There’s about to be a plot twist.

As we pick up Ruth, chapter three, Ruth has crept in and is laying by Boaz’s feet as he sleeps. He is startled around midnight, and, in the dark, awakens and says “Who are you?” (Ruth 3:9)

Can you imagine the lump Ruth must have had in her throat? Is she wishing she had not heeded Naomi’s advice?

But she manages to say, “I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative.” (Ruth 3:15)

Boaz blesses her and complements her for not chasing after younger men and for her virtue (Ruth 3:10-11)

BUT THEN (plot twist) Boaz says there is a closer relative who has first option to marry Ruth and be her kinsman redeemer.

(This is kind of like a Hallmark movie where the other guy shows up and you just know he isn’t right for the girl. Typically, he’s young and rich, dressed in snazzy suits, but you find yourself rooting for the other guy, in the flannel shirt, who drives the old truck and loves his momma and his dog. But I digress for this isn’t a movie, or a story, this ALL actually happened and, remember, what God brought from this love story changed the world.)

So Boaz, being careful to follow the law, seeks to find the closer relative to see if he will fulfill his kinsman redeemer duties for Ruth.

Boaz sits by the city gate and “behold, the closer relative of whom Boaz had spoken came by.” (Ruth 4:1)

Let’s not forget, Boaz was a man. He was a real person. He was flesh and blood. He had spent time with Ruth. He clearly admired her character and was probably attracted to her youthful beauty.

He could have been thinking as he sat by that gate,”Why open my mouth? Just marry her. I deserve to be happy.”

But being the godly man he was, Boaz followed God’s ways and laws.

He trusted God more than he trusted himself, even being willing to deny himself and his feelings to follow God first!

This! This is the kind of man to look for single friends!

Forget the Bozos who want to go their own way, feed their feelings, and do things like sleep with you before marriage! Choose better! Look for a Boaz.

But everyone, no matter the situation, anytime you choose feelings over faith, anytime you go your way over God’s way, you are going the way of trouble, pain and heartache. (Read that again)

Oh it may look good, and feel good at first; but as one of Boaz’s wise descendants will be inspired to write one day, “ But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” (James 1:14-15)

So, if you were thinking of going your way over God’s way, if you are tempted to give in to your feelings over your faith, here’s your sign! DON’T DO IT FRIEND!!

“Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the Lord,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.“ (Isa 40:28-31)

So, what does Boaz do when the “other guy” walks by? We will talk about that tomorrow!

God’s Word is so good!

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