Wait, my daughter, until you know how the matter turns out; for the man will not rest until he has settled it today. Ruth 3:18
What is your perspective in the waiting periods in which God holds you? Are you patient or restless? I read today in My Utmost for His Highest, the difference between having vision and holding on to principle. Chambers so poignantly illustrates his point with Jonah; he declared exactly who God is, while in the midst of rebellion; running away from God (Jonah 4:2). Do we simply declare God’s goodness in the midst of our trials, but lack vision for the future?
Naomi has a vision for the future; she is concerned for the welfare of Ruth and will not rest until Ruth is settled. Ruth is beginning to see a glimpse of her future, too; she obeyed everything her mother-in-law instructed and now she simply has to wait. Ruth, like any woman, must be struggling with insecurities; she is a foreigner, a heathen, much younger than Boaz ~ why would a man who is so respected redeem her? Why would such a man want to marry her? What could she possibly offer him for such redemption?
Naomi assures Ruth that Boaz will not rest until he has settled the matter, and so it is with God. He did not rest until redemption was complete, and He will not rest until every promise He has given you for your future is fulfilled.
The King James Version uses the word finished, the Hebrew word kaw-law’, it means to end, complete, accomplish, determine, finish, fulfill, fully bring to pass, wholly reap, and make clean. Just before Jesus breathed His last precious breath, He said, “It is finished” (See John 19:30). The Greek word for the same word in this text is teleo; it too, means to make an end, fulfill, fill up, accomplish, perform, and pay.
Upon Christ’s death, the Bible explains that the Veil in the Temple rent in two, representing the end of the partition between God and man, and Jew and Gentile (Galatians 3:28). This is pivotal; Ruth is a Gentile and a shadow of the grace extended to the Gentiles. Not only do the Gentiles receive grace, but they are included in the genealogy of Jesus.
Naomi trusts Boaz; he is an honorable man and that he will do as he has said. We too, must trust in God for He is faithful who promised (Hebrews 11:11). I cannot help but notice, each time Ruth goes to the threshing floor, her harvest increases. The first time she beat out all she gleaned, she walked away with and ephah. The second time to the threshing floor, Boaz gave her six measures, which she did not have to glean. Each time we go to threshing floor, we will receive more from God: vision for our future and the strength to endure. Finally, Ruth washed, anointed herself, dressed her best, approached the threshing floor and asked Boaz to marry her. Salvation brings favor, provision, safety, fellowship and sonship. Now we anticipate our final destination: to become His bride, to be intimate with Him. We know the end of the story, Ruth becomes the wife of Boaz; we become the Bride of Christ; God is an amazing illustrator.
Do we trust Him? Do we have a perspective with vision attached? When God places us in a holding pattern, do we grow restless or do we trust God, that He will not let the matter go unsettled? I am so guilty of growing restless, which is probably why I spend so much time circling in the holding pattern. I fuss and worry and the things I worry about are the circumstances I have no control over and have entrusted to Him. God will not rest until the matter is accomplished. We must do our part and work diligently as Ruth, and have the audacity of Naomi to dare to dream bigger than we ever thought possible.
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us… Ephesians 3:20 NASB
God can do anything, you know — far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Ephesians 3:20 The Message
Piper
Dream big!
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