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Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.” And his armor-bearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart. Do as you wish. Behold, I am with you heart and soul.”

Jonathan had lived most of his life in his father’s shadow, that’s how it goes for sons of powerful kings. Jonathan felt the draw to follow the Lord’s leading, and he had those with him who were faithful. Wherever Jonathan would go, his armor bearer would follow. It wasn’t just a duty, his heart was with Jonathan’s heart, and Jonathan’s heart was the Lord’s. Whether you find yourself a Jonathan following the Lord’s will, or you are following someone you know has God’s mission as their core, it makes no difference. Both of you will be on the winning side.

Is not Boaz our relative, with whose young women you were? See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. Wash therefore and anoint yourself, and put on your cloak and go down to the threshing floor, but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. But when he lies down, observe the place where he lies. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what to do.” And she replied, “All that you say I will do.”

Naomi had a plan for Ruth to snag a man. This was not a cynical backhanded conniving strategy… but it was honest. Far too often we think the good things we desire will just drop from the sky if we simply “wish upon a star.” Maybe it’s too many Disney princess movies. Marriage is a good thing, marrying someone “worthy” (like Boaz) is a great thing. Go out and make it happen. Not in spite of God’s will, but in accordance with it. Don’t spend your life away from godly men and women and then complain that you can’t find a godly man or woman to marry. Don’t complain about not having a good job, but never do anything to make yourself worthy of that career your desire. Don’t mope around about how you never get anything done, and then spend all your free time on the internet or watching TV. Know what God calls good, then go out and get it.  

Now Naomi had a relative of her husband’s, a worthy man of the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz.

Boaz, at this point, was Ruthless (that’s a joke). He was a “worthy man.” It’s important for men to be men and to be well through of by others. What does it matter how you would act when a crisis arises if no one already trusts you to bring it to your attention. Had Boaz not been known as a “worthy man” he probably would have never met Ruth… and it is through Ruth and Boaz that Jesus eventually came. Be an honorable man and let that be known. A good reputation is a wonderful goal when your name is associated with Christ. It matters what people think.

And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What evil is this that has taken place among you? 13 Now therefore give up the men, the worthless fellows in Gibeah, that we may put them to death and purge evil from Israel.” But the Benjaminites would not listen to the voice of their brothers, the people of Israel. 14 Then the people of Benjamin came together out of the cities to Gibeah to go out to battle against the people of Israel.

Benjamin was more concerned with protecting their own than justice. Seek what is right, don’t worry about “who’s team” anyone is on. We make ourselves look wicked when we defend someone simply because they are “one of us.” We should hold our own “tribe” to an even higher standard and not allow even the hint of evil among us so that we are not put in the position to be defending someone who is in the wrong. Jesus is the judge, we don’t get to “slide” because we’re his.

And he went in and sat down in the open square of the city, for no one took them into his house to spend the night.

It is always God’s people’s responsibility to look for those who have need and meet that need in the name of the Lord. The Levite and his group had to wait for the old man from the hill country of Ephraim to show him hospitality. Don’t be rude to people in Jesus’ name. Care for them. When there’s a genuine need, meet it, and speak the truth of the gospel with both your mouth and your actions.