⏱ 5 min read

(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.” – Ruth 3:3,5

Yesterday, we read one great trait of Ruth that runs through the chapters: she listened to good counsel. Dear friend, can you be counseled and instructed? The first counsel from Naomi was the choice of a partner for Ruth. Are you ready for the second one? It might be a shocker o.

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, and is applicable even beyond marriage relationships also.

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!) and using deodorant or lime, etc.

• 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.” This may be God’s wisdom to us today!

3. Young lady, anoint and improve yourself!

After washing herself, Naomi wanted Ruth to anoint herself (Ruth 3:3) (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!

• Young lady and young gentlemen, seek to be anointed! Wait on the Lord and seek His face for an anointing for the purpose you are to fulfill.
• It also refers to a good name or character you must develop (Songs of Songs 1:3).
• You are attractive or there is an attraction about you when you are anointed; and when that anointing affects your character. And you are somewhat not attractive (or ugly) when you are not anointed and have a bad character.

“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

• Now, in addition to this anointing, it is important to enhance your beauty, make yourself look attractive and smell nice (so from here let’s all go and get some good deodorant and perfume; I hope you do it o).

You may think it is natural for a person to want to look and smell 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 we 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!

And this is what the one they “love” and have married gets, while their bosses and other men outside get the humble, submissive, fine, well dressed, excellent looking and perfumed version. This should not be (or what do you think?)

• The Bible teaches that the young woman should be taught to love her husband and be submitted to her own husband; not to other people’s husbands eg. bosses, pastors, other men (Titus 2:4-5).
• Could this be why we attract more attention outside the home than with our own husbands/spouses/families at home?

Remember the teaching, the advice and the instructions of Architect Naomi to young Ruth: wash yourself and anoint yourself for the person you love! Have nice hair at home; clean up, be presentable and smell good. First and most important to the one you love, before to others outside.

We’ll continue and hopefully finish with Naomi’s next counsel tomorrow, but spend some time and pray about what we’ve read today.

• What can you do differently to follow today’s counsel?
• Pray that the Holy Spirit will show you different ways to apply this word in your life.
• Go and do it practically.

Hey, you're blessed and highly favoured and dearly loved!
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