative, “Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, sold the piece of land which belonged to our brother Elimelech. 4 And I thought to inform you, saying, ‘Buy itback in the presence of the inhabitants and the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it;but if you will not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know; for there is no one but you to redeemit, and I am next after you.’” And he said, “I will redeem it.” 5 Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also buy it from Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance.” 6 And the close relative said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I ruin my own inheritance. You redeem my right of redemption for yourself, for I cannot redeem it.” 7 Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging, to confirm anything: one man took off his sandal and gave it to the other, and this was a confirmation in Israel. 8 Therefore the close relative said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself.” So he took off his sandal. 9 And Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, from the hand of Naomi. 10 Moreover, Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, I have acquired as my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brethren and from his position at the gate. You are witnesses this day.” 11 And all the people who were at the gate, and the elders, said, “We are witnesses. The Lord make the woman who is coming to your house like Rachel and Leah, the two who built the house of Israel; and may you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. 12 May your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring which the Lord will give you from this young woman.”.
Lesson
Ruth had done all that was fit for her to do (Henry 1997). Naomi instructed Ruth to exhibit the behaviors of a virtuous woman in order to gain favor with Boaz. Ruth not only gained favor with Boaz, she also gained favor with the Lord. Ruth postured herself through faithfulness and obedience in order to receive a position of favor.
It is God's true desire to shower us with blessings. Just as a parent wants to give their children everything, so does the Father want to give us every good thing (James 1:17). Furthermore, just as a child must practice obedience and consistency, we must practice the same for our heavenly Father.
God rewarded Ruth for her loyalty to Him by giving her an honored place in the community of faith (Allen, House, Radmacher 1999). God elevated Ruth from a widowed destitute woman to a woman of wealth.
We are His most beloved and God, so much that He sent His own son to die for us (Romans 5:8). It is His plan to bless, if we would only practice obedience and position ourselves to be blessed (Galatians 6:9).
Ruth's journey proves positive to the faithfulness of God. Ruth exemplifies triumph through circumstance, obedience, faithfulness, humility, and faith. She practiced Godly principles necessary in positioning to favor. God's favor is glorious (Deuteronomy 7:9)!
Ruth gives us much more reason to cast our cares on God, because He has promised to care for them (Henry 1997). It is laughable that we attempt to resolve things in our own might. God's plan is ever more glorious than what we can conceive. Our strength is to sit still (Henry 1997). His outcome breeds favor (Isaiah 40:29-31).
The power and favor of God is beyond our understanding (Philippians 4:7).
Application
After experience the faithfulness of God through the reading of this passage in the Book of Ruth, I am inspired to diligently heed the word of God through obedience to position myself for favor. This week ask yourself these questions:
1. In what area of my life am I struggling to operate in obedience?
2. What skills have I acquired to practice obedience in this area?
3. Am I open to a more Godly approach to this area of disobedience?
After you have answered these questions, reread the Book of Ruth chapters 3 & 4. Imagine what favor you are holding back from yourself from practicing disobedience. Get into position for favor!
I pray that you all will have a blessed week!
Be blessed,
T. Carter
All scriptures were extracted from the Bible, King James Version. YouVerse (2013).
Allen, Ronald B., House, H. Wayne, & Radmacher, Earl (1999). New Illustrated Bible Commentary. Thomas Nelson Publishing. Nashville, Tennessee
Henry, Matthew (1997). Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible. Thomas Nelson Publishing. Nashville, Tennessee
