Year 4, Day 285: Ruth 3

Theological Commentary: Click Here 

Discipleship Focus: Challenge, Invitation

• Challenge: God does not merely wish us to be in relationship with Him as we are.  He challenges us to grow, stretch, and transform as we take on the mantle of being His representatives to this world.
• Invitation: God is always inviting us into relationship with Him. He desires that we know Him and that we know His desire for us.

A few days ago I was pretty harsh on Naomi.  That part of the story wasn’t her shining moment.  But here in chapter 3 Naomi gets it right and it is marvelous to behold.  Naomi correctly calibrates challenge and invitation with Ruth.

Let’s take a look at what Naomi does.  Naomi senses that it is time for Ruth to move along, find a new husband, and find God’s provision for her in her life.  This doesn’t mean Naomi is pushing Ruth out of her life; Naomi is just prodding her into God’s calling.  Naomi does this through challenge and invitation.

Look at the huge amount of challenge that Naomi puts in Ruth’s life.  Here’s what Naomi essentially says to Ruth.  First, go find that man you just met.  Then wait for him to fall asleep.  Then uncover his feet and lay there.  When he wakes up, put yourself at his mercy and listen to whatever he has to say.

Talk about challenge!  Imagine putting yourself in Ruth’s position.  Could you do that?  Do you have the obedience within you?  Do you have the trust within you?  Do you have the faithfulness within you?  How would you have responded to that challenge?

But Naomi also gives her invitation.  She comforts Ruth and tells her than Boaz is a kind man and a kinsman redeemer.  Naomi puts Ruth in a place for success, not a place for failure.  Naomi comforts Ruth after the fact saying that Boaz is a man of his word and he will take care of the situation on that very day.

Chapter three is a wonderful chapter where we see challenge and invitation being calibrated quite well.  In this chapter, Naomi is the star mentor.  Naomi does a great job at putting God’s character on display within these words.

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