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Ruth 3:10-13

 In the Shakespeare play A Midsummer Night's Dream the two young lovers lament about how true love will always face great obstacles, especially when those involved come from very different ethnic, cultural, and social backgrounds.

The love of Ruth and Boaz is all these and more...


If Boaz was willing to marry Ruth (Ruth 3:11) why didn't he propose to Ruth first?
What kind of things could be stopping him?


Another obstacle to Boaz proposing to Ruth is there is someone else, who is a closer relative, with the first right to marry Ruth in this levirate marriage custom (Deuteronomy 25:5-10).

Why has Boaz been waiting for this other 'guardian redeemer'?

What might this show us about Boaz's character?


In Ruth 3:13, we see Boaz is willing to be the 'kinsman redeemer' even though he's not obligated to do so. What does this show us?


Ironically, in handling their relationship the proper way, Boaz and Ruth might have ended up losing everything... if the nearer relative exercises his right and marries Ruth, she and Boaz cannot be together.


The lesson from this part of their story is...

God's will must be done in God's way.


Do you agree with this statement?
Why or why not?
How, today, can we know God's will and God's ways?

In what ways might our own pragmatism affect our obedience to God's Word?

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