Ruth 3
“Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, should I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you? Is not Boaz our relative, with whose young women you were? See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. Wash therefore and anoint yourself, and put on your cloak and go down to the threshing floor, but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. But when he lies down, observe the place where he lies. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what to do.” And she replied, “All that you say I will do.”
“So she went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law had commanded her. And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. Then she came softly and uncovered his feet and lay down. At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet! He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.” And he said, “May 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. And now it is true that I am a redeemer. Yet there is a redeemer nearer than I. Remain tonight, and in the morning, if he will redeem you, good; let him do it. But if he is not willing to redeem you, then, as the Lord lives, I will redeem you. Lie down until the morning.
”So she lay at his feet until the morning, but arose before one could recognize another. And he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” And he said, “Bring the garment you are wearing and hold it out.” So she held it, and he measured out six measures of barley and put it on her. Then she went into the city. And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “How did you fare, my daughter?” Then she told her all that the man had done for her, saying, “These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said to me, ‘You must not go back empty-handed to your mother-in-law.’”She replied, “Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest but will settle the matter today.”
Some traditions, actions and accounts in the Old Testament leave us scratching our heads. I mean what’s all this about Naomi telling Ruth to lay down at Boaz’s feet while he slept? Ok, feigned nativity aside, I believe Naomi was encouraging Ruth to, as the kids say, “lock it down.” But I think this next chapter in the story is just one more glimpse into Boaz’s character.
He had already displayed care and generosity for Ruth by allowing her to glean wheat from his field. But sometimes we do good for ulterior motives. We give a little to get a little. And Ruth didn’t have many options left. Boaz certainly could have taken advantage of the situation, but he showed integrity and true concern for Ruth, even her reputation. He made it clear to her that he wasn’t about to cut any corners in taking care of her.
There’s a term in the investment world relating to this – “fiduciary.” Some financial advisors get kickbacks and perks from certain products that they sell, even if it’s not the best option for their client. But a fiduciary is legally bound to have their client’s best interest in mind, even if it doesn’t benefit the advisor as much. It’s the attitude of ‘client first.’
Boaz was acting in a fiduciary capacity. Look at his words above. He was saying in effect, “look, Ruth, I’m going to make sure that you’re taken care of. And we’re going to go about it the right way.”
In God’s economy, the ends don’t justify the means. And when we act with integrity and as a fiduciary towards others, God will honor that and our actions will glorify Him. God’s blessings will outweigh any perks we might be tempted to finagle by cutting corners or helping ourselves as we “help” others.
While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
- Have there been times when your charity has been a mask for what you might benefit from the action?
- Do you even think this is an issue? Why or why not?
Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you?
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?
Jon Price, Associate Pastor
