Devotions

Whether it’s birth or death, breaking down or building up, weeping or laughing, mourning or dancing, getting or losing, rending or sewing, speaking or being silent, or whatever else, Ecclesiastes 3 makes it clear that there’s a time for everything. It has been well said that ‘There’s a time for everything, and everything in its time.” In these verses, Boaz and Ruth could so easily have gone too far too fast, but they didn’t, and neither should we.

Not now

Verse 14 shows that Boaz and Ruth were careful to avoid both evil and the appearance of it. They were human beings. Falling deeply in love, their hearts pumping and their hormones rushing, they were undoubtedly tempted to act on their baser instincts. However, this godly couple were determined to do what was right, and all of us should be careful to follow their godly example in this and in every area of life.

But later

The time would come for Boaz and Ruth to demonstrate their love for one another in the fullest physical expression possible, and in all aspects of the Christian life, we do well to remember that later is not the same as never. At different times we may have all sorts of desires which may not be inherently wrong, but which are not necessarily the Lord’s will for us at that moment in time. We must watch and wait, and rightly discern God’s will.

Tokens for good

Verse 15 shows how Boaz demonstrated his love for Ruth in a way that was appropriate to the time and stage of things. He sends her home with food for herself and Naomi, as a token of his love for her and his willingness to be her kinsman redeemer. As Boaz, so Christ gives us many tokens for good. Again and again we receive encouragements from the Lord, reminding us that He is with us, fulfilling His purposes, and working only for our good.