Meanwhile, action. While Ruth and Naomi waited, Boaz was busy taking action. He set about to do exactly what he said he was going to do. Read Ruth 4:1-2. Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there, and behold, the close relative of whom Boaz spoke was passing by, so he said, “Turn aside, friend, sit down here.” And he turned aside and sat down. RUTH 4:1 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/rut.4.1.NASB Boaz knew and understood that there was a closer relative who could redeem Ruth. However, he also knew that relative was not aware of the situation and did not understand all that was involved, so he set out…

Wait… again. Ruth and Naomi have been waiting, but now they are waiting again. They waited and they saw several things happen all of a sudden. Now they are back to waiting. Read Ruth 3:16-18. Then she said, “Wait, my daughter, until you know how the matter turns out; for the man will not rest until he has settled it today.” RUTH 3:18 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/rut.3.18.NASB Boaz has already indicated that he has a plan and now, they have to wait for him to follow through. This reminds me of when I have brought situations to God and I know that He has a plan to address them, but then I…

Generosity. Are we generous with our possessions and our time? Boaz didn’t have to give Ruth anything, and yet, before she heads home for the morning, he gives her a gift. Read Ruth 3:14-15. Again he said, “Give me the cloak that is on you and hold it.” So she held it, and he measured six measures of barley and laid it on her. Then she went into the city. RUTH 3:15 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/rut.3.15.NASB Ruth came that night just expecting to be able to ask Boaz about being her kinsmen redeemer. Yet, he would not allow her to leave without having something right then to show for her visit. He…

A plan. Boaz makes a plan based on what has happened with Ruth. She needs a savior and Boaz knows there are two potential candidates. Read Ruth 3:12-13. Remain this night, and when morning comes, if he will redeem you, good; let him redeem you. But if he does not wish to redeem you, then I will redeem you, as the Lord lives. Lie down until morning.” RUTH 3:13 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/rut.3.13.NASB Boaz is going to sort this once and for all. In this culture, if a man dies without any sons, a close family member is to marry the widow and raise a son that will carry on the name…

Reputation. People knew Ruth’s reputation and they shared it when they spoke about her. Read Ruth 3:10-11. Now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence. RUTH 3:11 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/rut.3.11.NASB Ruth had asked Boaz to be the one to take care of her. Boaz is responding. He knows about her and he has heard what the people in town have said about her. Ruth was not asking this of him for purely selfish reasons. And because Boaz was familiar with her reputation, he saw her actions as ones that had…

Ask. I am a big advocate of just asking for what you need. You may not always get what you want, but sometimes you will. If you don’t ask, then the answer is always no. Read Ruth 3:7-9. He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth your maid. So spread your covering over your maid, for you are a close relative.” RUTH 3:9 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/rut.3.9.NASB Ruth followed her mother-in-law’s direction and found herself right where she needed to be in order to ask for what she wants. So she did. Do we recognize when we have needs? When we see a need, do we actually ask for…

Action. Yesterday, we saw that Ruth trusted Naomi and all that Naomi was asking her to do. Today, we see that she did it. Read Ruth 3:6. So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law had commanded her. RUTH 3:6 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/rut.3.6.NASB It’s one thing to tell someone that you will do what they say. It’s something else to actually do it. When we say that we are going to do something, it is important to follow through and actually do it. Ruth didn’t just give lip service to her mother-in-law, she followed through on what was asked of her. Can the…

Trust. Today in the United States is traditionally and day where we try to trick other people. As a result, people don’t necessarily trust each other to mean what they say. However, this lack of trust is not just an issue on April fool’s day. Often, we evaluate what someone tells us to do based upon our own understanding of the situation. Look at how Ruth responds. Read Ruth 3:3-5. She said to her, “All that you say I will do.” RUTH 3:5 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/rut.3.5.NASB Naomi came to Ruth with her plan. And Ruth must have initially thought she was crazy. “You want me to do what?” Maybe Ruth had…

Preparation. Naomi has taken the time to think and to wait on God and now the time has come to act. She pulls Ruth aside and starts to share. Read Ruth 3:2. Now is not Boaz our kinsman, with whose maids you were? Behold, he winnows barley at the threshing floor tonight. RUTH 3:2 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/rut.3.2.NASB Now, obviously Naomi wasn’t just sitting around doing nothing this whole time. She had learned the pattern and rhythm of what was going on. She knew that Boaz would be working tonight. And now she reveals to Ruth the fact that he is a close relative and what that means. As we are waiting…

Then… such a simple word, but it captures such great timing. Things only happen after something else has already happened. We saw yesterday that Naomi waited and had patience. Only after having that level of patience did Naomi begin to act. Read Ruth 3:1. Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you? RUTH 3:1 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/rut.3.1.NASB Naomi had seen a glimpse of God’s plan. Now, after patiently waiting to pray, to seek God, to look to confirm what that flash of understanding had shown her, now she finally took action. Her first action was seeking…