Ruth: The Romance Of Repentance And Inclusion P5(Cupid's Trained Arrow)

Emmanuel Nyabam

Apr 25

IN THE days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem of Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, his wife, and his two sons. The man's name was Elimelech and his wife's name was Naomi and his two sons were named Mahlon [invalid] and Chilion [pining]; they were Ephrathites from Bethlehem of Judah. They went to the country of Moab and continued there. But Elimelech, who Naomi's husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. And they took wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They dwelt there about ten years; And Mahlon and Chilion died also, both of them, so the woman was bereft of her two sons and her husband. And Ruth said, Urge me not to leave you or to turn back from following you; for where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts me from you.

Ruth 1:1‭-‬5‭, ‬16‭-‬17 AMPC

This morning we begin at the end of chapter two and race into chapter three. Boaz repeatedly demonstrated God's compassion toward this Moab woman, he even went beyond the law. He not only allowed her to glean; he also amply supplied her with food and herein we see how the law functions in the life of godly people. It was a guide to righteous living. Again for me I see relationship as been of two sides by this. Cupid's Trained Arrow could not function without the two parts. Boaz generosity would have gone unnoticed by Naomi but for the hard work Ruth put in to pick up the left overs. The charity exhibited by Boaz secretly was the highest form of pure love and romance by a man who knew his place and took care of a woman. This reminds me of the slap Chris Tucker received from Will Smith. Will felt obligated to make a public show of protecting his wife from years of abuse. Many may not agree but the Chivalry of his actions would live long in the minds of many.

Naomi seeing the amount of food picked up the signal and decided to play cupid. She wanted the best for her daughter-in-law and she had faith in Boaz to look after her, not just because of His wealth, but because of his character. THE PREPARATION PERIOD & WISE COUNSEL. Similar to Esther, Ruth had to prepare before meeting the one she desired to call her husband. In this, we learn that we have to prepare before seeking the things that we 'desire', because it is in our preparation that we will truly know whether it is worth seeking after. This goes for anything in life, albeit Godly relationships or good grades; they all require preparation and sometimes an elder like Naomi to give advice. Naomi not only gave advice she actively set the mood to get the man with her instructions.

I say SOMETIMES, because Naomi's advice was questionable. She essentially instructed Ruth to do anything Boaz asked her to do…which could have been A-N-Y-THING! On one side this dangerous request meant that Boaz could have his way with Ruth to keep giving them things to survive the hardship. Ah But, Praise God it wasn't, yet it shows how careful we have to be with any advice we've received. We must remember to evaluate the advice received from another by considering their relationship with God. This is very key as the Church today is very worldly and the world is very Churchy. Naomi's spiritual condition in chapter one is far from encouraging. By her own confession, she is bitter and accused God of being harsh with her. THINK: Is the counsel I've been given based on Scripture, or is it the fallible opinion of the adviser? Or based on the whims and caprices of the adviser? These would help in your own decision making as you relate with others. This should also confirm that it's not just the man doing the wooing, the woman has her place and function too.

GODLY CONDUCT IN COMPROMISING SITUATIONS. We all probably read this chapter thinking, 'I hope they don't do what they shouldn't do', but Boaz and Ruth remained Godly in a situation that could have turned into something else. They displayed their strength of character! This reassures us that Godly character can be evident in ungodly settings. We live in a time where ungodliness is everywhere, but we need to be that light, a light that leaves no room for darkness. This is where the danger of adultery and fornication is fought off not by our will but that the purity of heart allows God to set angels to keep us from the excess. It comes to your motive. Is it pure? The act of uncovering Boaz feet was an act of submission. He could rape her or have sex with her. She had done what men ought to do when they kneel to give the ring to the girl asking her to marry him. Many girls do not realize that kneeling down is saying I submit to God first to watch over you and be a shepherd in your life regardless what. Guys too do not realize that this desire to be together culminates in the truest act of worship to God, where the two become One in flesh, and spirit.

BOAZ IS THE STANDARD FOR YOU MEN. It takes a strong God-fearing man to stand firm in the situation Boaz was in. Guys, this is the standard for you and I. You should be the moral leader who protects the purity and reputation of the women you associate yourself with. This is what real manhood is about. Your Ruth will come. Your Ruth will recognize the real Mc'coy and appreciate the Chivalry. It is so lost today that I see girls doing so much to get the attention of men and yet the rate of same sex relationships is heightened today. It is simply because we have dented the atmosphere of wooing each other. Too much is left to thinking and chance. Ruth took deliberate action and even dared say take me under your wing. To make that statement which was a marriage proposal many women would miss out on the wooing journey. Many a man would arrogantly loose this fine opportunity of time and chance. Well this geezer here did not and I sure married her. Almost 24 years later I have absolutely NO Regrets marrying Kyenpiya. She is that missing rib. She compliments me as I compliment her.

Likewise, ladies please don't compromise yourself or God's standards to get attention from a guy. Let the attention you receive from any man, be attention that stems from your inner beauty, character and virtue. Your Boaz will come. Some would say if Ruth she did the sugar daddy thingy. But Boaz said to her you could have gone after younger kinsman redeemer but you picked me. That a woman likes you is the highest form of respect as a man you will ever get. Boaz knew there was someone more qualified. Here is where the true romance of inclusion comes to play... Paul would later tell us that the saved spouse is a cover for the unsaved spouse and that your living as Christ would was a testament that could lead someone to Christ. Boaz protected the integrity of Ruth and then began his plot to truly marry her. Naomi captured it firmly when she told her at the end of this chapter; sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out, for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day of marrying you. You have to put out the best quality of you for that man to want to kill to for you. May God help out children as they relate one to another and may God help each of us in our homes and relationships. Never forget heaven holds your home dare and all that happens therein is an act of worship. Shalom

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