Most of us have heard about Ruth in the Bible. Hers is a story of redemption. A true love story! She followed God and was richly rewarded. Boaz treated her like a queen!
Ruth became a widow and followed her Mother-in-Law Naomi, who also became a widow back in Naomiโs homeland. Even after Naomi told her she should go back to her family, Ruth replied, โDonโt 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.โ Ruth 1:16
She showed dedication & faithfulness. This reputation preceded her.
Ruth was willing to go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone whose eyes would find her favor. (These were two women trying to make it on their own, and she was willing to find favor with whoever would look at her!) As it turns out, she was working in a field of a very well-to-do older man named Boaz (who just happened to be single). Boaz arrived and saw her and asked, โWhose young woman is that?โ After finding out who she was, Boaz insisted she only work in his field and only work with his servant girls.
He instructed the men to NOT TOUCH HER! And told her whenever she is thirsty, she may go get a drink in any of the waters the men have filled. He was smitten with her. He invited her to eat with him and sent home extra barley from the field. Naomi told Ruth to go tonight after he had eaten and lay at his feet and covered herself with a blanket. (This was a symbol in those times that she was giving herself in marriage.) Ruth did as Naomi said. Boaz awoke to her and was surprised! He was surprised she had not chosen one of the younger men. Why him? He was even more smitten by her because of her kind heart. He did not accept her proposal. He obeyed the law at the time which stated her land and herself must be presented to a younger man. If that man agrees, then she will marry the younger man. If he does not, then Ruth and Boaz will marry.
Turns out the younger man only wanted the land, not the lady that came with it as it would endanger his own estate. This meant Boaz could marry Ruth!
๐ฎ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ณ๐๐๐ ๐บ๐๐๐๐:
โฃ๏ธHe saw her faithfulness in the every day (working in the fields) and it turned out to be one of the most meaningful things she ever did because it led to her seeing Godโs promise in Boaz.
โฃ๏ธHe loved Ruth at first sight! Who is that girl in the field!
โฃ๏ธHe loved her and โonlyโ her. He obviously had other servant girls working, but only had eyes for Ruth.
โฃ๏ธHe protected her at all costs. He instructed the men DO NOT HARM HER! He knew if she were to leave his field in those days, she had the potential of being harmed.
โฃ๏ธHis kindness never stopped. He gave her water when she needed it, let her eat at his table, and sent her home with leftover grain from the fields.
โฃ๏ธLoved her too much to take advantage of her. He would not take her proposal until it was lawful. He adored her.
They married and built a legacy.
๐พ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฉ๐๐๐!