za L-vord (part one)

[catatonic_17]

 A church mate got married today and it was beautiful. She was stunning. The groom was drop-dead gorgeous. The ceremony was classy, although there were last minute changes made because of the rain. A lot of people had doubts about their relationship, whether they were really right for each other. But I guess the Lord has other plans that our finite mind can ever fathom.

Because it was so beautiful and they were so beautiful together, I can't help but feel the love. It is so tangible you could almost grasp it like a fluffy pillow.

In our cell group's bible study, we have been studying women in the Bible. We just finished studying the book of Ruth and how her faithfulness to her mother-in-law was honored by God, and how God orchestrated her meeting with Boaz, her kinsman redeemer. Here is a beautiful love story because it doesn't just show us the love between two people, but the Love of God for Naomi and Ruth (whom He has restored), for their family (being the ancestors of King David), and God's love for His church (Christ's genealogy includes Ruth and Boaz; the salvation of the whole world passed through them! Such honor!)

A couple of things we've learned from Ruth's story;

1) Ruth waited a long time before she met Boaz. (She's been a widow for more than 10 years). While she was waiting, she ministered to her mother-in-law: working (gathering grain) for her, bringing home food for her. That also applies to us. While we are still waiting to meet our Boaz's we should be focusing on our ministries, serving God, and learning new skills.

 

2) Ruth was a loyal and loving daughter-in-law. Her devotion to Naomi (who called herself Marah, "bitter") was so remarkable that people talked about it. That was how she was introduced to Boaz. It wasn't her beauty or her brains or her clothes that got Boaz's attention but her character.  

 

3) Boaz followed the law of God during the chaotic time in Israel where everybody did what was right in their own eyes. Even if Ruth was there and they could have consummated their marriage that night, he still waited speak to his relative who had more right to marry Ruth. In front of the city elders, he makes it known to everyone his intention to have Ruth as his wife. God's way and timing is the best.

 

I'm now waiting for my own Boaz and enjoying the wait. After all, I'll be married longer than I'll be single.