What can we learn from Ruth's actions about trusting God's timing in life? Ruth 3:8—A Midnight Turning Point “At midnight, Boaz was startled, turned over, and there lay a woman at his feet!” What Stands Out in This Scene • The precise moment—midnight—marks God’s deliberate timing. • Boaz’s surprise shows Ruth’s approach was unexpected yet perfectly placed in God’s plan. • Ruth’s quiet presence at Boaz’s feet pictures submission and trust. Trusting God’s Timing: Lessons from Ruth’s Actions • Obedience precedes opportunity – Ruth obeyed Naomi’s counsel (Ruth 3:1-5). – Psalm 37:23 “The steps of a man are ordered by the LORD.” Obedient steps clear the way for timely divine appointments. • Patience positions us for provision – Ruth waited until Boaz finished eating and drinking (3:7). – Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.” Ruth’s restraint kept her in sync with God’s calendar. • Humility invites God’s favor – Ruth lay at Boaz’s feet, the place of a servant requesting redemption. – 1 Peter 5:6 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may exalt you in due time.” Timing and humility are intertwined. • Courage complements faith – Approaching Boaz at night risked misunderstanding and rejection, yet Ruth trusted the covenant provisions of the kinsman-redeemer. – Isaiah 41:10 “Do not fear, for I am with you.” Trusting God’s timing often means stepping into uncertainty. God’s Timing Unfolds Step by Step 1. Midnight encounter (Ruth 3:8) 2. Boaz’s immediate response of protection (3:9-13) 3. Early-morning provision of grain (3:15) 4. Legal redemption the following day (4:1-10) 5. Marriage and the birth of Obed, linking to David and ultimately Christ (4:13-22) At each stage, God’s timing advanced His redemptive story while honoring Ruth’s faith. Connecting Ruth’s Example to Our Lives • Wait with expectancy—not passivity (Psalm 27:14). • Obey the daily instructions God provides through His Word. • Trust that apparent delays may be divine set-ups (Romans 8:28). • Rest at the Redeemer’s feet; His timing is both precise and good (Galatians 6:9). |
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