Day 16: Ruth 3:10-13 - A Woman of Noble Character

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.”

It becomes clear that Boaz is interested in Ruth, but true to the character of Boaz, he wants to do the right thing. He doesn’t want to shortcut God’s way to get his way. He doesn’t take advantage of the position he is in.

Boaz reminds us again of the noble character of Ruth…something that now the entire town also recognizes.
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Though we may feel out of place where we find ourselves, our character can outshine our circumstances. How we live and what we do makes a difference. Stepping into God’s open doors and walking through them – doing the work – makes a difference.

But we discover what feels like a little kink in this perfectly ordained plan. There is another relative closer than Boaz. This closer relative has the first opportunity to step up as guardian-redeemer to marry Ruth.

Just as things seem to be going smoothly according to plan, now Ruth and Naomi must wait for the decision of another. God’s ways and God’s timing are different than ours. The trajectory of how we want things to go doesn’t always line up with God’s more perfect path.

For now, they must wait.

How hard is it for you to wait? To trust God’s plan and timing?

What do you do when your plans seem like they are falling apart or obstacles are getting in the way?