Courtship, Ruth-style

A sermon earlier this week in Chapel was on Ruth 3.

As I was reading it, I was struck by several profoundly counter-cultural ideas permeating the story of Ruth and Boaz.

1. Godliness over Beauty.
   In our culture, when we look for a partner, we look for someone attractive. Conversely, we aim to avoid people who are unattractive, whether physically, socially, or otherwise. But if you consider the story, both Ruth and Boaz are unattractive in the conventional sense. Ruth is a widow, is poor, and comes with baggage (see point 3). Boaz is old. But both of them are obviously of godly character, and are known to be of godly character.
2. Marriage, then sex. Obvious, but needs to be said. People want to suggest that when Ruth "uncovers Boaz' feet", it is a sexual euphemism, but that's because, in our culture, we can't imagine two lovers in such a position, and NOT having sex! (Notice, Naomi instruct Ruth; but being a widow, she didn't need sex ed classes!)
3. Finally, we are prone to thinking that our responsibilities in marriage end at our partner. But Ruth (the book) asserts that both husband and wife are marrying into the family. You inherit the family, and you need to look after their parents. You're responsible to provide for them, and Boaz is an exemplary example of doing this.