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Ruth 3:5-9

 In life, there are times when we all have to make big decisions. 
Maybe you come to a fork in the road, make that one decision, and your life veers off in a completely new direction...

Ruth has come to that point.
She has carried out the first part of Naomi's plan, but now she's doing things her way. 

What was Naomi's plan and what could it mean?

Given that the scene and the conditions were ripe for a sexual encounter, why was Ruth able to resist temptation?
If you were in Ruth's situation, how would you have chosen to act?
How can the words of Psalm 119:9 help?

Instead of continuing with Naomi's plan, what does Ruth do instead?


In verse 9, the Hebrew word used gets translated as "spread the corner of your garment over me" or "spread your wings over me"... both of these phrases are to be understood as a marriage proposal.


[Activity] Read Ezekiel 16:8.
What is God doing with Israel here?
How does this shine a light on what is happening between Ruth and Boaz?


Just how, back in Ruth 2:12, we saw Ruth putting herself under God's "wings" when she travelled to Judah with her Mother-in-law... Ruth now seeks refuge under Boaz's "wings" with her bold marriage proposal.
Why was this so shocking?

Servant proposing to her boss.
Poor widow proposing to a rich man.
Young woman proposing to an older man.
A Moabite proposing to a Jew.

Ruth proposing to Boaz was definitely not the social norm.
What do you think of her decision?

What do you think about a woman proposing to a man?
If you are a woman, would you do it?
Why or why not?


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