Thistlebend Quiet eMoment

by Laurie Aker

Focus Scripture: Ruth 3:1-9 ESV

1 Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her,  
“My daughter, should I not seek rest for you,  
that it may be well with you?  
2 Is not Boaz our relative, with whose young women you were?  
See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor.  
3 Wash therefore and anoint yourself,  
and put on your cloak and go down to the threshing floor,  
but do not make yourself known to the man  
until he has finished eating and drinking.  
4 But when he lies down, observe the place where he lies.  
Then go and uncover his feet and lie down,  
and he will tell you what to do.”  
5 And she replied, “All that you say I will do.”
6 So she went down to the threshing floor  
and did just as her mother-in-law had commanded her.  
7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry,  
he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain.  
Then she came softly and uncovered his feet and lay down.  
8 At midnight the man was startled and turned over,  
and behold, a woman lay at his feet!
9 He said, “Who are you?”  
And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant.  
Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.”
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We are all familiar with your basic characters
in the Christmas story, but today I’m excited to
introduce you to another commonly overlooked player.
Without her obedience, the story could have
turned out much differently. I am referring to Ruth.

You may know her story, that she was widowed
and followed her mother-in-law to another town.
In her new town her mother-in-law encouraged her
to seek out a important man in the village from their lineage.
This man’s name was Boaz.
This proved to be a crucial decision
for the genealogy of Jesus Christ.

Matthew 1:2-6  
2 Abraham was the father of Isaac,
and Isaac the father of Jacob,  
and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,   
3 and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar,
and Perez the father of Hezron,  
and Hezron the father of Ram,
4 and Ram the father of Amminadab,  
and Amminadab the father of Nahshon,  
and Nahshon the father of Salmon, 
5 and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab,  
and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth,  
and Obed the father of Jesse, 
6 and Jesse the father of David the king.

From the descendants of David,
Jesus was born to Mary and Joseph.
I believe this can be traced back to an act of obedience
on the part of Ruth. And in that act of obedience
we see a beautiful picture of what I believe
God has in store for you and me
this holiday season.

Ruth approached Boaz as he was sleeping to
ask him if he would choose her as a bride.
This act was very bold and daring on her part.

Ruth 3:9
“He said, ‘Who are you?’
And she answered, ‘I am Ruth, your servant.
Spread your wings over your servant,
for you are a redeemer.'”

There are two significant words
in Ruth’s response: redeemer and wings.

The Hebrew word for redeemer is a legal
term used for one who has the obligation to redeem
a relative in serious difficulty (cf. Lev 25:25-55).
Ruth, being widowed and caring for her mother-in-law,
in a new town, saw herself in the midst of a very difficult time.
She needed a redeemer to save her from her circumstances.

‘Wings’ is a term that can speak of God’s protection.

Psalm 91:1-4
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

The Messiah is also prophesied to have healing in His wings.

Malachi 4:2
But for you who fear my name,  
the sun of righteousness shall rise  
with healing in its wings.  
You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.

What would the healing of your Messiah’s
wings mean in your life right now?
I beg you to run to the healing wings of your Savior.
He is your Redeemer!
Here is hope!
Our healing comes through our finding rest
and safety in our Redeemer’s wings.

Hide yourself in the shadow of your Almighty God.

MEDITATE or MEMORIZE

Write out the following verse from Ruth 3 and recite it 3 times.
Take it with you throughout the day.

9 “He said, ‘Who are you?’
And she answered, ‘I am Ruth, your servant.
Spread your wings over your servant,
for you are a redeemer.'”

PRAYER

Lord, be my Redeemer!
Bring me healing in your wings.

In His hands for His glory,

Laurie
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