So She Went Down to the Threshing Floor and Did According to All That Her Mother-In-Law Instructed Her

Ruth went down to the threshing floor as a bride adorned for her bridegroom. Perhaps it wasn’t so easy this time to do “according to all that her mother-in-law instructed her.” Yet she was faithful and resisted all temptations. Naomi, without using words, sensed a kinship in her spirit with Boaz, and Boaz certainly noticed that there was a tested, spiritual leader behind Ruth. And he admired Ruth’s obedience. Boaz would certainly have noticed if Ruth had strayed from Naomi’s leading, and she would have fallen in his estimation. Wisdom is full of commandments and laws. For as long as a person is carnal, the commandments will act as commandments; but by exercising ourselves in fulfilling them completely according to what they say, these same commandments will become laws, the laws come alive, and the life will then become our life. Blessed is everyone who through the leading of the Spirit fully does what God’s wisdom and knowledge promises us.

Paul was very strict when it came to the Gentiles doing exactly what he told them to do. We read in 2 Thessalonians 3:14: “And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.”