慷慨仁慈的波阿斯
路得记三章10至18节
10波阿斯说：女儿啊，愿你蒙耶和华赐福。你末后的恩比先前更大；因为少年人无论贫富，你都没有跟从。
11女儿啊，现在不要惧怕，凡你所说的，我必照着行；我本城的人都知道你是个贤德的女子。
12我实在是你一个至近的亲属，只是还有一个人比我更近。
13你今夜在这里住宿，明早他若肯为你尽亲属的本分，就由他罢！倘若不肯，我指着永生的耶和华起誓，我必为你尽了本分，你只管躺到天亮。
14路得便在他脚下躺到天快亮，人彼此不能辨认的时候就起来了。波阿斯说：不可使人知道有女子到场上来；
15又对路得说：打开你所披的外衣。他打开了，波阿斯就撮了六簸箕大麦，帮他扛在肩上，他便进城去了。
16路得回到婆婆那里，婆婆说：女儿啊，怎么样了？路得就将那人向他所行的述说了一遍，
17又说：那人给了我六簸箕大麦，对我说：你不可空手回去见你的婆婆。
18婆婆说：女儿啊，你只管安坐等候，看这事怎样成就，因为那人今日不办成这事必不休息。
信息分享
波阿斯听了路得的解释后，先是称许她的品行，然后便答应会按照律法的规定来帮助她。但他告诉路得，他的夫家还有一个至亲的人，是比他更近的亲属，所以，他必然询问那人是否愿意作赎回的人。他嘱咐路得现在先放心安睡。
你猜路得此刻的心情会是怎样呢？她会不会思忖那位不知名的亲属究竟是个怎么样的人？她会否默然祷告，希望那人拒绝，以致她所认识的波阿斯能够娶她？她怎样熬过深夜至黎明这好几个钟头？她对神的信心能够帮助她吗？
在还未天亮的时候，波阿斯便唤醒路得，着她在众人未醒之前赶快离开，但临行之际，却仍然不忘送她六簸箕大麦。我们再一次看见波阿思的心思慎密和对人的体贴。
拿俄米的忠告非常有智慧，对于我们今天也非常管用。她说：「女儿，妳只管安坐等候。妳已经做了妳能够做的事，其余的事情就要看波阿斯怎样做，和神怎样带领了。妳可以相信这个人，他是个守信的人。」
许多时候，最难奈的事情就是安心等候神。无论对路得或我们而言，安心等待都绝非易事。然而，它却是我们经历许多考验时的最佳对策。正如诗人经常在诗篇呼吁人要「等候主，祂必坚固你的心」。这个忠告无论对路得和我们都非常管用。
经文反思：
「我曾耐心等候耶和华，他垂听我的呼求。」(诗四十1)
BOAZ THE GREAT HEART
Ruth 3:10-18
10 Then he said, “Blessed are you of the Lord, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich.
11 And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman.
12 Now it is true that I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I.
13 Stay this night, and in the morning it shall be that if he will perform the duty of a close relative for you—good; let him do it. But if he does not want to perform the duty for you, then I will perform the duty for you, as the Lord lives! Lie down until morning.”
14 So she lay at his feet until morning, and she arose before one could recognize another. Then he said, “Do not let it be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.”
15 Also he said, “Bring the shawl that is on you and hold it.” And when she held it, he measured six ephahs of barley, and laid it on her. Then she went into the city.
16 When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “Is that you, my daughter?”
Then she told her all that the man had done for her.
17 And she said, “These six ephahs of barley he gave me; for he said to me, ‘Do not go empty-handed to your mother-in-law.’”
18 Then she said, “Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day.”
Message
Boaz must have been a godly man. His greetings to his reapers in Ruth 2:4, and their response, together with his words to Ruth in each of these chapters give every indication of a man who lived close to God and loved his Word.
Boaz paid Ruth some beautiful compliments and agreed that he would help her as the law required. However, there was a closer relative than Boaz and he must be asked first if he would act as the kinsman-redeemer. In the meantime Ruth should lie quietly at his feet and try to sleep.
What do you think? Did she sleep with all this excitement going on? Did she think about this unknown relative who would have first choice? Did she wonder what he would be like? Did she silently pray that he might not be willing to act and thus Boaz, her friend and helper be able to marry her? What would a young woman's thoughts be during those hours from midnight to early dawn? Was her new faith able to take all of this?
Again Boaz shows his thoughtfulness and consideration. He loads her down with possibly over a bushel of grain and sends her home before anyone else was awake.
Naomi again has very sound words of advice. They can be used again and again today in many situations. 'Wait', she said, 'sit still. Take your hands off now. You have done all you can. Let's allow Boaz and the Lord to work out the next step. You can trust this man. He will do what he has promised.'
Waiting for the Lord is sometimes the hardest thing to do. It would not have been easy for Ruth and it is rarely easy for us. But it is the best advice that can be given in many situations. It is often repeated by the Psalmist-'Wait on the Lord and he will strengthen your heart'. Good advice for Ruth and good advice for us.
A VERSE FOR TODAY:
'I waited patiently for the Lord and he inclined unto me and heard my cry.' Psalm 40:1.