Change of Plans

Naomi coaches Ruth to ask Boaz to marry her (“spread the corner of your garment over me” - was an ancient way of proposing). Ruth follows Naomi’s coaching, but then adds a whole new level to it. She not only proposes to Boaz (which breaks all sorts of cultural norms) - she goes so much further. She calls him to become who he could be at his very best. Listen in on the conversation when Boaz wakes up in the middle of the night to find a woman at his uncovered feet.

“Who are you?” Boaz asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family.” - Ruth 3:9

Ruth replies to the question, “Who are you?” by turning it back on Boaz - telling him who he is (because he’s obviously forgotten). Naomi never mentioned that she should bring in the ‘guardian-redeemer’ piece into this proposal - that was a bridge too far. But not for Ruth! She goes for it all.

The guardian-redeemer was an Old Testament Law that said a brother should marry his deceased brother’s wife to have children by her so the deceased brother’s land and name would continue on. Well, Ruth, fully knowing that Boaz was not her or Naomi’s dead husbands’ brother, proposes that Boaz steps up and honor the spirit of the law and to care for his family.

While Boaz is asking “Who are you?” with curiosity Ruth is asking right back “Well, who are YOU?” but with challenge - because she knows he could risk more to do right by Naomi in particular. She knows Boaz is not living up to his character and his calling and to God’s deepest intentions for human flourishing.

Who is it in your life who doesn’t always ‘play by the rules’ but instead challenges you to step up in radical ways to become more of your true self, the self God designed you to be? How might you play that role in someone else’s life this week? How might the Spirit of Jesus be playing that role for you even today?