The Dating Game

You will need to read the 2^nd and 3^rd chapters of the book of Ruth in your Bible. Please do this before you read on or you may not understand what we're talking about. If you want to know the whole story please read the entire book of Ruth. There are wonderful and instructive practical, spiritual and dispensational lessons in this short book. Today we will talk only about some of the practical lessons found in chapter 3. For sake of time we will talk only in present day terms.

There was an immediate attraction between Ruth and Boaz. Ruth is a poverty-stricken widow. She is young, beautiful and in a foreign land. She is also a new convert. Boaz is a prominent leader in Bethlehem of Judah. He is a wealthy man and much older than Ruth. Ruth has been working in the fields of Boaz for about 6 weeks and the time of harvest is over. During this time she has eaten at the table of this powerful man and he in turn has shown her much kindness.

Then there is Naomi. Naomi is the mother-in-law of Ruth. Now understand that Ruth really owes nothing to Naomi. Her husband is dead and she really should have gone back to her father's house. She is young and beautiful, and she should be looking for a husband. Naomi, aged and experienced; a Godly woman, now gives her advice to Ruth. Notice, in verse 1, her desire for Ruth. "Shall I not seek rest for thee?" This is the heart of God. In the beginning God created man and woman and He placed them in the garden of Eden - a place of rest. This is also the desire of every godly parent. They desire more than anything else that their children will find rest in marriage. God designed marriage to be a place of rest, comfort, contentment, rejoicing, fulfillment and pleasure. I would shout at the top of my lungs "SIN WILL DESTROY GOD'S REST" This is always the case - in everything we do.

If marriage is supposed to be a place of rest, why then is there so much divorce even among God's people? We will find the answer to that in our story. It could be summed up though in the word obedience.

Let's continue our story. Ruth follows the instruction of Naomi. This is your first step toward "finding rest." Dear young person, "give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings." Seek the advice of godly, and I emphasize godly, men and women that God places in your lives. They can't tell you who to marry, and then again maybe you would do well in following their advice. Do not "lean on your own understanding." It will lead you to sadness, despair, and misery.

Consider the advice of this godly woman, Naomi. She tells Ruth first of all that her relationship with Boaz would be according to the Word of God (study verse 2 with Deut. 25:5-10) This is a good place to start. Is the person you are `in love with' a believer on the Lord Jesus? Does their life conform to the Word of God? Have you prayed honestly about your relationship? Note that their relationship is not based on feelings (I didn't say there were no feelings, I said it was not based on feelings). This if very important if you want to find REST.

Naomi tells Ruth that she must maintain proper hygiene. In other words, don't be sloppy. Even wear a little perfume. A godly woman does not need to be sloppy or unattractive. It is OK to look nice and to be attractive. She goes on to say; "put on your best dress." Translation: "dress nicely, put on the best you have for the one you want to `conquer' but do so with "propriety and moderation, not with…costly clothing." We don't have time now to consider what the Bible says about the way you dress (men can be as vain as women by the way) only to say that it should be in moderation. Young lady, if you want to attract a rich man that's the way you will dress. If you want to attract a man that sees you as a sex object, that is how you will dress. On the other hand, if you are seeking "rest in the house of your husband," then dress appropriately!

I hope you will be interested in knowing what happens with Ruth. There is much more that we can learn from the life of this godly young lady. Boaz will also teach us some wonderful lessons about what it means to be a gentleman and the makings of a godly husband.

Tune in next time for the rest of the story.

RC