2008-12-21 - Ruth: Dress and Behavior of a Godly Woman

Installment 35 ~ Chapter 4, Part 6

Trait 6: The virtuous wife dressed with care. Modesty is sadly missing from out culture. In reality, a woman who is immodest doesn’t respect herself. I would think a woman would want a husband who loves her for more than just her looks. After all, once one turns old, one’s looks aren’t up to Britney Spears. Also, a man respects a woman who respects herself.

“Wash and perfume yourself, and put on 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.”

“She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. She is clothed with strength and dignity” (Ruth 3:3; Proverbs 31:22, 25a).

Trait 7: The virtuous wife is discreet with men. In many cultures, including orthodox Jews, men generally keep separate from women. Even today, an Orthodox woman would never be alone with a man other than her husband or family member. Granted, that is pretty unrealistic in our society, but the underlying attitude of total commitment to her husband isn’t.

“So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do. 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, and he turned and discovered 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 kinsman-redeemer.” “The LORD bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character. Although it is true that I am near of kin, there is a kinsman-redeemer nearer than I. Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to redeem, good, let him redeem. But if he is not willing, as surely as the LORD lives I will do it. Lie here until morning.”

“Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land” (Ruth 3:6-13; Proverbs 31:11, 12, 23).

Comments or Questions?
Geoff

GKragen@aol.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org

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