This is so dangerous.
Ruth heard some movement to her left and jumped. Slamming her back against the wall of a building, she clamped her right hand over her mouth in an effort to hold in her squeal.
After waiting to see if anyone was coming, Ruth starting moving again. She had immediately found one of the servant girls when she arrived at the threshing floor. The sweet young woman in service to Boaz was a hopeless romantic, and swooned at the very idea of helping Ruth. She helped Ruth watch for Boaz, so she could see the place where he would lay down for the night.
The party had come and gone, and most everybody was laying down, waiting for sleep to claim them. Ruth could feel her heart thundering in her chest. She could hear someone's loud snores.
There was a time when she never would have considered doing this. But day by day, Boaz had charmed his way into her heart, and Ima Naomi-that conniving matchmaker! She had spent days talking about Boaz and about how he was a relative, a redeemer even. Then she hatched this plan, and before she knew it, she had agreed to it.
There was a time when she never would have considered doing this. But day by day, Boaz had charmed his way into her heart, and Ima Naomi-that conniving matchmaker! She had spent days talking about Boaz and about how he was a relative, a redeemer even. Then she hatched this plan, and before she knew it, she had agreed to it.
All of that led to this moment.
Because she could see him.
He was sleeping peacefully, the moonlight playing on his face. She smiled at the silly look on his face. He was happy. He even looked comfortable. A thick blanked was covering him from feet to chest. Another blanket was wadded up under his head as his pillow.
This was it. Everything came down to this moment. Would he reject her, or would he welcome her under his wing? Would he be willing to provide for her, love her even? Ruth wanted those things so desperately. The last few years had left her heart broken.
She needed some healing.
Creeping closer, she knelt down, and gently removed the blanket from Boaz's feet.
She laid down on her side facing Boaz. She was placing everything, her whole future, at his feet.
Based on Ruth 3:6-7
Does the Bible ever seem random to you? Do the stories and the customs of the people ever just blow your mind? You just sit there and go, "What on earth? That is so weird!" Well, I've felt like that with this part in Ruth and Boaz's story.
Naomi, Ruth's mother-in-law, hatched this crazy plan for Ruth to go to the threshing floor, and in the middle of the night, uncover Boaz's feet, and lay there.
I can just see the faces of all of you who can't stand the idea of gross feet. Today, you and I would say, "Why would you go lay down at someone's feet? Gross." Control your gagging, and hang in there; I have a point.
Boaz woke up and saw Ruth there. Ruth said, "I am Ruth, your servant. Spread you wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer." (Ruth 3:9)
This action was so humble and submissive and trusting. It moved Boaz. He says, "My you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman." (Ruth 3:10-11)
To us, this all seems so bizarre. Maybe because we don't lay our burdens, our lives, every hope and dream at Someone's feet.
Isn't this what we are supposed to do with Jesus? It is! We are supposed to lay all at His feet. We are supposed to go to our Redeemer. Unlike Ruth, we do chase after the "younger" things in this world. New things to hope in and believe. New religions to try. New gods to worship. New ways to provide money. New people to trust. Instead of God, we chase after all these things.
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
This is Jesus talk for, "Come lay at my feet, and I will redeem you!" This is a blanket invitation that Jesus has spread over us.
"And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."
1 John 2:17
Instead of chasing things that will fade away, things that won't solve our problems anyways, lets lay at Jesus' feet. Luke 10:38-41 is the story of Mary and Martha. Jesus said that Mary chose the good portion. She immediately went to Jesus' feet, and didn't move from there.
No matter the commotion around you. No matter how dire the situation. Lay your burdens down at Jesus' feet. Like Naomi, Mary, and faithful Ruth, that should be our first and only idea.
V. Joy Palmer
To us, this all seems so bizarre. Maybe because we don't lay our burdens, our lives, every hope and dream at Someone's feet.
Isn't this what we are supposed to do with Jesus? It is! We are supposed to lay all at His feet. We are supposed to go to our Redeemer. Unlike Ruth, we do chase after the "younger" things in this world. New things to hope in and believe. New religions to try. New gods to worship. New ways to provide money. New people to trust. Instead of God, we chase after all these things.
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
This is Jesus talk for, "Come lay at my feet, and I will redeem you!" This is a blanket invitation that Jesus has spread over us.
"And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."
1 John 2:17
Instead of chasing things that will fade away, things that won't solve our problems anyways, lets lay at Jesus' feet. Luke 10:38-41 is the story of Mary and Martha. Jesus said that Mary chose the good portion. She immediately went to Jesus' feet, and didn't move from there.
No matter the commotion around you. No matter how dire the situation. Lay your burdens down at Jesus' feet. Like Naomi, Mary, and faithful Ruth, that should be our first and only idea.
V. Joy Palmer
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