Can God Be Trusted

Ruth 3

Ruth 3

Read the covenant section.Covenant: A Brief Overview

The animals had been slain—cut in half down the spine.

Their bright blood stained the stones, the dirt, the grass,

vying with sprinklets of wildflowers in their display of

color. A covenant was being cut.

The two men stood opposite one another. Each

removed his own robes and handed them to the other,

then clothed himself in his covenant brother’s garment.

I am putting on you… and you me. We are one.

Picking up their weapons from the ground, each

handed the other his sword, his bow. By this action

they understood…

Your enemies are now mine… and mine yours.

Then they handed each other their belts.

When you are weak, my strength will be there for you.

In a figure-eight path, both walked through the

pieces of flesh lying opposite one another. It was a walk

into death.

I am dying to my independent living… and to my

rights.

They swore by an oath as they pointed first to

heaven—

God, do so to me…

and then to the slain animals.

If I break this covenant!

Then each made a cut on his wrist, and with a

handclasp the two men mingled their blood.

It is agreed: We—once two—have now become one.

In turn each recited what he owned and what he

owed; from this day forward they would share all their

resources.

What is mine is yours… what is yours is mine.

Each reached down and scooped up dirt mingled

with small stones and rubbed this abrasive into the cut

in his wrist.

Wherever I am, when I lift my hand and see the scar,

I will remember I have a covenant partner.

They exchanged new names.

Because of covenant I have a new identity.

They sat down to partake of a covenant meal. One

broke bread and placed it in his covenant partner’s

mouth; then the other did the same.

You are eating me, and I you.

Finally a memorial was set up—a pile of stones, a

planted tree, a written contract—as a testimony of the

covenant they had made.

Now I call you Friend—my friend who sticks closer

than a brother.1 Ruth Coghill Women of Wisdom series coppies

Talk about Ruth 1:16 “Your people will be my people etc.

Read 3:1-6

Naomi trying to provide for her daughter. Naomi refers to them as we, very inclusive. Also indicating Naomis acceptance of the covenant Ruth made with her.

When we are in covenant relationship that is healthy there is a level of trust that you don’t bat an eye at requests of the other.

Naomi said get ready, wash put on perfume, in the ESV translation it says to anoint yourself and then put on your best clothes. There is an anointing in the preparation. Not many people like the prep work but it’s holy.

Naomi then said,

I want you to go and survey the the threshing floor to watch we’re Boaz lays down for the night.

There is a stop and prepare and then a go and stop and watch what is happening. Know specifically where your target is. And then it is a wait.

Sometimes we get to a location, right location but God needs to make ready the other party first.

At the right time go.

There is a right time for everything. God is in the pauses, in the speeding up, of bringing people together from two unlikely sources and make the most beautiful covenant.

The best covenant relationship is the one I have with Jesus. Who is a descendant of Ruth.