DAY 4: PRESERVING DIGNITY

Ruth's uncomfortable position did not end with picking up leftover grain. Her family's future depended on her marrying the family redeemer. And Naomi came up with a plan. Ruth was to lie down at Boaz's feet, asking him to marry her (Ruth 3). How embarrassing!

As a woman, I can think of few situations this daunting. What if he said no? Ruth would be the topic of every gossip circle in Bethlehem. But Boaz teaches us the meaning of true kindness yet again.Even though Ruth's unexpected marriage proposal must have caught Boaz off guard, he chose not to humiliate her. "So Ruth lay at Boaz's feet until the morning, but she got up before it was light enough for people to recognize each other. For Boaz had said, 'No one must know that a woman was here at the threshing floor'" (Ruth 3:14, NLT).

Have you ever thought about what it took of someone to ask you a favor? Or what person whom the latest gossip is about must be going through?

Since the days of Moses, God instructed his people to show kindness. Even when someone deserved punishment according to the law. "But never give more than forty lashes; more than forty lashes would publicly humiliate your neighbor" (Deuteronomy 25:3, NLT).

How do you react when someone is humiliated on television on social media? Who in your life is currently in a humiliating situation?

Let us show kindness by preserving the dignity of the people around us. God expects it of us. "The Lord mocks the mockers but is gracious to the humble" (Proverbs 3:34, NLT).

Scripture readings:

Ruth 3:1-18

Deut 25:3

Proverbs 3:34