Ruth 3: The Proposal
(stream of consciousness with words from Tim Chaddick, the Civil Wars and Blue Valentine)
Each person should pursue the other in their own way. Initiative needs to be taken. If one person is doing all the work, they will always be doing all the work (Blue Valentine?) If these intentions are not apparent, they need to be. Ruth and Boaz show initiative and humility, and that their intentions are rooted in things way beyond themselves. They will also come to fruition in ways they could never imagine – in the family line of Jesus Christ.
“We must be defined by our faith and not by our past.” Ruth is not deterred by her widow status or her lowly place in society as a foreigner; why? Because she was perfectly justified through her faith in God. As a side note, this is the first thing Boaz sees in her.
Problems must be faced with righteousness in accordance to God’s law. Only then can there be true intimacy and security. By the grace of God we can love what we SHOULD do. In the face of these problems there must also be a commitment based on faith.
SO here’s the good news: Jesus has done all this for us. He fulfilled the law and he did it right. His righteousness protects not only himself but ourselves from condemnation and accusation. Jesus did not cut corners, he did as God asked so that we were perfectly justified.
AND WHERE DOES IMPATIENCE COME IN?
1. If you really want something to happen so you’re pushing regardless of whether the other person shows initiative, not only will this never change but you will always be trying to earn something that cannot be earned.
2. Righteousness is not the easy/quick fix. We have to do things right without cutting corners. If Boaz had made the easy choice he still would have reached his end goal which was admirable, yes, and the right thing to do BUT he would have arrived at it by dismissing his culture, forsaking his family and compromising his reputation and Ruth’s. He did it the right way though he risked losing Ruth.
3. We have to walk the line between initiative and humility; a balance of both. Do not just take what is laid in front of you or fight for something that shouldn’t be because “you deserve it.” Be justified in your faith and your righteousness, not a false confidence or sense of entitlement.
Oh I’ve got this friend
A loveless romantic
All that he really wants
Is someone to want him back
I’ve got this friend
I don’t think you know her
She sings a simple song
It sounds a lot like his
Oh I’ve got this friend
Holding onto her heart
Like it’s a little secret
Like it’s all she’s got to give
Ohh, if the right one came
If the right one came along
Ohh, if the right one came, along
It’d be such a shame
(If they never meet)
She sounds lovely
(He sounds right out of a dream)
If only
(If only)
If only
-The Civil Wars “I’ve Got This Friend”
How’s it happen that such a pretty girl likes LOTR, Horror movies, God, and every other great thing under the sun and moon?! This is excellent, especially the tie in of the song lyrics.