Heart Over Appearance

“You have shown your last kindness to be better than the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich.” Ruth 3:10b

How do you discern people when you first meet them? It is a great mistake to assume just because someone is charismatic and likeable that they are holy.

Boaz was astounded when Ruth approached him for marriage. He was older and as far as anyone knows had never been married. I do wonder if that had to do with the fact that his mother was Rahab, the famous prostitute from Jericho. Many would have judged and rejected him. To this very day, a person is not considered a Jew unless their mother is Jewish. If a child is born to a Jewish father and a non-Jewish mother, they have to convert to Judaism. Ruth could have asked a younger male relative to marry her, but she didn’t. Naomi and Ruth knew that Boaz was the right choice.

Do we have the same wisdom as these two women? Or do we get swept away with our emotions over how other people make us feel? I have seen so many people be deceived because someone poured on the flattery. They assumed because the flatterer said that they were great that they had to be great as well. The most problematic people I have known have been the most charismatic. Many of the most holy people in the Bible were depressed, blunt, and a little abrasive. Look at the prophets. People hated them because they spoke the truth given to them by God.

So the next time you meet someone new, ask God for wisdom. He won’t withhold it from you.

Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
You are the only, all-knowing God, Who reads hearts. Forgive me for the times when I have gotten taken in by flattery and deception. Give me wisdom.
In Jesus Name,
Amen