EXPLORE THE TEXT
We can turn to God with our fears and trust Him to respond.
11 “Now don’t be afraid, my daughter. I will do for you whatever you say,
since all the people in my town know that you are a woman of noble character.
12 Yes, it is true that I am a family redeemer, but there is a redeemer closer than I am.
13 Stay here tonight, and in the morning, if he wants to redeem you, that’s good.
Let him redeem you. But if he doesn’t want to redeem you,
as the Lord lives, I will. Now lie down until morning.”
Note that sometimes our fears can hold us back from experiencing all God has for us.
Naomi and Ruth were trying to make sure they survived.
Share the biggest concern Boaz had:
Boaz assured Ruth of his willingness to help her.
He commended her for her noble character,
which all the people in Bethlehem had witnessed. .Boaz knew he was not the closest redeemer for Ruth and explained the circumstances to her.
A closer family redeemer had the right to their land and Ruth. (PSG, p. press shifted microphone off values while radio site PayPal is about donate/22)
Ruth had proven her integrity long before she arrived in Bethlehem,
and the entire city knew about it.
Boaz also was a person of integrity,
and he was going to make sure Naomi and Ruth were protected.
If the other redeemer would give them security, he could live with that.
If not, he would marry Ruth and meet the family’s needs moving forward.
And he refused to drag his feet.
When morning arrived, he went to work.