It’s one of my favorite scenes in the Bible. Boaz awakes suddenly, turns over to find a woman next to him and her words were, “Will you cover me please?” Well, not in those specific words. That’s the Andy Lee paraphrase.
This is how Ruth 3: 9 reads:
There have been many debates about the specifics of that night. But on this side of heaven, all I can really say is I believe this was a brave marriage proposal. She boldly asked to be redeemed rather than waiting for the redeemer to propose.
But this is the thing about the Bible. Every story tells us about God. Yes, this story is often categorized as a love story between Boaz and Ruth, but it’s so much more. This is about God’s love story with you.
We Need to be Covered
From Genesis to Revelation God covers those He loves. Though Adam and Eve didn’t trust Him and followed the Serpent’s commands to eat the forbidden fruit, He covered them. The translation actually says He clothed them, but that’s what clothes do, right? They cover our otherwise naked bodies. Some say that this covering was the first time blood was spilled. An animal had to be killed in order for his fur to be used to cover their shame. (They knew no shame before they didn’t trust God.)
They were naked and unashamed, but after the fall, in His loving-kindness, God covered their shame. Even in the midst of their disobedience He provided.
And then there was Jesus
Clothes can only cover our bodies; they cannot cover the shame inside, the hurt and sin no one else can see. So, in His love God did the unthinkable. He provided something much better than an animal skin. He provided Himself through His Son.
In ancient days the Law provided for a destitute family member or widowed woman to be bought back into the family by a kinsman-redeemer. The story of Ruth and Boaz is a perfect representation of the power of the redeemer’s blood. Only the one whose blood carried the family DNA could redeem, could cover, could bring the lost one back into the family or marriage covenant. Because of this, the redeemer could purchase the family member back.
It’s so rich and beautiful. Come study with me this week. Here’s a preview of the printable you can use during your quiet time. Read through each scripture and prompt to fully get what God has done. It is so powerful my friends. Come discover if you are covered.
Bite of Bread Reading Plan- Covered by Jesus
Monday: Ruth 3:9
“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.”
Prompt: This is one of my favorite scenes in the Bible. Boaz is freaking out, and Ruth tells him what to do in a calm voice (I imagine.) How did Ruth introduce herself? How is this different than before? Does the word “servant” change their relationship?
Tuesday: Ruth 3: 9 again (above.)
Prompt: What did Ruth ask Boaz to do and what reason did she give? Ruth didn’t wait for Boaz to redeem. She asked. Can you apply this to anything in your life right now? Is there anything you need to bravely do?
Digital Free Printable
Wednesday: Ezekiel 16:8
“‘Later I passed by, and when I looked at you and saw that you were old enough for love, I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your naked body. I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Sovereign Lord, and you became mine.”
Prompt: This is God speaking to Israel. It was written years after Ruth, but I do believe it is symbolic of what happened on the threshing floor in Bethlehem. Ruth was asking Boaz to cover her. Exposed, perhaps naked, but definitely in a vulnerable position. Ruth asked for a covenant to be made that night, a covenant of protection and ownership. She wanted to belong to Boaz. Is it good to be vulnerable to God? Why?
Let’s connect covering and covenant, from the Old Testament to the New. Keep in mind that throughout the Bible God uses the imagery of marriage. The church is His bride just as Jerusalem became His bride in the passage in Ezekiel. He has made a way to cover us.
Thursday: Romans 4: 5-7
However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. 6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
7 “Blessed are those
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
Prompt: Whose sins are covered? (V. 5) Do you find that hard to do? Why? Did Ruth have to trust Boaz?
Optimize Your Quiet Time
Friday: Revelation 5: 9-10:
9 And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and
nation.
10 You have made them to be a kingdom and
priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth.”
Prompt: Do you remember what Ruth told Boaz he was? A kinsman-redeemer, a Ga-al. Ga-al always paid a price to redeem the relative. He possessed the family blood that positioned him to redeem by paying the price. So did Jesus. Both of the family of God and man, in the line of David, Jesus redeemed mankind. And for those who’ve trusted and asked to be covered, to come into a covenant with Him we’ve become servants and priest. What does that mean?
Have you told Jesus you want His covering? Remember, when you tell Him this, it involves a covenant. A marriage. If you are already married, now you have two husbands—Jesus and your current husband. It’s okay. A marriage to Jesus will only benefit your earthly one. Write a prayer to Jesus. Allow yourself to be completely ervah (vulnerable) before Him. Hide nothing. Tell Him you desperately need and want His covering. If you’ve been covered by Christ for many years, it’s always good to renew your vows.
(Ruth Bible study, p. 183)
Virtual Bible Study (You can wear your pajamas!)
We’ll dig deeper Wednesday night at 7:30 PM ET on Facebook. But if you can’t meet with us then, you can watch later on my YouTube channel. Here’s the link to last week in case you missed it or want to see what it’s like. We talked about those things we desperately want to change.
Covered and Redeemed!
Andy
[…] commands to sneak into the threshing floor. When Boaz awoke and realized Ruth lay next to him (and she asked him to cover her) he called her a woman of “chayil.” You’ll read this scripture in the Bible […]