The person keeps the bottom line
Ruth 3:10-18; 9/11/2022; BCBC/IOUC; Rev. Paul Wang
Introduction
There are not many people who have a bottom line in life, and even fewer can hold on to it! Alcohol, sex, wealth and fame, the four major killers, took away the bright future of many outstanding children, right? Boaz was a man who overcame temptation and kept the bottom line. Let’s look at the first point:
The person who honors the Lord
Nothing is necessary to have or not to have except Jesus Christ! It’s easier said than done, right? First, focus on God’s value. If Boaz is not a person who honors the Lord, it is impossible for him to pass the beauty test! After drinking, in a daze, in the middle of the night, meeting a beautiful woman to approach him, how could he resist temptation? Many people may think it is impossible and not easy, but the Bible does testify to the core value of Boaz, who valued God’s blessings far more than his own lusts. Boaz, who has been through life’s ups and down, does not want to stumble on this! He said to Ruth, “The Lord bless you, my daughter!” When one’s eyes are turned to God, it is possible to overcome temptation!
Second, focus on the farther direction. Boaz asked “Who are you?”, but didn’t continue to say, “What do you want to do?” Boaz didn’t let himself continue to have a meaningless conversation with Ruth, but led her in the direction of God. He said to Ruth: “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier!” What’s the meaning? This is a comparison, that is, to the blessings that you will have in the future, far more than the lustful pleasures we have here today! At the same time, if we care about this short-term happiness, we will surely lose the farther homeland that God has prepared for us! Why is it necessary to lose eternity because of short sightedness?
Finally, pay attention to the testimony of life. Ruth was probably lonely and worried that Naomi could not be her long-term support. So Ruth humbled herself and said: “I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family.” Boaz valued Ruth’s life testimony and said: “And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character.” In this way, Boaz was literally agreeing to Ruth’s marriage proposal. Boaz was affectionate, Ruth was intentional, and this made a good story. Boaz guarded himself and abstained from sex, and it was Ruth he was waiting, this woman with a beautiful testimony. For he knows that only a virtuous wife is given by the Lord. With a wife like this, what can a husband ask for? Let’s look at the second point:
The person who has done his duty
Getting engaged is not easy, and getting married is not easy either. Often inextricably linked to family responsibilities, traditions, laws, family members, etc. Agree?First, it must be fair and reasonable. One proposes, one agrees, this is fair. But is it reasonable? Boaz said: “Although it is true that I am a guardian-redeemer of our family, there is another who is more closely related than I.” This is the reality they will face, and Boaz must respect this relative who has priority over himself. It’s good to be in love with each other, but love can’t be the biggest issue, it must be reasonable. Just imagine, if Boaz recklessly had sex relation with Ruth that night, what kind of turmoil would it cause in the local area? Not only will they lose the good reputation, God’s name will also be ruined. I thought maybe God might change his plans and not have them as David’s grandparents, or even Jesus Christ’s ancestors!
Second, it must be in one’s mindset and legitimate. Although nothing happened, after all, Ruth slept at the feet of Boaz all night, and it would affect Ruth’s reputation if it got out. Boaz said to Ruth, “Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to do his duty as your guardian-redeemer, good; let him redeem you. But if he is not willing, as surely as the Lord lives I will do it. Lie here until morning.” At this time, the love between them are of one heart and they take care of each other. Although I have intentions, I still need to get the opinion of another relative who has priority over me. This is Boaz showing his boundary and attitude: Love is great, but it should be legitimate. If it is inappropriate, the two should not be boasted about! Many of today’s marriage losers are actually failed by the illusory creed of “love comes first.”
Finally, falling in love and being kind. They are sure that they are interested in each other, and the next step is to get along with each other. The two of them probably hadn’t slept all night, and talked till dawn. When it was almost dawn, when people could not recognize each other, they got up. Boaz commanded, Let no one know that a woman is present. The purpose, of course, was to protect Ruth’s reputation from loss. Being kind is not just for making money, it is also an expression of love. Boaz also said, “Bring me the shawl you are wearing and hold it out.” When she did so, he poured into it six measures of barley and placed the bundle on her. Then he went back to town.” The relationship between husband and wife, including all kinds of people, whether there is a harmonious attitude is the standard to check whether there is love between each other! Don’t believe the lie that quarrels are the way to love each other, being kind is often the touchstone of a person’s quality. Look at the third point:
The people who wait for the grace of the Lord
Oftentimes, the last bottom line in life is waiting, and it is also the most difficult bottom line, do you agree? First, Naomi’s waiting. Ruth was following Naomi’s instructions and wanted to “overtake a car on a curve”, to make the thing happen. At that time, you Boaz, have no other choice but to marry Ruth. Many of today’s tragedies caused by unmarried pregnancies, cohabitation before marriage, or premarital sex are much the same as Naomi’s mentality. No matter how much you love someone to the death, how happy and blessed can you be if you are not pleasing to God? Unruly marriages have a major impact on future marriage relations. The result of Naomi’s waiting was far beyond her expectations. Neither fornication occurred nor any verbal promise from Boaz.
Second, Ruth’s waiting. Ruth didn’t sleep a night, waited all night, not waiting for her mother-in-law’s design, nor her own expectations. Of course, Ruth’s waiting also paid off. What she waited for was Boaz’s character, Boaz’s attitude, Boaz’s principles, and expectations for the future with Boaz. If she can really marry a man like Boaz, that’s the right person! I also encourage our sisters to use Boaz’s temperament and character as a template, and his life of loving and fearing God as an example when choosing a spouse!
Finally, Boaz’s waiting. Naomi, who is so experienced in handling human relations said to Ruth, “Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today.” She thought she knew Boaz’s trump card thoroughly, and as a local powerful person, in addition to Ruth’s face, she also cared about her own face. However, Naomi is obviously taking the belly of a gentleman with the heart of a villain. Judging from the subsequent development of events, Boaz is a mature and stable person. He is very familiar with the rules of the “Agenda”, as well as the “land buying and selling process, the order of rights to purchase”and the “public witness” process. We would wonder: How the Mosaic Law was still so revered by this Bethlehem community in the “Dark Ages” of the Judges.
Conclusion
Thank God! A person with a bottom line is a person pleased with God. If it is said that honoring the Lord is the core value for people to keep the bottom line, then it is a responsibility to perform one’s own duty. May the grace of the Lord be sufficient. Even when we cannot bear it any longer, God will still give us the grace to wait on Him! The psalmist said, Be still, and know that I am God!
Let us pray……
Ruth 3:10-18
10 “The Lord bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor.
11 And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character.
12 Although it is true that I am a guardian-redeemer of our family, there is another who is more closely related than I.
13 Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to do his duty as your guardian-redeemer, good; let him redeem you. But if he is not willing, as surely as the Lord lives I will do it. Lie here until morning.”
14 So she lay at his feet until morning, but got up before anyone could be recognized; and he said, “No one must know that a woman came to the threshing floor.”
15 He also said, “Bring me the shawl you are wearing and hold it out.” When she did so, he poured into it six measures of barley and placed the bundle on her. Then he[a] went back to town.
16 When Ruth came to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked, “How did it go, my daughter?”
Then she told her everything Boaz had done for her
17 and added, “He gave me these six measures of barley, saying, ‘Don’t go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’”
18 Then Naomi said, “Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today.”
