V7PC Ruth Devotional Week 3

Redemption Sought Day 15

Read: RRuutthh 33::11--44

In this passage, Naomi concocted a plan to bring Ruth back into Boaz'sview and potentially marry her off. The harvest had ended, so Ruthwould have little interaction with Boaz until the next harvest season.So, Naomi suggested that Ruth approach Boaz while he was at thethreshing floor and lay down at his feet.

The strangeness of this act will be commented on tomorrow. What isimportant to notice today is the determination of Ruth in pursuing aredeemer. Ruth understood that she could not save herself; she came toBoaz out of desperation, hoping he could save her and her family.Whether Naomi was right or wrong to suggest her plan, Ruth's mainmotives were obedience and faith.

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We do not seek God before He has already sought us. Ruth is nodifferent, with Boaz acting as the picture of a redeemer. In Ruth 2,he approached her and cared for her. In chapter 3, Ruth sought himout. In what ways are we seeking the God who has called us toHimself in our daily living? Do we seek the One who redeems uswhen we have no hope apart from Him?

DDaa ii ll yy CChhaa ll ll eennggee

Do you have a relationship with Jesus Christ? Has God called you tobe part of His family, redeemed by Him? If so, have you respondedin faith? Are you passionately pursuing Him, even if you have beensaved your whole life? Think about this.

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Pray that you will pursue your Redeemer, Jesus Christ, all the days ofyour life; that regardless of your circumstances or difficulties, you willseek His face and put Him before yourself.

A Strange StoryDay 16


Ruth 3:1-4 is difficult to understand. It seems bizarre that a young,unmarried woman would go lay down at the feet of a man in the middleof the night. This leaves the modern reader wondering if this tale is a bitscandalous, or perfectly innocent. What makes this even more difficultis that commentators are divided on the issue.

Some see this as either a culturally acceptable practice (which isdoubtful) or that it is permissible because Ruth was already married toBoaz in God's eyes (also hard to accept). In reality, this situation wasnot socially acceptable, which was seen when Boaz wanted Ruth to leavein secret. Naomi's plan then, was right in the desire to pursue aredeemer, but wrong in its execution by putting Ruth into a shamefulsituation that could end badly.


How does this situation apply to us? Are we ever placed into badsituations either by our own sinfulness or the sin of another and yethave to trust that God is using the circumstances for His glory andare own good? Absolutely! Whether in a hurricane, high stress job,or in the car of a friend pulled over by the police, where is yourfaith in these kinds of situations?

DDaa ii llyy CChhaa ll ll eennggee

Think about a sinful decision you have made in the past that, in spiteof you, God used for good (Gen 50:20). Praise Him today for Hissovereignty and faithfulness and confess your need for Him afresh.


Pray that you will have great faith in God regardless of the places youfind yourself this week. In all that you face, good or bad, pray that youwill seek Him first and trust His plan for you.

Faith in Action Day 17


Ruth's loyalty and faithfulness is clearly seen yet again in this passage.In following Naomi's instructions, Ruth was not only being obedient in herpresent circumstances, but she was also keeping her promise from 1:16.As Ruth lived, even in difficult circumstances, she continued toremember her vow and acted faithfully on it.

Here, Ruth did two things that are commendable. First, she agreed towhat Naomi asked her to do. Thus, in her mind and with her words sheassented to Naomi's plan. What is more important, however, is what shedid next: Ruth acted on her words. Ruth did not do the bare minimum.Instead, the Hebrew indicates that she did everything she was asked intotal obedience. This is a picture of faith.


Faith is more than assenting to a truth about God. Even the demonsacknowledged Jesus as the Son of God Mt 8:28-29). What separatesknowledge from true faith is resting on who God is and what He haspromised, or acting on it. True Christian faith is displayed in theway that we live as a result of what God has done in our lives,evidencing what we proclaim to believe.


What promises of God do you find yourself resting on when life istough? How do you show your faith to be more than words in the waythat you live, not in order to earn God's favor, but because youalready have it? Write down or say aloud some of the promises ofGod today and hold fast to them.


Pray that your faith would be more than an intellectual idea to which youassent. Instead, pray that your faith would be deep trust in God and restin His promises.

Pursuing RedemptionDay 18


We are no different than Ruth in many regards. Our past often holds usback from pursuing our Savior. Wallowing in our guilt in shame,enjoying the pleasures of sin, or desiring beauty, wealth or prestigecan consume us. We need our God, who first loved us, to draw us intoHis resting place.


Make a list of the top 5 things you believe would make you happierif you had them right now (be honest!). Of those 5, how many haveto do with the love, character and promises of God? How many areabout what Christ has already done for you?


Matthew Henry suggests a prayer from these verses in hiscommentary: “Lord Jesus, take me into thy covenant and under thycare. I am oppressed, undertake it for me.”


In spite of the strangeness of Ruth's encounter with Boaz, addressed inDay 16, there are some incredible things that take place in this passage.Ruth was once again seen as a woman desperately seeking her redeemer.When Boaz discovered Ruth was at his feet, she told him that he was herkinsman redeemer and asked him to cover her. Another way of saying thisis that Ruth was placing herself under his protection, awaiting his shelter.

Boaz's response also reveals something about Ruth. He commented thatshe came to him rather than younger or richer men. The next fewverses reveal there are other kinsman-redeemers, at least one of whichis closer than Boaz. Yet, Ruth's desire was not to gain money, prestige,or even a better looking husband. Instead, Ruth desired to be redeemed bya man who cared for her and loved her in spite of her past, a godly man.

Difficult Decisions Day 19


As is often the case in life, the solution that seems easiest is not. WhileBoaz wanted to redeem Ruth, he knew that he was not the closestkinsman to Naomi. In order to fulfill the law, Boaz had to make certainthe other man did not want to fulfill the role of redeemer before hehimself could do so.

What this passage reveals about Boaz's character is that he not onlywanted to look after Ruth and save her, he wanted to do it the right way.Instead of trying to circumvent the law or give up altogether, he pledgedto solve the problem the very next day. Boaz was interested in doing theright thing the right way, remaining both a man of determination andhonor in the process.


Jesus Christ did not only live and die so that we might have eternallife. He also died to satisfy the just and righteous wrath of God, sothat our eternal life would be merited by His work. Christ, like Boaz,did not just mean well; He did well, fulfilling every requirement ofGod for our sake.


What implication does God's love have for tough decisions that youhave to make? When you have to choose between doing things rightversus taking the easy route, does the gospel play a part inmotivating your choice? It must! Think about the decisions of Boazand Christ. Both, in redeeming their loved ones, knew they had to dothe right thing in order for their love to truly be love.


Pray that you would reflect the love of God in the way that you makedecisions this week. When you are faced with a tough choice, pray thatChrist's love for you would be more motivating than the call of the world.

Abundant GraceDay 20


Even in the midst of this strange situation we see the grace of Boaz onceagain reflecting that of Christ. In this passage, Boaz did two things thatshowed how his care went above and beyond what was expected. First,we see that Boaz told Ruth to stay until morning but leave before othersarrived in order to preserve her honor.

Then, Boaz gave Ruth six measures of barely to take with her. AsMatthew Henry points out, Boaz essentially gave Ruth as much food asshe could possibly carry in one trip. This was the second time he gaveher an abundance of resources to care for herself and Naomi. Boaz wastruly a man of grace. He went beyond his legal obligation to care for thepoor to provide for the one he was out to save.


The connection between Christ and Boaz cannot be missed. JesusChrist came to earth with the purpose of redeeming what had beenlost: His chosen people. This salvation has provided us with anabundant grace we cannot even begin to measure.


There is a hymn called Count Your Blessings, where people are calledto remember what God has done for them one at a time. Spend sometime today writing down a list of all the things God has done in yourlife to provide for you abundantly. Make sure to include physical,mental, and spiritual provision as well as financial blessings, giftsand talents, family and friends, and everything else in your life.


Pray that when life is difficult and you feel overwhelmed and evenunloved, that God's abundant grace will remind you of the love of yourgreat Savior, Jesus Christ. Pray also that God would equip you with aheart passionate to show His grace to others.

Be Still... Day 21


Ruth was undoubtedly nervous as to what the next day would hold whenshe arrived home. After Naomi heard about Boaz's promise and saw hisgenerous giving, she gave Ruth some practical and godly advice. She toldRuth to sit, or dwell, on the matter, waiting for Boaz to move beforedoing anything else.

Sometimes faith means taking a step in the right direction, in spite oftrepidation or fear. Other times, like in the case of Ruth, faith meansresting in the promise of the One who is working out salvation. Byresting on Boaz's promise, Ruth is displaying faith in her redeemer,trusting that he will do what is in her best interest.


One of the hardest lessons for a Christian to learn is to be still andknow that God is in control, working for His glory and the good ofHis children (Ps 46:10). When we are at the end of our rope and itseems all hope is lost, we need to pause and reflect on the awesomepromises of God.


What is going on in your life right now where you need to stop andbe still? Entrust that situation to God today and take a step of faithto let Him do as He has promised. Trust the Sovereign King of theheavens to care for His children!


Pray that you will be still and know that He is God, that you will trustHim regardless of how difficult life becomes and how much you want toeffect change even when you are helpless to do anything about it. Openyour Bible and pray through Psalm 46.

Ruth – a Devotional and Prayer Guide

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V7PC Ruth Devotional Week 3

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