Put On Your Best Garment

Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek security[a] for you, that it may be well with you? Now Boaz, whose young women you were with, is he not our relative? In fact, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. Ruth 3:1-3

This chapter actually talks about Ruth's marriage proposal. The bride (Ruth) was not aware about who the bridegroom was, but she was dressed in her best clothes to lie down at the feet of the kinsman redeemer. Even Boaz was not aware of his marriage proposal. The threshing floor was an unusual place for a marriage proposal, and the bride and groom were unaware of their marriage proposal. It was orchestrated by Naomi. When you compare Naomi to the Holy Spirit, you will notice that the Holy Spirit orchestrates events between Jesus and you in such a beautiful way that it surprises both you and Jesus. Like Boaz was startled to find Ruth at his feet, the Holy Spirit inspires you to do things that lead you to find and startle (or surprise) Jesus. Sometimes the Holy Spirit uses unusual places and events to help you get to know Jesus better.

This chapter describes about the divine providence orchestrated by the Holy Spirit. Ruth was dressed in her best clothes as if she were going to a marriage proposal, but instead went to an un-invited party to lie down at the feet of a Kinsmen redeemer. It was late night proposal at a threshing floor. It was a late-night marriage proposal at a threshing floor.

Ruth had the option of directly approaching the Kinsmen redeemer, but instead she chose to be at the mercy of Boaz and remind him. Ruth follows the advice of Naomi, wears the best garments, goes to the threshing floor, when Boaz went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came softly, uncovered his feet, and lies down at the feet of Boaz late at night. Her reputation was at stake if someone sees her late night at the threshing floor and at Boaz’s feet. She fully and blindly trusted Naomi. Boaz was startled to see Ruth at his feet. Ruth belonged to a culture similar to our own. Ruth was lying at Boaz’s feet for the entire night. That was the last night she was single before her marriage was finalised. Boaz was startled by Ruth's acts of lying down at his feet, prompting him to take immediate action as Kinsmen redeemer. One night at the feet of Kinsman redeemer changed Ruth’s life forever. How much more would it benefit us if we also spent one night at the feet of Jesus. How many turning points would we have if we spent our nights at Jesus' feet?

Many times, we also find ourselves in situations where we don’t know what to do next. Ask the Holy Spirit to point the direction to lie down at Jesus' feet, and from there, Jesus will instruct you what you should do. You don't know what your next steps are, but Jesus surely knows what your next steps are as He is your Kinsmen redeemer, and he will take the necessary steps to marry or bless or heal you (depending on your need).

As a young person, if you are struggling to get married or no one (parents or relatives) is searching a proposal for you. The best thing you can do is - put on your best garments and lie down at Jesus' feet. Put on your best garments means - to prepare yourself for marriage by learning what needs to be done for good married life and then lie down at Jesus' feet. Jesus knows what's good and best for you. He will surely give His best for you. By submitting and laying down at His feet, we are asking our kinsman redeemer Jesus to take the required steps or action to get us settled in His plan.