Hello Beautiful People!
Its amazing to see so many of you on board with the #RuthChallenge having done the #EstherChallenge. For those that still don’t know what it is, don’t worry! The Ruth Challenge is a 4 day challenge, where we read the 4 chapters in the book of Ruth in the Bible! It is not just about reading, I would love for us to share our understanding of what we have read with each other, so as you read, feel free to hashtag #RuthChallenge if you have twitter. In addition, please email biblechallenge@outlook.com with your notes for each chapter, or a summary and I will put it up on this blog page!
DAY THREE- CHAPTER THREE
I read this chapter in The message and New Living Translation as I found a combination of the two easier to understand.
MY SHORT SUMMARY: Mama Naomi was playing match maker in this chapter. She wanted the best for her daughter in-law and the one man she had faith in to look after Ruth was Boaz. Not just because of His wealth, but because of his Character. Ruth saw the same, if not I’m sure she wouldn’t have agreed to go to Boaz, especially as I assume he was much older than her. Naomi being the typical mama instructed Ruth to prepare well, best clothes and that Lady One Million scent to go to Boaz at the threshing floor where she would lie at his feet to show her availability for marriage. 
Boaz was such a gent, He knew that Ruth was the best, probably wanted to have her there and then, but he was noble and adhered to the custom of the land, by offering Ruth to another who he thought was befitting. Boaz sought after Ruth’s best interest, he made sure her reputation remained intact because people would have assumed they’d slept together if they saw Ruth coming out in the morning. He didn’t allow her to go empty handed…he made sure she had food to take back to Naomi.
OBEDIENCE, THE PREPARATION PERIOD, WISE COUNSEL
Yet again like the #EstherChallenge, we see how important obedience is. Ruth listened to her mother in law and she was obedient to her instruction. Also, similar to Esther, Ruth had to prepare before going to meet the one she desired to call her husband. We actually have to prepare well well before seeking those things that we say we ‘desire’ because it is in our preparation that we will truly know whether it is worth seeking after. This goes for anything in life, whether we’re seeking godly relationships or good grades in our studies, they require preparation, and sometimes an elder like Nay to guide and advice you.
I say SOMETIMES, because Naomi’s advice/instruction in my opinion was a bit too extreme. She basically instructed Ruth to do anything Boaz asked her to do…which could have been A-N-Y-THING! Praise God it wasn’t. But it just shows that we should be careful of the advice we take. Yes, Naomi loved her daughter in-law and wanted the best for her, but lets remember what we learned from the Esther Challenge. You should evaluate the advice you receive from another by considering their personal relationship with God. Naomi’s spiritual condition in chapter 1 is far from encouraging. By her own confession, she is bitter, accusing God of being harsh with her. That should make us cautious. THINK:Is the counsel I am being given coming directly from the Words of Scripture, or is it the opinion of the adviser?
GODLY CONDUCT IN COMPROMISING SITUATIONS
We all were probably reading this chapter thinking oh no…I hope they don’t do what they shouldn’t do loool. We thank God that both Boaz and Ruth remained godly in a situation that could have easily turned into something else. It shows their strength of character! This should be an encouragement for us, Godly character should be evident in ungodly settings. We’re living in an age whereby ungodliness is everywhere, but we need to be that light. Light leaves no room for darkness. Lets take over! Matthew 5:13-16.
BOAZ IS THE STANDARD FOR YOU MEN
What male in this generation given the opportunity to do anything with a woman you desired wouldn’t take advantage? Very Few. To our men, this is the standard for you. You should be the kind of moral leader who takes the moral high ground, protecting the purity and reputation of the women you associate yourself with. This is what real manhood is about. Your Queen will come. 
Likewise, Ladies please do not compromise yourself or God’s standards just to get attention from a guy. Let the attention you receive from any man, be attention that stems from your inner beauty, grace, character and virtue. Your King will come.
WHAT EVERYONE ELSE DOING RUTH CHALLENGE HAS LEARNED:
Ruth today is headed to the threshing floor to meet with Boaz. One of the important things I learnt today was the importance of listening to instructions. Sometimes we miss our blessings because we fail to follow what we are being told to do. Another thing that stood out was the statement towards the end when Naomi was telling Ruth to wait and see what happens ‘For the man shall not rest until the matter is settled.’ This personally spoke to me deep down. There are some situations that are very blurry in our lives and sometimes we do not see any sunshine in the midst of a storm, but somewhere, someone is working on your case. This man named God! Shall not rest until your matters are settled, all you got to do is sit still and wait for him to act. Do not rush yourself into anything, do not worry because the God who created you, had a purpose when he did so, and he will not leave you until your mission here is accomplished. – @_Rudoe
Boaz could have taken advantage of her and ruined her reputation. He protected her instead. He loved her without realising – @Nemwha
Wise counsel and obedience are the formula for great things – @IfzRose
Lol!! Naomi really had a way of doing things though,I was beginning to wonder what was going to happen! I thank God for Boaz,he was a ‘Man’ indeed he knew the right thing to do…I’m not a man but I knew he had blood in his veins and must have felt something but still decided to abstain,he could have decided to do what our present day men would and still lift his shoulders,after all he was an influential and wealthy man,..but ‘No’ he maintained his Integrity. As. we Africans would say ‘whatever an elder sees,a child who climbs a high tree/mountain wouldn’t ‘ I bet Ruth had things running in her mind but she obeyed, sometimes we should keep our J’ET AGE’ knowledge and still stick to the advice of elders..so may call it old fashion but look at how obedience led Ruth to a beautiful destiny….Be warned –@saved_nicolee
To all the girls who are in a hurry to have a boyfriend or get married, a piece of Biblical advice: “Ruth patiently waited for her mate Boaz.” While you are waiting on YOUR Boaz, don’t settle for any of his relatives: Broke-az, Lyin-az, Cheatin-az, Dumb-az, Drunk-az, Cheap-az, Lockedup-az, Goodfornothingaz, Lazyaz and especially his third cousin Beatinyouaz. Wait on your Boaz and make sure he respects Yoaz!
“swiped from a friend” I wish I knew who wrote this! It’s the best advice ever!
Fantastic post however I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this topic?
I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit more. Bless you!
Thank you dear! Is there any part in particular that you would like me to elaborate on?