How does Ruth 3:7 demonstrate Ruth's obedience and trust in Naomi's guidance? Setting the Scene “After Boaz had eaten and drunk and was in good spirits, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. Then Ruth came stealthily, uncovered his feet, and lay down.” (Ruth 3:7) Following Naomi’s Precise Instructions • Naomi’s earlier counsel: “Wash, put on perfume, and put on your best clothes… go down to the threshing floor… uncover his feet and lie down” (Ruth 3:3–4). • Ruth 3:7 records the moment Ruth carries out each step exactly, without alteration. • Her actions mirror the biblical pattern of faithful obedience—doing “all that you are commanded” (Luke 17:10). Obedience under Risky Circumstances • Ruth approaches in the dark while Boaz sleeps among hired men—an act that could invite misunderstanding or danger. • She abandons personal comfort and reputation to honor Naomi’s word, echoing the spirit of 1 Samuel 15:22: “To obey is better than sacrifice.” • This obedience shows she values God-ordained family redemption laws (Leviticus 25:25; Deuteronomy 25:5-10) more than her own security. Trust Born from Relationship • Ruth trusts Naomi’s discernment that Boaz is “a kinsman-redeemer” (Ruth 2:20). • Her willingness to lie at his feet expresses confidence that Naomi understands both Boaz’s character and God’s provision. • Proverbs 3:5—“Trust in the LORD with all your heart”—is fleshed out through Ruth’s trust in the Lord working through Naomi. Spiritual Significance for Believers Today • Obedience often requires quiet, unseen faithfulness rather than grand gestures. • True trust submits to godly counsel even when the path is unfamiliar. • Like Ruth, believers step into God’s redemptive plan by aligning actions with His revealed Word and with wise, scriptural guidance (Hebrews 13:17). Key Takeaways • Ruth 3:7 spotlights a woman who does exactly “as her mother-in-law had commanded her” (Ruth 3:6), illustrating wholehearted obedience. • Her act affirms deep trust—both in Naomi’s wisdom and in God’s covenant faithfulness. • The verse invites every follower of Christ to the same posture: humble, courageous obedience anchored in trust that God’s way is always for our good and His glory. |
    |