Good morning!
The book of Ruth is coming to an end quickly!
Ruth chapter 3. Don't Plug Your Ears
I have noticed in these first three chapters of Ruth that Naomi is greatly loved and respected by Ruth and Naomi gives Ruth great wisdom and insight.
Naomi has insight and wisdom to give Ruth in regards to Boaz. Naomi has insight and understanding of what Boaz is possibly going through and even thinking.
I love Ruth's heart because she is so obedient and open to the wisdom and insight of Naomi and Boaz.
We all need each other and cannot let pride stand between us and the wisdom and insight of others. I have gained insight for Ministry and Life choices from all kinds of people:
- My wife (a lot).
- People who are my subordinates (co-workers, campers, people in the community).
- The elderly.
- Senior pastor.
- Committee members.
- Board members.
- People who are typically a thorn in my flesh.
God uses all kinds of people to speak truth into our lives and give us wisdom and insight for our situations.
We need the right attitude in life when it comes to gaining wisdom. The moment we have OUR AGENDA, is the moment we need to be aware of the fact God may change things through the words of a friend, wife or really anyone, even someone we totally unexpected. PRIDE could be our biggest enemy if we let it stifle what God is trying to do through someone for us. We have to be willing to swallow our pride and prayerfully consider and evaluate the insight and wisdom of another person. There's a lot that can be gained by others.
- Is my heart open to hear the words of others or
- Am I two dead set on my own thinking that I'm quick to close my ears to the words of another?
I’ve noticed recently that it has been challenging for me to accept advice from my own children. My thinking has been that they are my children so they are supposed to listen to me. Honoring our parents is one of the Ten Commandments. Parents make decisions together and the kids are supposed to obey according to Ephesians 6:1, but as my children grow older, I realize that they also have valuable input and insight that I don’t want to ignore. They are close to me and know me well so I should always be open to what they have to say. I also want them to know that they can always come to talk with me about anything and that I value their opinions. I guess it just feels somewhat weird to me as we shift in our relationship. They don’t need Mommy or Daddy to hold their hands to cross the street anymore, but I have to accept the fact that maybe someday they will be making choices for me like what nursing home will I be living at. That might seem like a joke now, but it could be a reality someday.
I thought of a couple of verses from the book of Proverbs that relate to listening to advice.
Proverbs 12:15
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.”
Proverbs 19:20
“Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.”
Today’s ApologetiX song is called Keep On Loving Ruth, a parody of Keep on Loving You.
https://youtu.be/tftFYCdVV30
In that day, it was Israelite custom for a servant to lie at the feet of his master and share his covering. On this night, Boaz was protecting his harvest while waiting his turn on the shared threshing floor. By following this custom, Ruth was (unknowingly) letting Boaz know that he could be her kinsman-redeemer – he could find someone to marry her or marry her himself. I’m reminded that Boaz is the son of Rahab, a former prostitute. I’m reminded that our Redeemer can use anyone of us to bring Him glory if we will just let Him. We need to sit at His feet. Lord, do what You want to do; be glorified in this; and have Your way this day.
Ruth is very, very faithful. Both to Naomi and then to Boaz. It could’ve been easier for her to follow her own agenda, but she chose to stay loyal and faithful to those whom she loved and felt called by God to be with. I am laughing a little because the famous verse from the first chapter “I will go where you go”, I had always thought was between a man and a woman. Sometimes it’s said at weddings, or used at a celebration for a couple. What I love about this bible study is all that I’m learning. I never would’ve known that verse was a conversation between a mother and daughter in law!