‏ Ruth 3:1

Naomi Seeks Rest for Ruth

In the fifty days that Ruth has been near Boaz, Boaz has told her nothing about his love for her. It was neither the time nor the opportunity for it. Ruth must initiate it. He waits, as it were, for her to call upon his grace. Grace is present, but she only will receive it and it will only be experienced when she appeals to it. In addition, Boaz can’t ask her to become his wife, because there is another redeemer closer than he is. The law also states that it is forbidden for a member of God’s people to marry a Moabitess (Deu 23:3).

This means that everything comes back to the basis of grace. If this is appealed to, grace will prevail. We see that, in a wonderful way, expressed in the appeal of a Canaanite woman to the Lord Jesus for the sake of her daughter (Mt 15:21-28). Whosoever comes to God in this way is heard by Him.

Naomi knows that for Ruth, there is only one way to get “security”, literally “rest”, and that is when she marries the right man. Therefore, she is now taking the initiative, while in chapter 2 Ruth is taking the initiative to provide food (Rth 2:2). The rest that Naomi is looking for is that Ruth will marry Boaz and find rest in her own house, her own family with children.

Earlier she had desired for Ruth another rest, but that was when she had wanted to send her back to Moab with the inappropriate wish that Ruth would find rest in the house of a Moabite man (Rth 1:9). If Ruth had listened to her then, she would never have known Boaz and would have continued to serve the idols of Moab instead of being brought into contact with the true God, the God of Israel.

A practical lesson can be learned in view of the desire and seeking for a spouse. It is important to learn the will of the Lord in this, trusting Him that He knows who suits whom. Whoever does his own will in these things will not find rest in marriage, but unrest. Marriage is meant as an oasis of rest, despite the activity that can be present, especially if there are several children to raise and care for. Yet the man who follows the will of God in this finds the inner peace that God has connected to marriage.

It is important that parents seek this rest for their children, as Naomi does here for Ruth. Parents’ selfishness can lead them to seek a good partner for their child, i.e. someone with whom they can show off without thinking about the source of unrest they may create for their child.

Another remark in connection with current events is that finding rest in one’s own house is not in keeping with the generally present urge of wives to have a job in society. Here too, whoever follows the will of God will find true satisfaction.

The wish that “it may be well” with someone is also found in the law and in the commandment for the children to honor their parents (Deu 5:16). Paul cites this commandment in the letter to the Ephesians, emphasizing that it is the only commandment that is not followed by a punishment in case of transgression, but that it is “the first commandment with a promise”. This promise is that it may be well with the child who honors his parents (Eph 6:2-3).

Copyright information for KingComments