Crossing Cultural Norms

This is an unusual passage of scripture, but it’s the one we read on Sunday and it’s worth thinking about today. Naomi is looking out for Ruth by trying to provide a husband for her so that she wouldn’t be a poor widow all her life. But Naomi is breaking all the rules.

Here are a couple of things to bear in mind as you read this passage:

• As in most cultures, it was the responsibility of the man to propose marriage.

• One way to propose was to use your garment to cover a woman who you wanted to marry.

One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided for. Now Boaz, with whose women you have worked, is a relative of ours. Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do.” - Ruth 3:2-4

Naomi’s plan is to help Boaz to realize what is right in front of him - namely a good and noble woman to marry - by having Ruth uncover his feet and lie down next to them as a way of saying, “Please cover me with your garment.” She’s asking Ruth to propose to Boaz!

Can you think of a time when you boldly and intentionally went against the cultural norms for a higher cause? How did it feel to be so risky? Was it worth it?

Talk with Jesus today about taking risks to cross cultural norms for the sake of the kingdom of God.