The Book of Ruth—
When "Just Friends" Isn't Enough: An Awkward Harvest

—Ruth 2:3 NLT So Ruth went out to gather grain behind the harvesters. And as it happened, she found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz, the relative of her father-in-law, Elimelech.

•Over the last 50 years, marriage rates in the U.S. have dropped by nearly 60%.
•63% of men under the age of 30 are choosing to be single.
•77% of millennials prefer to live with their partner before marriage.

— Ruth 3:1-2 NIV One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided for. Now Boaz … is a relative of ours. Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor.”

— Ruth 3:3 NIV Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking.”

— Ruth 3:4-6 NIV “When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do.” “I will do whatever you say,” Ruth answered. So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do.

Even if you don’t get it right, God can still make it right.

— Ruth 3:7-9 NIV When Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he went over to lie down at the far end of the grain pile. Ruth approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down. In the middle of the night something startled the man; he turned—and there was a woman lying at his feet! “Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family.”

Guardian-Redeemer: a relative who had the responsibility and privilege to provide for a family member in time of need

—Song of Songs 8:4 NLT Promise me, O women of Jerusalem, not to awaken love until the time is right.

If you do what most people do,
you’ll get what most people get.

— Ruth 3:11 NIV "And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character.”

—Ruth 3:12-13 NIV. “Although it is true that I am a guardian-redeemer of our family, there is another who is more closely related than I. Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to do his duty as your guardian-redeemer, good; let him redeem you. But if he is not willing, as surely as the Lord lives I will do it. …”

Lessons We’re Learning

•It’s often wise to put yourself in the right place to increase the odds of meeting the right person.
•Don’t overlook those who are right in front of you.
•Sometimes you may have to go after what you want.
•Even if you don’t get it right, God can still make it right.
•If you want a marriage that honors God in the future, live a life that honors God today.

Who is Jesus to you?
-Just a historical figure?
-Guy you like?
-Casual commitment?

Lord. Savior. Redeemer. King