Taking Notice

You ever feel like God is against you? You know, when everything seems to be going the wrong way and nothing you do seems to work out right. It becomes easy to think that God doesn’t want us to be happy and must have forgotten about us.

This is easily how Ruth might have felt in chapter 2. Her husband died, her father-in-law died, her sister-in-law left, and her mother-in-law is struggling with her own depression and doubt, and she is moving to a foreign land. No job, no husband, no money, only faith that God will get them through. Yet Ruth, is holding fast to her new faith in the God of the Bible, the God of Naomi.

Ruth did not allow her present circumstances to shape her character, instead she allowed her faith in God to mold her into a woman of God.

She sticks with Naomi and sets about seeking a way to provide for her and Naomi. Now the Law of Moses had provision for the poor and widows by commanding the land owners to leave behind the harvest some grain for the poor to gather. It “just so happened” that she gathered in Boaz’s field.

Taking Notice

Unbeknownst to Ruth, Boaz is a relative of Naomi, a Kinsman Redeemer, and he takes notice of Ruth. Now, Boaz takes “notice” of Ruth. You know, wink wink, he noticed her. The type of notice when you walk into the room and you see him or her for the first time and your like, “wow!”

Boaz, asked his helpers who Ruth was and then went over immediately and began to talk with her. Boaz told her that she should only glean in his fields and he will protect her and provide for her.

Now this doesn’t make any sense culturally. The land owner shows grace and mercy to a foreign widow. But romance doesn’t always make sense. His attraction provoked him to action.

“Why have you shown me such kindness?” Ruth asks. Boaz’ reply shows us so much about his attraction for her. “The way you have cared for your mother-in-law and moved away from your family, may the Lord repay you for what you have done, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”

Physical Attraction

When it comes to dating and romance, physical attraction is important, but it is not everything. In this story, Boaz noticed Ruth’s beauty which provoked him to ask questions about her and observer her character, but her physical beauty was not the main reason he pursued her. Physical beauty if fleeting and deceiving. Don’t get caught up in what society, media and Hollywood tells you is beautiful. The magazine images that are portrayed are unrealistic and photo shopped. It may be an initial spark, but make sure you follow Boaz’s example and begin to ask questions to see if your attraction is tied to someone of character.

Character Attraction

Boaz response tells Ruth that he has heard and seen what she is willing to do for her mother-in-law. Most people would have gone back to their families: Ruth did not. Not only did Ruth come with Naomi, but she is providing and caring for her. This showed her character as a woman with a servant’s heart. She wasn’t entitled or snobbish, but loving and caring.

Spiritual Attraction

But beyond that, Boaz took notice of her faith. “Under whose wings you have sought refuge,” is what he pointed out. He saw a woman who turned away from her past life, from the gods of her family and her land, and has embraced the one true God. Her faith was attractive!

For a believer in Jesus Christ, there should be nothing more attractive then the evidence of faith in Jesus in another person. You should not allow yourself to get attached or pursue someone who is not pursuing Jesus.

Waiting On God

We began with Ruth and Naomi in a pretty bad place and everything seemingly against them. It could have been easy for them to give up and think that God was against them. Yet Ruth was faithful and continued to develop her faith and character by trusting God for her future.

When Ruth came back from the field and told Naomi that she was gleaning in Boaz’s field, Naomi rejoiced! This was more then a coincidence, but God’s providence. For the first time in a long time, Naomi experienced a glimmer of hope. Naomi new Boaz was family and a potential Kinsman Redeemer and encourages Ruth to go back to his fields.

The chapter ends without developing anything more then an attraction between Ruth and Boaz. We see Boaz observed Ruth’s character and he made provision for her, but months have gone by and nothing else is happening.

Girls, guys can be dumb sometimes. But be patient. We aren’t at the end of the story yet and there is some great things coming, but there is a lot of good to learn from this.

Being attracted to someone does not mean you should jump into a relationship. Getting good answers to your questions does not mean you should jump into a relationship. Even when everything seems right on paper doesn’t mean you should begin a relationship. Wait on God on His time. Be obedient in the small things and do not allow your present circumstance to cause you to give up on your faith. Know that God is working.

I like learning from Boaz. He found a girl he was attracted to, found out she was a godly woman of good character, and he gave space to observe her life to see if she was sincere. In a day and age where we have so much of us on the internet, it’s hard to determine what is real or not. We live in a “your way right away” “microwave” culture. We want everything right now. Relationships are not something to just jump into, but something that needs time to develop properly.

So far, Ruth’s story shows us that life doesn’t always go the way we think it will. Life can be hard, relationships can be disappointing, but we should never give up. Ruth is a woman of character and faith. She abandon’s her former life, not allowing the sins of the past to define her future, and she trusts in God. Her faith in God causes her to live a life of faith that is evident to those around her. God is working through the pain and the difficulties to bring her to a place to meet Boaz, God’s provision for her.

God’s call on your life is to be faithful. Trust Him in all things and especially in relationships. He is a relational God who loves you and desires your best. Don’t rush into things, but prayerfully wait on Him and observe those around you. He will provide for all your needs according to His riches in glory!