Preparing to Meet the Master
Ruth 3:1-6
We can’t begin to imagine the excitement Ruth and Naomi must’ve felt at this time. Moab had dealt very bitterly with them, leaving little hope for the future. Upon returning to Bethlehem, God had shown Himself mighty in their situation and was providentially caring for them.
Ruth found herself gleaning in the field of Boaz, where she found abundance and blessing. We don’t know exactly how much time had passed, but she had enjoyed several days in the field. The harvest was now ending and a time of anticipation was drawing near. Ruth had gotten acquainted with Boaz, but that is all it was as this point. Naomi knew the benefit of a relationship with Boaz and she wanted Ruth to prepare herself for a personal encounter with him.
Keep in mind that Boaz is a picture or type of our Lord. Certainly there is great benefit in meeting and knowing the Lord in a personal way. These verses reveal Ruth’s preparation to meet Boaz. I want to consider her preparations and the relevance it has for those who come to Christ as we think on: Preparing to Meet the Master.
I. The Purpose of the Meeting (1) – Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee? We discover the purpose in meeting with Boaz centered upon rest. It implies much more than a physical rest after a hard day of labor. It speaks of “a resting place, a place of settled security and stability, a permanent home, a place of provision and protection.” Keep that in mind as we consider:
A. The Need for Rest – At this time the harvest was coming to an end. Ruth had been blessed to glean in the field of Boaz, but soon there would be no more grain to glean. She needed the assurance of rest, a place of provision and security for the weeks and months to come. They did not have enough to sustain them after the harvest had ended.
Many today are looking to this world to afford that rest. It seems as if they are doing quite well right now. They have all that they need as far as they can see. Most don’t consider that the harvest will soon be over and we will all stand before the Lord. All who have ever lived need the rest of Christ. Heb.4:9 – There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. [11] Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
B. The Nature of Rest – Keep in mind the principle of rest. It involves a home, a place of provision and protection. Ruth was a widow from Moab – a Gentile whom most would not even consider providing rest. Boaz was her only hope. He was the only one who could provide the rest that she so desperately needed. She needed a proposal of marriage from Boaz.
There are those today who need to understand the nature of rest. Sinners, like Ruth, need to find a place of provision, security, and stability. They need to find peace within their soul. Christ the Lord is the only one who has the ability to provide that rest. He is mankind’s only hope of rest and redemption. Apart from Christ there is no rest, only separation and condemnation.
II. The Potential of the Meeting (2a) – And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? As we’ve already considered, Boaz qualified as a kinsman redeemer. It would have done Ruth no good to depend upon one who could not redeem. Consider the significance of Boaz.
A. His Relationship – In order to qualify as a kinsman redeemer, the man had to be willing to redeem, but he also was required to be a kinsman. Boaz qualified as a near kinsman. Christ our Lord took on the form of a man, robed in a body of flesh. He came to this earth, living a perfect, sinless life as a Spirit filled Man. He has the right relationship to perform the part of our Redeemer. We can be accepted into the family of God because of our relationship to Christ.
B. His Resources – Boaz was a mighty man of wealth, Chp.2:1. The kinsman had to be willing, but he also had to be able. He had to possess the resources necessary to redeem the debt the needy party owed. Consider the debt we owed as sinners. We were separated from God, condemned in our sin, unable to achieve the righteous demands of a holy God. Had Christ not been willing to offer Himself as the Atonement for our sin, we would yet be without hope. He alone possessed what was necessary to purchase our redemption!
C. His Recognition – We have already discovered how Boaz took an interest in Ruth. He noticed her the first time she showed up in the field. He made provision for her. He provided protection. He allowed her to eat at his table. He charged the servants to leave handfuls of purpose for her. Boaz not only recognized her need, he took an interest in providing for her.
We all have times when we feel all alone. We have times when it appears no one understands or cares about our need. We have seasons where it seems as if we will never make it through our struggle. It may seem dark, but there is One who is aware of our situation and He has the ability to meet our need. He doesn’t just see and understand our situation; He chooses to become actively involved. He gave His life upon the cross so that we might live. He loves us too much to neglect us. He is there whether we see or know it.
III. The Place of the Meeting (2b) – Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor. Naomi knew Boaz could be found at the threshing-floor, winnowing the barley that had been harvested. This was a significant place that has a profound application. A threshing floor was usually a raised platform built on a hill either out of hard clay or bedrock. The grain was separated from the stalk by beating the sheaves with a rod or by using an ox to trample the sheaves by pulling a cartwheel around the floor. Once the grain and husk had been separated, they were thrown up into the breeze. The breeze would blow the lighter husk away while the heavier grain fell to the floor.
Christ our Lord was offered up as the Sacrifice for sin upon the hill of Calvary. He was beaten and scourged prior to the crucifixion. He bore the sins of humanity, feeling the pressure of the heavy weight. Ruth had to go to the threshing-floor to meet Boaz. We too must come to the threshingfloor of our Lord. The sin and impurities of our lives must be separated and cast away. After salvation, often storms are used to blow away the chaff to reveal the true grain.
IV. The Preparation for the Meeting (3-4) – In these verses we find the instruction Naomi gave Ruth concerning her preparation to meet Boaz. If we hope to find ourselves at the feet of Jesus, we must make preparation.
A. Preparation Involves Cleansing (3) – Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking. Ruth was instructed to wash herself and anoint her body with sweet smelling perfume. Naomi wanted to make sure Ruth was clean and presentable. She wanted Ruth to smell good for Boaz.
Cleansing is an essential part of salvation. When we come to Christ in faith, we are cleansed in His precious blood. The sins we have committed are washed away and we are made pure in Him. We then are filled with the Holy Spirit, anointed of God.
As we travel this Christian journey, sin may fill our hearts again. If we are to enjoy sweet fellowship at the feet of our Lord we must get cleaned up. We must deal with the sin in our lives, seeking forgiveness and forsaking sin. When we live a life that honors God, it is a sweet smelling savor to Him. I want my life to produce a pleasant odor rather than the stench of sin.
B. Preparation Involves Clothing (3) – Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee… Ruth had come from Moab wearing the garments of a widow. Her attire revealed her desperation. While in Bethlehem she had worn the garments of a servant. Neither of these would do when it came to a personal meeting with Boaz. Ruth had to wear the very best she had.
I’m glad that the Lord provides a new garment for those who come to Him. We lay aside the garment of sin and death and are robed in the righteousness of God. There is something to be said about how Ruth presented herself to Boaz. We are robed in the righteousness of Christ at salvation, but we must guard against having our garment spotted by the world. We ought to desire to please Him every time we enter His presence.
C. Preparation Involves Confidence (3b-4) – Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking. [4] And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do. Ruth didn’t question Naomi in regard to Boaz’s ability. She was confident he was able to provide for her. We need that same confidence in Christ. Our faith doesn’t make Him Lord or change who He is, but it sure helps in the journey!
D. Preparation Involves Commitment (4b) – Ruth was told to lie down at the feet of Boaz and wait for his instruction. He will tell thee what thou shalt do. Ruth had to be patient and submissive. She was not there to make demands or force herself upon him. She was there to do as he commanded.
We too must be committed to the will of God. At times, we must wait at His feet. Often we must be patient while waiting upon the Lord. He doesn’t always speak as often as we would like, but His way is always best. We must learn to wait and listen for a word from the Master!
V. The Participation in the Meeting (5-6) – And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do. [6] And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her. This may sound silly, but it is profound. If there was to be a meeting with Boaz, Ruth had to show up for the meeting. She had to go where he was. She had to be a willing participant in the meeting.
I am convinced the Lord desires to meet with us far more often than we do. In Fact, He desires to meet with us on a regular basis, but many fail to show up. We may come to His house, a place where He is known to be, and never really come to meet with Him. I want to make it a point to be in my place, seeking to meet with the Master.
Conclusion: There was much at stake as Ruth prepared to meet with Boaz. Quite literally her future depended upon this meeting. She was careful in her preparation and found herself at the feet of Boaz.
We too need to make the necessary preparations to meet the Lord. If you have never met Him in salvation, He stands waiting for you. Christian we need to prepare ourselves to meet with the Lord as well. Why not come to the Lord? He is ready to meet with us if we will find our place near Him.
