The Book of Ruth
Day 5
Harmony: Singing Your Part in the Family Song
Read: Ruth 3:1-18 (same passage as yesterday)
Yesterday, we saw that relationships and a special environment are what make a house a home. As we go a little deeper, let's take a closer look at the relationships of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz. They are so harmonious!
God's design for each role in the family, when each one does his or her part God's way, promotes a secure and happy home life.
Naomi: mother to daughter; older to younger
First, Naomi seeks to make a provision for Ruth's future (like an inheritance) by wisely directing her into a relationship with Boaz. (Ruth 3:1) Naomi seemed to know what Paul taught, "...After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children." (2 Cor. 12:14)
Naomi's example is especially encouraging because even though she didn't have financial resources to provide for her daughter’s future, she was still able to secure it. Instead of money, Naomi used her faith, wisdom, and prayer as 'assets' to connect Ruth to Boaz. There's more than one way to set up an inheritance!
Second, Naomi instructs Ruth how she should approach a man in a courtship or romantic relationship. (Ruth 3:2-3) In her maturity and experience, Naomi sees things about Ruth, Boaz, and their potential relationship that Ruth cannot see herself.
As Paul teaches: "... [the older women] can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands,....' (Titus 2:4-5).
Mothers or fathers shouldn't assume their children will just find their way through romance, courtship, and dating. Their role is to take initiative to candidly and lovingly discuss these things with their children, giving them confidence and security.
This goes with the parent-to-child relationship generally, which is to live and teach God's ways in every area of life so successfully that they are impressed into childrens hearts for the rest of their lives.
(Deuteronomy 6:7)
Ruth: child to parent; woman to man; younger to older
When Ruth says she will "do whatever you say" (Ruth 3:5-6), she honors and respects her mother as her parent and elder person in her life. (Nice words to hear as a parent, huh!)
Ruth shows respect to a man of standing and husband to be (Boaz), expressed not only in her actions but when she presents herself to him as "your servant, Ruth." (Ruth 3:9)
Ruth shows restraint and godliness as a young woman by not running after young men. She is not swept away by the rich ones or naïve about the poor ones. (Ruth 3:10) Instead, she has godly motives and priorities regarding marriage-to please the Lord and her parents.
Exodus 20:12: "Honor your father and your mother...."
Ephesians 6:1: "Children, obey your parents...."
Leviticus 19:32: "Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly...."
Ephesians 5:22: "Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord."
Boaz: man to woman; husband to wife; spouse to parent-in-law
Boaz treats a younger woman (Ruth) as a sister or daughter with absolute purity. He speaks to Ruth as "my daughter" (Ruth 3:10) and respects her privacy and reputation. (Ruth 3:14)
Boaz marries Ruth in a godly process. He commits to marrying her but will first respect the order of kinsman law. And he doesn't take advantage of Ruth the night she is with him. (Ruth 3:11-12)
Boaz respects his mother-in-law to be.
"Don't go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed," he says. (Ruth 3:17)
1 Timothy 5:1-2: "Treat...older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity."
Ephesians 5:25: "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."
1 Peter 3:7: "Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives...."
Why are Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz's relationships so harmonious and happy? Because they are following God's design, His order; they are singing their parts. They are so easy to admire and wish well because they are so good. Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz are doing just what they're supposed to do-like a trio singing their parts in harmony. They make a beautiful song! No one's heart is hurting! Everyone's happy! God is honored!
What is your role in God's family order? How might the Lord be leading you to sing your part more faithfully in your family? The Spirit will give you insight about how to overcome disharmony. God will help your family become a beautiful song for Him!
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Trinity in awesome unity, renew our understanding of the roles we play in our family, give us the grace to obey, heal the hurts of the past, and bring us into harmony so we might sing for you! Amen.