Tami's SOAP - Ruth 3:1-9

Ruth 3:1-9 (The Message)

1-2One day her mother-in-law Naomi said to Ruth, "My dear daughter, isn't it about time I arranged a good home for you so you can have a happy life? And isn't Boaz our close relative, the one with whose young women you've been working? Maybe it's time to make our move. Tonight is the night of Boaz's barley harvest at the threshing floor.

3-4 "Take a bath. Put on some perfume. Get all dressed up and go to the threshing floor. But don't let him know you're there until the party is well under way and he's had plenty of food and drink. When you see him slipping off to sleep, watch where he lies down and then go there. Lie at his feet to let him know that you are available to him for marriage. Then wait and see what he says. He'll tell you what to do."

5 Ruth said, "If you say so, I'll do it, just as you've told me."

6 She went down to the threshing floor and put her mother-in-law's plan into action.

7 Boaz had a good time, eating and drinking his fill—he felt great. Then he went off to get some sleep, lying down at the end of a stack of barley. Ruth quietly followed; she lay down to signal her availability for marriage.

8 In the middle of the night the man was suddenly startled and sat up. Surprise! This woman asleep at his feet!

9 He said, "And who are you?"

She said, "I am Ruth, your maiden; take me under your protecting wing. You're my close relative, you know, in the circle of covenant redeemers—you do have the right to marry me."

S: verse5 - Ruth said, "If you say so, I'll do it, just as you've told me."

O: I see in Ruth such a sweet, innocent, content, peaceful surrender & trust. She trusts God, & she trusts God speaking through Naomi. Her ready response is "I'll do it, just as you say." This is a heart that God can & will bless. It is a character He will honor. It is a life He will use.

A: I can see many times where I do NOT have that kind of sweet surrender - where I question & doubt & argue - in my mind at least, if not outwardly. I know it's something God wants to work more deeply into my life - and it truly is my heart's desire to be a woman of contentment & trust: a heart He will bless; a character He will honor; a life He will use.

P: Lord, I give you permission to continue removing from my life the things that are not of You. I know when I say that, that You won't simply wave a magic wand & PRESTO-CHANGO I'll be transformed into earthly perfection ;-) No, You'll put me into tough situations where I have to CHOOSE to develop the character You want and CHOOSE to die to the parts of me that need to die. I know it won't be easy but it will be worth it. And You'll be right there, helping me every step of the way. For Your praise & glory, and in Your name I pray, Amen.