⏱ 14 min read

• Day 49 of 50, and we are ending strong with this powerful word from Ruth 3. You’ll be super blessed by this! 📖🔥🤗
• Today’s word will include some points from one of my mentors also. Let’s dig in and let’s write God’s Word in our hearts! 📖🤍
• God bless you, and looking forward to your lessons, insights, and comments.

(v1-2) Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you? Now Boaz, whose young women you were with, is he not our relative? In fact, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor…
(v3) Therefore, wash yourself and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. (v5) And she said to her, “All that you say to me I will do.”

One of the great traits of Ruth that runs through the chapters is that she listened to good counsel. In this lies one of her secrets to success. Dear friend, can you be counseled and instructed?

• In Chapter 2, Boaz noticed this trait and sought to confirm it (Ruth 2:8-17). And guess what, Ruth took that counsel.
• That was the start to a glorious destiny. I ask again, can you be counseled and instructed?

“You will listen, my daughter, will you not? Do not go to glean in another field, nor go from here, but stay close by my young women..." ~ Ruth 2:8

Naomi, in reward of Ruth’s faithfulness, loyalty, kindness, and hard work, hatched a plan to find her rest and security, by matching her with Boaz as a married couple. She was a broke, widowed, childless, older woman, but she said: “It’s my turn to also help you; I may be old but there is something I can do for you; I have some tips and I have some plans to help you…”

THE OLDER WOMEN LIKEWISE, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— THAT THEY ADMONISH THE YOUNG WOMEN TO LOVE THEIR HUSBANDS, to love their children... ~ Titus 2:3-4

• Naomi was an older woman, and she knew much more about how to behave towards a man.
• Naomi also knew about some customs of the Jewish men that Ruth had no idea of.
• Naomi is symbolic of the woman who understands a man and has the humility that is required to be married.
• Naomi gave Ruth the keys she needed to win the heart of Boaz. Naomi told Ruth exactly how to win Boaz’s favour and get his attention.
• Naomi was the right person to teach Ruth what to do. It is always a blessing when an older woman teaches a younger woman.

Please note: just because we are using the example of Ruth and Naomi does not mean this applies only to women or ladies. Yes, some may be specific for ladies, but this is Godly advice for both men and women, which is applicable beyond marriage relationships also.

Fortunately, Ruth listened to the advice of the experienced Naomi. And though Ruth was a novice in Bethlehem, she prevailed and ended up becoming the wife of a great man by counsel. She was new to the city of Bethlehem; she had never been a young widow before.

So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law instructed her. (v6)

Ruth was a foreigner (a Moabite) who needed to understand the Jewish culture. She didn’t know how older Jewish men behaved but she listened to her mother-in-law and followed her advice. No matter what may be against you, good counsel can turn your life and story around! Let’s go over Naomi’s advice.

Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you? Now Boaz, whose young women you were with, is he not our relative? In fact, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. (v1-2)

1. Young lady, let me help you choose (v1-2)

In other words, choose the man that I choose for you. Naomi thought and sought rest for Ruth (Ruth wasn’t even thinking about it nor even considering Boaz). Naomi sought out something good for her daughter-in-law. She told Ruth where and when to make contact with Boaz (places to go and times to engage).

• Naomi basically chose Boaz for Ruth, and Ruth accepted it. God made a suitable helper (Eve) for Adam (when Adam didn’t even know he lacked something), and Adam accepted her.
• Abraham sent Eliezer (his oldest and trusted servant), who chose Sarah for Isaac, and Isaac accepted her. (Isaac had no part to play in it).
• I am not experienced much in this aspect of life, but the Bible is older than life itself, and so I am only sharing with us all this counsel from the Bible.

Ruth did not write Boaz off when Naomi brought him up. She didn’t say that Boaz was an old, unexciting man. She considered and took the counsel. Many people want to choose for themselves (in all aspects of life). Choosing for yourself at a certain stage of your life can be very tricky.

Perhaps, choosing for yourself at a time when you do not understand the issues at stake is the basis for most failed relationships, marriages, and careers. Naomi helped choose a husband for Ruth, and Ruth had a successful marriage. May the Lord help us!

2. Young lady, wash yourself and be a clean person.

Some of us are not clean. It may surprise you that some ladies do not like bathing. Some ladies have smells and odours they are not even aware of (as I said, all these apply to guys also). Perhaps some of us have to learn a new habit of consistently bathing twice daily (me included… mercy!)

• Naomi, an experienced woman, knew that being clean and washed was very important for a man like Boaz and for the occasion.
• Perhaps some people would not notice certain looks and smells. But Naomi knew that Ruth needed to be clean if she was to succeed.
• That is why she told Ruth, “Wash yourself; take a good bath; clean yourself.”

3. Young lady, anoint and improve yourself!

After washing herself, Naomi wanted Ruth to anoint herself (referring to perfume). Naomi wanted Ruth to smell nice to Boaz. She wanted Ruth to enhance her beauty and be very attractive to Boaz. I cannot say this point without asking you to first seek to be anointed by the Lord!

"Charm and grace are deceptive, and [superficial] beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord [reverently worshiping, obeying, serving, and trusting Him with awe-filled respect], she shall be praised." ~ Proverbs 31:30 

• In addition to this, it is important to enhance your beauty, make yourself look attractive and smell nice (so from here I’m going to get some perfume, I hope you do same lol).
• You may think it is natural for one to want to look nice to the one they love.
• Unfortunately, many women just want to look nice in public but not to the man who sees them mostly in private.

How pleasing is your fragrance; your name is like the spreading fragrance of scented oils. No wonder all the young women love you! ~ Songs of Songs 1:3

You will be shocked to see what many of the stunning beauties you know look like at home. (At home, all the artificial additions are removed! The beautiful clothes and wigs are off!) At home, many of the fashionable ladies you see in public are hairless, sweaty, smelly and all dressed up in rags… mercy!

4. Young lady, wear the right clothes

Naomi wanted Ruth to wear the right clothes that would make her look even more beautiful when Boaz saw her. Some people only look nice at weddings, events, and when going out.

• But it is also important to look nice at home and in every casual setting (consider getting some nice things to wear at home).
• Remember, we are talking about right clothing – not expensive clothing and not trendy clothing.
• Discard the skimpy clothes, and the ones exposing your breasts, etc. Please be an example in modesty. Let an experienced ‘Naomi’ guide you even in this.

We need to point out this balance because the Bible speaks of the attire of the harlot or a prostitute (And there a woman met him, dressed as a prostitute and sly and cunning of heart ~ Proverbs 7:10). The Bible also tells us that people look at the outward appearance.

The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” ~ 1 Samuel 16:7

This simply means that your clothing suggests who you are, how you are going to be perceived, the kind of people you are going to attract, favours that can come your way, etc.

5. Young lady, understand your man

It is said that men are from Mars and women are from Venus. A woman is very different from a man. Without training, a woman will never know how to behave towards a man. Naomi gave lessons on this.

Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor; but DO NOT MAKE YOURSELF KNOWN TO THE MAN until he has finished eating and drinking. Then it shall be, when he lies down, that YOU SHALL NOTICE the place where he lies; and you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lie down; and he will tell you what you should do.” (v3-4)

• I am sure the same can be said of men. Without training, a man will never understand a woman.
• How wonderful it is when an experienced woman teaches the younger lady how to relate to her man (same goes for men).
• Remember also not to generalise this to all men or all Christian men (and vice versa to all women, all leaders, all bosses, etc.)

6. Young lady, do not push the man around.

God created man to be the head. God created the woman to submit to the man. This is the natural and divine order. Every time a woman tries to push a man around, there are problems. You can get your man to do what you want without forcing him around (that’s for another time lol).

Then it shall be, when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies; and you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lie down; and HE WILL TELL YOU WHAT TO DO. (v4)

Naomi knew that it was important to approach Boaz gently, humbly and submissively. A younger woman may not know how important that is. But the older woman certainly knew this truth!

• Naomi also knew that at a certain point, Ruth can only be successful by listening and adapting to what Boaz says or wants.
• The adaptation of someone to another is proof that they honour them. To honour someone is to accommodate him, to adjust to him and to adapt to the person.

I have learnt to adjust to the people I honour (eg. my fathers in the faith, parents, superiors at work, etc). Honour means to accomodate or embrace what they want, how they want things done, when they want it, etc., and to adjust to these things.

• Similarly, your failure to adapt, to adjust and to accommodate someone are clear manifestations of a lack of honour.
• You must learn to adapt yourself to the man you’re with. This is why the counsel of Naomi was so important.
• This is why the teaching of an older woman is critical for a successful marriage (and the teaching of older mentors for other aspects of life).

7. Young lady, choose a marriage that will give you rest

Naomi chose the kind of marriage that would give rest to Ruth. Left to Ruth alone, she may have chosen the kind of man that would impress the world. Ruth could have chosen a young man who was more handsome, rich, tall, and had six-packs (I am sure she had many proposals from such).

Then he said, “Blessed are you of the Lord, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich. (v10)

It was the fact that Ruth was interested in him (Boaz) that really touched Boaz’s heart. Boaz commented on the fact that she was not looking for a rich young man. Most girls would simply like to marry a rich young man.

• Naomi’s advice guided Ruth away from following after riches and youthfulness and into the will of God.
• Only an older Naomi would advise this young lady to go for a man like Boaz.

Naomi’s are all around us, I pray we identify them. Naomi’s are also found in books. Buy books and read them. Books are spiritual; books are patient teachers and mentors! Your Naomi may be a good book!

In summary, Naomi’s advice was clear. Example: Approach him only after he has eaten. Put on some nice clothes. Put on some perfume. Ruth could have considered Naomi’s advice to be unspiritual.

• Ruth could have just chosen to go to Boaz and quote scriptures to him, explaining why he needed to care for widows.
• If Ruth had chosen to quote scriptures about caring for widows, she may never have been married to Boaz and become the great-grandmother of King David.
• Ruth chose the counsel of Naomi and ended up a success. When a novice receives advice in all humility, he / she will do well.

Many marriages, careers, and ministries, etc., are condemned before they even start. Many pride-filled novices go to the altar and make vows confidently, not knowing that it is going to take more than good ideas to achieve a happy, peaceful and beautiful marriage. Let us decide to be novices who listen to advice from experienced people.

Hey, you're blessed and highly favoured and dearly loved! Do share your lessons from Ruth 3. Remember to tag us and your friends on 📲:
☆ IG: @awg_devotional or @cfc_knust
☆ FB/X: @AWGDevotional

Disclaimer: this post contains portions of messages and text originally shared by Bishop Dag Heward-Millls (who is one of my mentors in the faith)