“Don’t Wait … Act!” - 1/22/25

 

In the last verse of Ruth 3 and the first few of Ruth 4, we see a character trait in Boaz that should be in all of us. Ruth 3:18 records Naomi’s confidence that since Boaz promised he was going to fulfill his role as a “near kinsman,” he was going to act within the next 24 hours. Ruth 4:1-3 reveals that is precisely what happened. He did not put this work off. He did not wait until it was a “convenient time” like Felix (Acts 24:25). Boaz didn’t say he was still busy with the harvest and couldn’t go yet (even though he was busy!). Boaz stopped what he was doing to do the most important thing. It was then taken care of in a matter of moments (v. 2-10). What he did that day changed not only the course of his life but changed the course of history (v. 21-22).

 

I am impressed that after promising Ruth what he would do (Ruth 3:13), he spared no time getting that work done (Ruth 4:1-8)! He had the attitude of Abraham, who, when told to go sacrifice his son (Gen. 22:2), “rose up early in the morning” the next day (Gen. 22:3) to do it. 

 

Boaz’s descendant, Jesus Christ, came to this world to live, suffer, and die on the cross. In fact, the Bible says it was “when the fulness of time was come” that it happened (Gal. 4:4). In other words, He got here right on time! He did not hesitate nor somehow put off His work for the Father for another time. Since He left us an example to follow in His steps (I Pet. 2:21), should we not also fight against procrastination, especially when it involves our soul’s salvation?

 

Procrastination, to actively put off doing something you know you need to do, is a curse on man. I am sure we can think of times when procrastination resulted in our missing out on something that would benefit us. Spiritually, procrastination can jeopardize our souls if we are not careful. Earlier, we referred to Felix’s excuse that he would wait for a “convenient time” to call upon Paul and obey the gospel (Acts 24:25). So far as the Bible is concerned, that time never came! Paul wrote to the Corinthians and told them, “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (II Cor. 6:2). The Hebrew writer proclaimed, “To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts” (Heb. 3:15). It is evident that God does not want us to wait or procrastinate when it comes to making a decision about being saved from sin (Acts 2:36-41, 8:36-38, 22:16, 16:33).

 

What will you do? Will you learn from Boaz and refuse to procrastinate on the subject that means more than anything else (Matt. 16:26)?

 

- Jarrod M. Jacobs