Ruth: Modesty & Chastity

Anna Brownell Jameson is credited with the saying, "Modesty and chastity are twins." Of course, we know the Scriptures would support such an ideal—modesty representing what we show to the world, chastity representing what we withhold from the world. There are several applications for these twin ideas: wealth, status, and clothing … a more sensitive topic, however, would be that of sexuality. The societal depiction of womanhood is askew. At the time, we would say that men were at fault for their objectivity. Now, with sexualization harmonized with identity, women have joined in the embrace of unhinged lewdness. Some of the women who stand out in the minds of young women say things far too explicit to even share on the topic of sexuality. There is a severe need to return to modesty and chastity. 

I suggest to women everywhere that a biblical standard for self-control is evident (1 Pet 1:13, 15-16). The Bible would infallibly prove that point within itself. It would even praise such. Enter in Ruth.

Ruth is a woman seeking companionship, more than that - marriage. That has become her mission as we progress from Ruth 2 to Ruth 3. She makes her desire for Boaz very clear and goes through steps to show that to him. On one occasion, she goes, upon Naomi's advice, to the threshing floor where Boaz has been working. When he rests for the night, she comes into the room and lies at his feet. Awakened, Boaz seeks to know who is there, and she responds with her name. The night progresses with conversation and rest. Ruth still desires Boaz to act as her redeemer, to marry her.

Now, here is the lesson. For many in our present society, if Ruth wants what she wants, she needs to make that known sexually. She must act as a fleshly charmer, attaching herself to his weaknesses (as did Delilah with Samson). She needs to be showing him what could be his. The way Ruth went about it was different. She wore her cloak, the outer garment (which has the same root as the word "contain"), and she departed before speculations could arise. She was careful with the impression she gave Boaz and the impression she gave any possible onlookers. She didn't act by fleshly desire but by decency. Ruth forever stands as an example of modesty and chastity, the proper way a woman should show herself (1 Tim 2:9-10)