What does awakened hope look like? What does it do? It brings provision! How? Let’s take a look at it.
The feeling of “having nothing to offer” plagues some of us more often than it should. Many have felt this way one time or another. If you’re in this season, your hope may be awakened very soon.
Naomi, was in that type of season until her awakened hope directed her to look out for her daughter-in-law. At this time, she calls Ruth her daughter, saying, “My daughter, should I not try to find a home for you where you will be well provided for?” (Ruth 3: 1) The relationship these two had was amazing. Naomi is not only looking out for her own self but for the future of Ruth.
She is looking for a husband for her. Of course, she mentions Boaz, who is her relative, but no blood relationship to Ruth.
Here’s the plan she gives to Ruth. She tells her to put on her best clothes, spray some perfume and go down to the threshing floor where Boaz will be tonight winnowing.
So what’s winnowing? It’s a necessary process of separating the good grain from the bad grain (chaff). The grain is thrown up into the air, and the good grain will fall down to be gathered and used. The chaff will be blown away by the wind when the winnower throws it up into the air.
Before the grain goes through this process, it came from the threshing floor. Machinery was not available in Biblical days, so they would spread the grain across a flat floor (threshing floor) and bring in the cattle or oxen to crush and break the sheaves apart with their big hooves. If the cattle weren’t used, they would beat the sheaves with a big stick. This might have been a type of therapy for anger-management. Counseling wasn’t available back then.
The threshing floor is symbolic of separating good and evil. It wasn’t unusual for the landowner to be present during this process.
Ruth is a picture of trusting her kinsman-redeemer. She is in need of a provider.
- When we come to Jesus, the Holy Spirit helps us with the separating process of good and bad. Jesus is always involved in this process.
- Our maker is our husband, our Provider.
Naomi sees Ruth’s need for provision, so she sends Ruth to see Boaz. There was no resistance on her part!
Ruth goes down to the threshing floor, as Naomi instructed, and she waits till Boaz is finished eating and drinking after he was in good spirits. We know what that meant. Maybe had a little too much wine? Then she goes and lies down with him, at his feet, after he’s asleep.
Ruth is clearly doing this for the purpose of appealing to Boaz’s obligation as a kinsman. Yes, this action was a request for marriage. A little straight-forward, but of cultural relevance in that day. In today’s world, sleeping at a man’s feet would not be the first priority, and she wouldn’t have to sneak around to do so.
Boaz awakens and she says, “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer.” (Ruth 3: 9)
- Our kinsman-redeemer, Jesus, covers us.
- Her Beloved has awakened her hope and their relationship.
The closest male relative had the primary responsibility to marry the widow, which Ruth was. The next day, Boaz goes up to the town gate and sits down. He waits for the kinsman-redeemer (closest male) in Naomi’s family to come forth and buy the land from Naomi, so that the property is not sold outside of her family line.
When he shows up, he refuses to buy the property thinking it may endanger his own real estate, so he passes it all on to Boaz, the male next in line to receive the property and a wife.
- In the eyes of Jesus, women are no longer property to possess, but His precious beloved bride.
Boaz takes Ruth as his wife and gets the land. They marry and have a son, and they name him Obed, which means, servant of the Lord.
- The Lord’s provision awakens hope.
- The fullness of the harvest season gathers much.
- Much more is received than expected! (Shared from Ruth 3-4, Paraphrased)
Oh, what security and provision we have in our God. He guides and provides. “For this God is our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end.” (Psalm 48: 14)
- He is our great Shepherd King who leads, even when we can’t see where we are headed. Trust Him. (Shared from Psalm 48, Paraphrased)
Paul proclaims hope. He says, “It is because of my hope in what God has promised our Fathers that I am on trial today.” (Acts 26: 6)
- Never lose hope.
- We serve the God of hope.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15: 13)
- Ask the Holy Spirit to awaken hope. (Shared from Acts 26: 1-18, Paraphrased)
UNBROKEN LOVE SERIES
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