Cinderella ran from the prince at the stroke of midnight and as she ran she lost a glass slipper. She was back to being poor Cinderella, the servant who sat among the ashes and waited on her step-mother and step-sisters. The prince searched throughout the kingdom for his true love. When the glass slipper was found to fit only Cinderella’s foot – she was revealed as the woman who had won the prince’s love.
Circumstances reveal who we are, who we really are, and our character is exposed. The character of both Boaz (wealthy land-owner) and Ruth (the Moabitess) was further revealed in the events of one night at the threshing floor.
Godly character is revealed
as a result of active faith in the living God.
(NASB) Ruth 3:7a “When Boaz had eaten and drunk and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain…”
***After a day of hard work and completion of the barley harvest, Boaz celebrated with his workers. After you have worked hard and have seen a successful completion of a project, there is a sense of accomplishment and joy because of a job well done. How you and I celebrate reveals our innermost person. And this is exactly what Boaz did.
(NASB) Ruth 3:7b “…and she came secretly, and uncovered his feet and lay down.”
***Ruth followed her mother-in-laws’ instructions. In humility and quietness she came to the feet of sleeping Boaz. She did not “˜announce’ herself with “˜Here I am’. Ruth did what Naomi had said to do. Scripture does not reveal if she had fear, or trepidation, or if she had wanted to run away…Ruth faced the unknown and did what she needed to do – true courage does that.
(NASB) Ruth 3:8 “It happened in the middle of the night that the man was startled and bent forward; and behold, a woman was lying at his feet.”
***How would you feel if you suddenly found someone sleeping at your feet? Would you have laughed? had fear?, or anger?, perhaps caution?, or maybe…lust?
How you and I react in unusual situations reveals our heart attitude. Boaz sterling character once again gleams bright and untarnished.
(NASB) Ruth 3:9a “Who are you?”
***Boaz had had a long day, winnowing and completing the Barley harvest, then had come the celebration of a good harvest. Sleep came for the weary man, tired from honest labor. To suddenly feel someone at his feet would indeed be startling.
Tomorrow’s devotional will explore more of the godly character of Boaz and Ruth.
When you are startled what is revealed about your character?
