Ruth 3:5 And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.
Ruth 3:6 And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her.
Ruth is an unusual person. Naomi had given her some very specific instructions. These instructions were not only detailed, but required a combination of boldness and humility. Yet Ruth merely replies, All that thou sayest unto me I will do. How many of us would be able to do that? Do you remember another time when that sentence was used?
Exodus 19:7 And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him.
19:8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.
How many who made that statement actually kept that promise? We can be full of promises, and many times we have very good intentions when we make them. Yet how many end up in the pile labeled, unfulfilled? It is good not to make very many promises, as the history of the human race is filled with broken ones: and we are humans. Someone has said that the smallest deed is better than the grandest intention. Now there is something worth remembering.
If Ruth could be marked by one character trait, it might be faithfulness. Ruth was good on her word. What she said, she did. She fulfilled her purpose. But mark this as well: the purpose that became hers was not of herself. What moved her to do what she did came from someone other than herself. She was moved by her love for old widow. She did what the old widow told her to do. How small and insignificant is that?
People talk of having vision, and move to fulfill their vision. They work hard, and move others as well, to enable their vision to become a reality. Entire cities have been built. Empires have risen. Armies have been raised. And much of it in the name of God. How mighty and awesome they appear to the human eye!
Of cities, we are told that they will be thrown down. Of this world's armies, they will be defeated. The empires and kingdoms of this world will crumble. And Jesus praises an otherwise unknown widow, who tosses two mites into the coffer. God tells the story of an othewise unknown family, whose men died, leaving their women destitute. And out of death and despair, He elevates some woman of a people not chosen. God glorifies Ruth.
Ruth 3:6 And she went down
In order to carry out her promise, Ruth had to descend. She had to go down. Lowering one's self is normally not a desireable thing. Yet it is a requirement. One who magnifies self cannot be said to be truly submitted to the Master.
Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
How much has been done, and proclaimed to be for the glory of God? How much has been done, and proclaimed to be for the glory of Jesus Christ? Yet all of it through strife and vainglory. Not too very long ago one claimed that in a vision, Jesus Christ Himself told him to build a city of faith. It closed down before it was completed. The buildings are there, but they belong to someone else now. Vainglory.
How great the vision! How awesome the buildings! And Jesus says, Do you see that widow? (Luke 21:2-3)
Ruth not only saw the widow, she served the widow. And in doing so, she had to descend a little lower than most of us would be willing. Do you see Jesus?
Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Ruth 3:6 And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
Finding Rest: All that thou sayest unto me I will do.
Finding Rest: All that thou sayest unto me I will do.
Ruth 3:1 Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?
3:2 And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.
3:3 Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.
3:4 And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.
3:5 And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.
It is Naomi's desire that Ruth rest from her labors. Ruth had already demonstrated her faithfulness to Naomi. Ruth placed Naomi's concerns above her own, and cared for her.
Who knows of the young men that Ruth had met among the reapers? Who knows what potential futures she sacrificed? Ruth certainly had her own will, and probably let that slip out a little:
Ruth 2:21 And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.
Yet her mother-in-law gave her different advice.
Ruth 2:22 And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens
And though Ruth had her own desires, she obeyed.
Ruth 2:23 So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.
Now, Ruth is given more directions as to what she should do. When we read this story, is there not a progression? There is: and on more than one front. Ruth has been more than obedient. She has been submissive.
One may be obedient in doing what he/she is commanded to do, yet still maintain rebellion in the heart. Submission, on the other hand, goes beyond mere obedience. Submission is a surrender of the will. It carries with it an idea of weakness. Ruth was submissive to Naomi. In one sense, we might say that Ruth was weak and Naomi was strong in their relationship.
And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.
Ruth's obedience to Naomi's every command is a result of a submission that took place long before.
Ruth 1:14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
1:15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.
1:16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
1:17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
It was Ruth's submission and commitment to Naomi's welfare that led her to work in the fields: by her own desire and without commandment to be obedient. She did good without being told to do so. No command requiring obedience, but simple submission born out of love. Is there even a comparison?
Ruth 2:2 And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.
Ruth submitted herself to Naomi. She was committed to Naomi's welfare. When Ruth went out into the fields, Naomi was magnified. Ruth brought honor to herself by her conduct, and that reflected back on the house of Naomi. When she returned home, Naomi was glorified. Ruth brought in more than what was expected.
In all things Ruth had already proven herself. Now for the progression. Naomi has some specifics for Ruth to do. It requires some boldness. It requires submission at a new and different level. It will not be easy and will require preparation. There is an element of risk.
But is that not how God works with all of those He desires to conform to the image of His Son? Jesus was born to a single purpose. He lived His life in preparation for that purpose. Do you think it will be any different for you?
1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
Maybe you are still in preparation, but know your calling. Are you submissive to your King or are you just obedient to a Law? Submission will take you places mere obedience cannot begin to fathom.
But understand the preparation and progression in your own life. Your time will come. And the end result is REST. But it will not be without willingly becoming weak that He may be strong. It will not come without trusting Him over that fear because of what is at risk. It will not come without humility. But when it becomes your turn, will you be able to answer your King as Ruth said to Naomi:
All that thou sayest unto me I will do.
Ruth 3:1 Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?
3:2 And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.
3:3 Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.
3:4 And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.
3:5 And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.
It is Naomi's desire that Ruth rest from her labors. Ruth had already demonstrated her faithfulness to Naomi. Ruth placed Naomi's concerns above her own, and cared for her.
Who knows of the young men that Ruth had met among the reapers? Who knows what potential futures she sacrificed? Ruth certainly had her own will, and probably let that slip out a little:
Ruth 2:21 And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.
Yet her mother-in-law gave her different advice.
Ruth 2:22 And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens
And though Ruth had her own desires, she obeyed.
Ruth 2:23 So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.
Now, Ruth is given more directions as to what she should do. When we read this story, is there not a progression? There is: and on more than one front. Ruth has been more than obedient. She has been submissive.
One may be obedient in doing what he/she is commanded to do, yet still maintain rebellion in the heart. Submission, on the other hand, goes beyond mere obedience. Submission is a surrender of the will. It carries with it an idea of weakness. Ruth was submissive to Naomi. In one sense, we might say that Ruth was weak and Naomi was strong in their relationship.
And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.
Ruth's obedience to Naomi's every command is a result of a submission that took place long before.
Ruth 1:14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
1:15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.
1:16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
1:17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
It was Ruth's submission and commitment to Naomi's welfare that led her to work in the fields: by her own desire and without commandment to be obedient. She did good without being told to do so. No command requiring obedience, but simple submission born out of love. Is there even a comparison?
Ruth 2:2 And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.
Ruth submitted herself to Naomi. She was committed to Naomi's welfare. When Ruth went out into the fields, Naomi was magnified. Ruth brought honor to herself by her conduct, and that reflected back on the house of Naomi. When she returned home, Naomi was glorified. Ruth brought in more than what was expected.
In all things Ruth had already proven herself. Now for the progression. Naomi has some specifics for Ruth to do. It requires some boldness. It requires submission at a new and different level. It will not be easy and will require preparation. There is an element of risk.
But is that not how God works with all of those He desires to conform to the image of His Son? Jesus was born to a single purpose. He lived His life in preparation for that purpose. Do you think it will be any different for you?
1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
Maybe you are still in preparation, but know your calling. Are you submissive to your King or are you just obedient to a Law? Submission will take you places mere obedience cannot begin to fathom.
But understand the preparation and progression in your own life. Your time will come. And the end result is REST. But it will not be without willingly becoming weak that He may be strong. It will not come without trusting Him over that fear because of what is at risk. It will not come without humility. But when it becomes your turn, will you be able to answer your King as Ruth said to Naomi:
All that thou sayest unto me I will do.
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