“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. 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.” – Ruth 3:3-4 

Scripture reading: Deuteronomy 25:5-10

Stand amazed at the beautiful providence of God as He directs all things. Remember how He directed Ruth to Boaz’s field, the field that the divinely inspired author “cheekily” said she just chanced upon. He then worked in Boaz’s heart, so that he would show care for the sojourning, fatherless widow as per the gleaning laws. All the while, God has been sovereignly at work in Naomi’s heart too. She’s changing. From a bitter woman trudging back into Bethlehem to now taking the initiative to see to it that her daughter-in-law finds rest.

Do we have our eyes open to all the different and sometimes complex ways that God is at work in our lives? Are you watching to see how he weaves everything together even through, and maybe especially through, those times of undoneness?

In this story, God’s next step in bringing about restoration comes through the instructions Naomi gives to Ruth. Essentially, she instructs Ruth to put off her widow’s attire to make it clear to Boaz that she is available for marriage.

Note well, Naomi’s instructions are not an underhanded nor improper way for Ruth to make a marriage proposal. No, Naomi uses the principles found in our reading from Deuteronomy 25 as the grounds for her instruction. These are instructions based on God’s word.

That’s a helpful instruction for us: strive to do everything, when it comes to starting a relationship as well, in accordance with God’s word.

Suggestions for prayer

Petition God to help you to give godly instruction and direction to those in your care, also when it comes to relationships and marriage.

Since 2019, Rev. Rodney Vermeulen has served the Attercliffe Canadian Reformed Church near Dunnville, Ontario, Canada. He, his wife, children and grandchildren are deeply grateful for the blessing of daily living under the shelter of God’s wings. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.