Known As Noble
Jesus came to redeem us that we might live reflect Him as we bring redemption to others. The King of Kings wants to teach you how to live with a life of nobility as He crowns you with righteousness.
“Now Boaz, with whose women you have worked, is a relative of ours. Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do.” “I will do whatever you say,” Ruth answered. In the middle of the night something startled the man; he turned—and there was a woman lying at his feet! “Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family.” “The Lord bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character. When Ruth came to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked, “How did it go, my daughter?” Then she told her everything Boaz had done for her and added, “He gave me these six measures of barley, saying, ‘Don’t go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed." Ruth 3:2-5, 8-17
We began this journey of studying the Bible roughly 230 days ago and every passage today connects in a way that only God could ordain. We can pass by that quickly, or we can allow it to strengthen our faith so that we realize that God sees us. He has a message for us and wants to guide us.
The first thing to notice in this text is that Ruth listens and obeys. She doesn't question, need to know all the answers, or push back. She trusts and obeys Naomi. Is this your natural instinct or do you need to know all the plans prior to taking action. There can be paralysis by analysis that prevents us from receiving the blessing God has for us. How well are you listening and obeying God?
There are two key terms. Noble and guardian redeemer. Both are incredibly significant. The Hebrew word for noble here means strength of character lived out in faithful action. Is this a word that people would use to describe you? The Guardian redeemer is a close relative who takes responsibility to restore, protect, and redeem what has been lost, acting out of covenant love. This is what Jesus does for us and exactly how Boaz treats Ruth.
When Ruth came to Boaz, she was not making a romantic gesture. She is making a covenant appeal for redemption and covering. She needed help and in humility searched not for the man who the world might have told her to pursue, a young one, but she pursued the one who was righteous and faithful. Notice how after Ruth is blessed she does not go back to Naomi empty-handed.
Ruth approaches humbly and courageously. This is very similar to how we approach God with the fear of the Lord, with reverence and humility. Boaz responds righteously and generously just like God does. He reflects the character of God. In our lives, we will have an opportunity to be both Ruth and Boaz. We can help review others after we have been redeemed by Jesus. Who could you help today? Consider asking God to put someone on your heart who needs redemption then reach out.
“You, Lord, showed favor to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. Restore us again, God our Savior...Show us your unfailing love, Lord, and grant us your salvation. I will listen to what God the Lord says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants— but let them not turn to folly. Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land. Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.”
Psalms 85:1-13
Aseph sings of how God redeems, restores, and rewards those who love Him. It is critical to remember that he writes this song in the midst of feeling far from God. He is writing after the people of Israel had been unfaithful. He calls on the covenant knowing because the covenant is stronger than how they have been careless. Aseph wants all people to know that God's love rescues, restores, and redeems because that is who He is. He says call on him because He is always faithful. God wants nothing more than to bless His people, but He cannot bless disobedience. Aseph warns people about turning to folly. He wants to help people understand that it is through humility, the fear of God, and obedience that they will unlock the blessing that God wants to bestow on them.
Aseph says surely salvation is near those who fear Him and righteousness goes before Him. Remember how Ruth was faithful and obedient then humbly laid at the feet of Boaz. Think of how Mary did the same thing at the feet of Jesus and He said what she had would not be taken from her. How can your obedience help open the door to nearness with Jesus?
“Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings. Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She...works with eager hands. She gets up while it is still night...She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. She is clothed with strength and dignity...She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. Her children arise and call her blessed; a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”
Proverbs 31:2-3, 5, 8-31
Have you honored the women in your life? Have you honored your loved ones by speaking a blessing over them? Words have power. We have power. So often people cannot see in themselves what we see. It is important to help them know they are seen and valued. How many people go through life and never understand how previous they are to God and to us? It costs us nothing to give a compliment or encouragement, but it can mean everything to the recipient.
How do you want to be remembered? Will you be remembered as noble? The Noble wife is praised because she exhibits the attributes of God and impacts the lives of everyone around her. She uses her strength to build, restore, and protect. She does not do what she does to be honored. She does what is right because it is who she is. Her heart is steadfast and her life reflects her heart.
““Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the Lord. “Many nations will be joined with the Lord in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.” Zechariah 2:10-11
Scripture is truly amazing. Consider how hundreds of years before Jesus ever lived these words were written. God tells us what He is going to do and then He does it so that we have the confirmation we need to learn to trust as we walk into the unknown. In this text, redemption moves from family and friends to the entire world. As this changes, so should our hearts as we learn to look beyond our immediate circles. Never forget that Ruth was a Moabite. She was someone who did not look like the Israelites, nor was she born into their faith, but she become part of the family of God as she was faithful. God will redeem any willing heart.
Will we care about what God cares about? Will our heart break for what breaks the heart of God? Will we choose to pursue a life of nobility that seeks to restore, redeem, and bring resurrection to every person, regardless of where they have been, what they have done, or whether we like them? Jesus came to be our guardian redeemer.
“To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth— because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love. It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth...And now, dear lady...this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.” 2 John 1:1-6
I love that the letter in second John was written to the dear lady. Jesus completely redefined social structures by elevating the value of each person. Paul wrote there are neither male or female not because he was trying to erase genders, but because he was trying to speak to the truth that all people who are spirit lead, have the power to impact the world around them.
John says that redeemed people walk in truth and love. Redeemed people obey the commands of Jesus by looking for how they can serve and help save others. Redeemed people become agents of restoration. Noble character leads to participation in redemption.
Ultimately, all of the text point to Jesus. He paid the price to redeem us, He is the one who runs after the lost, He covers and protects us from all sin, He resurrects the dead places in our lives so we too can experience the fullness of joy that comes through bringing healing and helping those in need. There is always a connection between those who have been transformed and how God wants to use them to transform the lives of others. Who could you help connect with Jesus?
Ruth demonstrated the life of nobility by walking humbly, living faithfully to Naomi, working diligently, and trusting God fully. Ruth was obedient before she saw the answer to her prayers, or knew the outcome lead to her redemption. The wife of noble character did the same thing in proverbs. She did not sit back and let others serve her. Her life reflected the strength she received as she did the work that God gave her to do by blessing her with a family and community.
John says the same thing here. He says she used to live faithful, and you will see that God has already covered your sins and will move on your behalf. The beautiful part of this text today is that the reward for life of humility is not just blessing but participation in bringing redemption to others. God wants you to know how special you are to Him. Jesus came to give you back your value and help you understand your identity in the kingdom of God. So pursue nearness with God like Ruth did with Boaz and you will see His miraculous power in and through you as He leads you to help connect Him with others.