Ruth was a noble woman though she was from the pagan nation of Moab. She married a Jewish man while his family was in her country during a period of famine in Israel. Must've fallen deeply in love with this God-fearing family because after her husband died, she remained faithful to her mother-in-law, Naomi. When word that the famine was over in Israel, Ruth went with Naomi back to the Promised Land, refusing to be turned back. You've likely heard her words of uncompromising commitment to Naomi before. They’re often read at weddings.
"Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me." (Ruth 1:16, NIV)
If we knew nothing more about Ruth, these words would be enough to commend her to us. But we know more, much more.
Ruth and Naomi arrive in Israel about the time of the barley harvest. They are destitute - two women alone without anyone to support them - so Ruth offers her service to the older woman. "Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor." (Ruth 2:2, NIV)
She "happens" to find favor in the eyes of a man from the clan of Elimelech named Boaz. I say "happens" because I believe it was the hand of God putting her in the right place at the right time. Elimelech was Naomi's husband! Ruth is gleaning in the fields of a close relative. Important information for what happens in a little bit.
Ruth works hard and is treated kindly by Boaz. He gives her grain from what his harvesters have taken in. He urges her to stay in his fields and instructs his workers not to harm her or stop her from gathering even among the sheaves.
When Ruth reports all this to Naomi, the older woman shouts out her praise for the man. She tells Ruth about his connection to the family. She urges Ruth to continue gleaning in his fields.
Days later, a light comes on in Naomi’s mind. Boaz is the perfect man to redeem the family ground. He is kind. He is generous. He is taken with Ruth. (The text doesn't say that, but Naomi's pretty discerning. She reads between the lines.) So Naomi tells Ruth to go to Boaz's place after dark and lay down at his feet. Ruth obeys and sometime in the night, the man awakens and finds her sleeping there.
"Who are you?" he asks.
"I am your servant Ruth," she answers. "Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are my kinsman-redeemer." (Ruth 3:9, NIV)
Boaz is honored by this young woman’s respect and her noble request. Ruth is proposing he redeem Naomi's land and bear children through her to continue Elimelech's line. (A strange tradition to us, but an important thing in that day in Israel. It was the way of God's people. A man had to have an heir. His name had to survive.)
Boaz agrees to do as she asks. He sends Ruth home early in the morning before any of his men knows a woman has been among them. Ruth goes. She tells Naomi all. Her mother-in-law, giddy with delight, assures the younger woman that her redeemer won't rest until the matter is settled - that day!
Sure enough, early in the morning Boaz seeks out the man more closely related to Naomi's husband than he. He wants to know if he will accept his responsibility to redeem the land and have children for Elimelech or if he will defer to Boaz. When Boaz speaks of the land, the man is eager to redeem it, but when he learns of the woman, he balks. He says no to Ruth and so Boaz, rejoicing, takes this woman of noble character as his wife. They are married and have a son. Obed is his name. When Obed grows up, he has a son named Jesse and Jesse when full-grown has many sons, the youngest he gives the name David. David, the king God says is a man after his own heart, a man who obeys in everything.
Ruth and Boaz's story is a great love story. A woman in desperate need of help calls on a man to do the honorable thing. Her respect for him emboldens him to risk it all and take this recently converted God-follower as his wife. All who hear of it praise both the man and his wife. And to top it all off, the couple pass on their faith to the next generation and the next and the next. Their relationship has an impact on the nation of Israel for many generations. Their family has an even greater impact on the world. Jesus, our Savior, is born of their line.
All this took place because a noble woman showed great respect to a godly man, trusting him to do the right thing.
Women, I believe you can have a similar impact on your children and grandchildren and possibly even your great-grandchildren if you will show the same kind of respect and honor toward your husband as he seeks to lead your family in God's ways.
"Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord...[you] must respect her husband." (Ephesians 5:22; 33, NIV)
Why is respect your God-given task in the family? I'm convinced, in part, it is your job because your demeanor in your marriage relationship teaches your children how to submit to God. It teaches your children to respect those whom God has placed over them. It validates their father's words of wisdom and godly instruction. (That's his job.) It facilitates the passing on of faith in Jesus Christ in a way far more powerful way than you can imagine.
We saw it in Ruth's life. Her respect for Boaz had to impact her family. As a godly grandmother, she powerfully influenced her grandson Jesse. And David, her great-grandson, followed the Lord faithfully and blessed many.
Pretty impressive what God can do through a godly woman who chooses to submit to God by submitting to her husband, by honoring him, by respecting him.
On this day, Mother's Day, will you impact future generations? Will you respect your husband as God has commanded you. Respect is a husband's due in the same way love is yours. Respect your husband even in those moments when he fails and acts in unloving ways toward you. He will make mistakes. He is human after all. He cannot be faultless. Trust his heart and respect him anyway. His heart is good. He loves you. He is willing to die for you. He is willing to serve you. Submit to him as to the Lord. Respect your husband and bless your kids.
To receive my once or twice weekly message via email, send a blank email to webmessage-subscribe@associate.com. Past messages are available at freegroups.net/groups/webmessage.
No comments:
Post a Comment