Authority & Vulnerability

Ruth 3:

1 Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, should I not seek rest foryou, that it may be well with you? 2 Is not Boaz our relative, with whose youngwomen you were? See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. 3 Washtherefore and anoint yourself, and put on your cloak and go down to the threshing floor,but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.4 But when he lies down, observe the place where he lies. Then go and uncover his feet andlie down, and he will tell you what to do.” 5 And she replied, “All that you say I will do.”

6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law hadcommanded her. 7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he wentto lie down at the end of the heap of grain. Then she came softly and uncovered his feetand lay down. 8 At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a womanlay at his feet! 9 He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant.Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.” 10 And he said, “May you beblessed by the LORD, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the firstin that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. 11 And now, my daughter,do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you area worthy woman. 12 And now it is true that I am a redeemer. Yet there is a redeemer nearerthan I. 13 Remain tonight, and in the morning, if he will redeem you, good; let him do it. Butif he is not willing to redeem you, then, as the LORD lives, I will redeem you. Lie down untilthe morning.”

14 So she lay at his feet until the morning, but arose before one could recognize another.And he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” 15 And hesaid, “Bring the garment you are wearing and hold it out.” So she held it, and he measuredout six measures of barley and put it on her. Then she went into the city. 16 And when shecame to her mother-in-law, she said, “How did you fare, my daughter?” Then she told herall that the man had done for her, 17 saying, “These six measures of barley he gave to me,for he said to me, ‘You must not go back empty-handed to your mother-in-law.’” 18 Shereplied, “Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will notrest but will settle the matter today.”

Ruth 3 sets up a harrowing scene of ultimate vulnerability and restoration. Ruth, still radically committed to her hesed love for Naomi, is willing to risk everything to help redeem her mother-in-law. What we see in this beautiful story is emblematic of the Kingdom and the way of the King, Jesus. He showed the ultimate authority (the capacity for meaningful action) and vulnerability (exposure to meaningful risk) to redeem/restore humanity back to its place of flourishing under/through a relationship with God.

Give the sermon text a read and a listen and we hope to see you this week at a Family Meal and/or a DNA group to dive even deeper.