I Will Do as My Mother Says (Ruth 3:1–6)

I Will Do as My Mother Says (Ruth 3:1–6)                                 8/2/2026

 

In Ruth chapter 1, we reflected on the choice that the “remained ones” should enjoy lifelong through the choice made by Ruth, who chose God’s covenant even in the midst of failure and despair. Though Ruth had lost everything including her husband, God saw the covenant and the faith she chose.

In chapter 2, we saw how God practically blessed Ruth because she chose that covenant and faith. What appeared to be a coincidence was actually God’s precise guidance. He led her to meet the very person who would help her, making that the beginning of eternal blessings.

Chapter 3 teaches us how we can make such God-prepared meetings become actual blessings in our lives. There was someone who gave Ruth practical guidance and direction in every step. It was Naomi, whom Ruth determined to follow for the rest of her life.

Through Ruth, Naomi hoped to raise up an heir who would continue her deceased husband’s family line. She was not simply trying to arrange a remarriage. According to Israel’s covenant law, if someone married Ruth and had a child, that child would belong to Naomi’s deceased husband’s family.

This may seem like an unusual law, but it was God’s way of preserving His covenant people and protecting the land He had given them. Through those descendants, the twelve tribes of Israel would continue, and through the chosen tribe of Judah, Christ would eventually come. Therefore, Ruth needed to meet someone who could help both her and Naomi’s family.

That person was Boaz, the key figure in chapter 3, and Naomi was the one God used to lead Ruth into that meeting.

 

 

1. It is a great blessing to have someone who mentors and guides your life Who are these people? They are certainly human beings, but behind them stands the Holy Spirit, who sends them and works through them.

1) The Holy Spirit protects, guides, and trains believers who belong to God’s covenant through Christ.

① When we hear and believe the gospel of Christ, the promised Holy Spirit seals us and becomes the guarantee of our inheritance (Ephesians 1:13–14).

② When we do not know which way to go or fall into discouragement and despair, He intercedes for us and helps us (Romans 8:26).  Through God’s Word, He comforts us, gives us understanding, and leads us (John 14:26).

③ When Satan deceives us and brings difficulties, the Holy Spirit rules over us and gives us victory. This is the mystery of experiencing God’s Kingdom while living on earth (Matthew 12:28).

2) Whatever we do in life, we must do it while enjoying the blessing of the Holy Spirit.

① Whether studying, working, or running a business, do not simply do it. Receive the Holy Spirit’s guidance and experience His power and help.  Only then is a system established that can save yourself, your field of ministry, and the future. This is what is meant by the “300% blessing.”

② Only then do even our small tasks, our pain, and our tears become testimonies and masterpieces of God. Joseph was sold by his brothers, but God was actually leading him to Potiphar’s house, then to prison, and eventually to the palace. Ruth married into Naomi’s family and suffered greatly, yet even that suffering became part of God’s greater plan. This is also why Elisha continued following Elijah despite repeated discouragements (2 Kings 2:9).

③ Only then is God’s great desire placed within us, making us able to accomplish what He calls us to do(Philippians2:13). Joseph had no formal education or influential background, yet he became Egypt’s prime minister and saved Israel and countless lives (Genesis 41:38–39). He even saved a king who was tormented night after night. This is the blessing described in this year’s World Remnant Conference theme: “The Spiritual Emperor Who Saved the Emperor.” Likewise, people with little education—a shoe repairman, a brickmaker, even someone who was visually impaired—were able to influence and bless America because of this same spiritual mystery.

2. Whom did the Holy Spirit place beside Ruth and who did He use? These are the people God prepares and sends. Learning to recognize them is essential if we do not want to miss the blessings God has prepared for our lifetime.

1) God may use complete strangers. There are many examples of this in Scripture (Genesis 18:1–10; 19:12–13, 29). Those strangers were actually God’s angels (Psalm 62:6–7; Hebrews 1:14).

2) God often uses parents. This is one reason He gave us parents. Parents are called the priests of the home. For Ruth, Naomi became her only parent. Although Naomi herself had experienced overwhelming suffering, she faithfully led Ruth into God’s covenant. David’s father Jesse sent young David to tend the sheep while his older brothers were elsewhere. Later he sent David to the battlefield to deliver supplies. While shepherding sheep, David learned the heart of a shepherd and practiced using his sling. It was on that errand that he encountered Goliath. None of these events happened by accident. Therefore, parents should cultivate spiritual maturity, and children should obey their parents in the Lord (Ephesians 6:2–3).

3) God uses pastors who shepherd our souls (Hebrews 13:17). A pastor is not merely someone who preaches sermons. The biblical meaning of a shepherd is one who leads God’s people (John 21:15–17). Throughout David’s life, three prophets continually guided him, corrected him, and blessed him (Samuel, Nathan, Gad).

 

 

3. What blessing did Ruth ultimately receive? She met Boaz, and through him God gave her a completely new beginning.

1) What kind of man was Boaz?

① Ruth 2:1 tells us he was a man of great standing and influence. Yet he was not merely powerful—he was generous. During harvest he intentionally allowed extra grain to remain for the poor and for pilgrims to gather. He was also thoughtful and careful in every decision. Even when Ruth came to him at the threshing floor, he followed the proper legal procedures rather than acting impulsively.

② More importantly, Boaz willingly accepted Ruth, a woman who had lost everything, as his wife and gave her a son. For this reason, many theologians view Boaz as a prophetic picture, or type, of the coming Christ. His love symbolizes God’s hesed (steadfast covenant love) (Psalms 107:1; 118:1; 136:1).  He protected and gave life to a Gentile woman (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). He served as the kinsman-redeemer, giving her an eternal inheritance (Hebrews 9:15).

2) What is the most important encounter in our own lives?

① It is meeting someone who introduces us to Christ and helps us understand the gospel. Such a person helps us receive the priceless and eternal gifts of eternal life and an everlasting inheritance.

② It is meeting someone who continually helps us know Christ more deeply, so that the gospel becomes imprinted in our hearts, takes root, and becomes part of our very nature. This is why Ruth followed Naomi, and that blessing ultimately led her to Boaz.

③  It is meeting those who helped and guided us during our times of difficulty. Treasure such relationships and hold onto them as lifelong blessings. One reason God greatly used David was because he valued and honored such relationships (2 Samuel 9:1; 19:37).

 

 

Conclusion – Why did God choose and use Ruth? Although she was a Gentile who had endured many painful and hopeless experiences, she was not defined by those hardships. She chose God’s covenan, she entrusted everything to God, and she looked to His grace. Most importantly, Ruth was not merely obeying her mother-in-law. She was following the will of God through Naomi’s guidance. May this become a lifelong blessing for each of us as well.

8.2.26 I Will Do as My Mother Says