Woo him, and uncover his feet!

Woo him, and uncover his feet! 

“For the LORD has created a new thing in the earth - A woman shall encompass a man.”  (Jeremiah 31:22, NJK)Encompass: to surround and protect.  

“For the Lord has created a new thing in the land [of Israel]; 
a female shall compass (Woo, Win and protect) a man.” (Jeremiah 31:22, Amplified)

Yesterday we focused on the translation of Jeremiah 31:22, that spoke of the woman protecting the man through prayer and encouraging words.  Today we look at the word “compass” as the woman wooing or winning the man!   This is a bit risky - or rather risque!  

The note in the NLV: “A woman will court a suitor.” 

The note from the Amplified:  “To ‘compass’ is to woo and win. That the early translators attached that meaning to it is clear from the fact that Shakespeare, their contemporary, so used it (Charles Ellicott, A Bible Commentary). Probably the implication is that Israel, the erring but deeply penitent wife, instead of going about after other lovers will devote herself to winning back and being worthy of the love of her divine Husband and Lord, Who had rejected her.”

The bride of Christ, the Church, wooing her Bridegroom.

Ruth & Boaz

Take a look at Ruth 3, where you will find some keys for women who are seeking the “security or rest” of marriage.  This morning, for the first time, I saw Naomi as the Holy Spirit.  The name Naomi means “Delightful Renewal.”   

Ruth was serving Naomi, and throughout the book it is noted that Ruth was kind; she served with kindness (Hebrew: Hessed).  Ruth was submitted to Naomi, and trusted her enough to do the most risky and unconventional things, as Naomi instructed.  

“And she said to her, ‘All that you say to me I will do.’”  

Do you say, “All that you say to me I will do” to the Holy Spirit?  It is His voice above all the others we need to hear, trust and obey on this journey.   There are so many “rules” about dating, and I have been diligent to try to relate to men according to the books I read, or advice from friends, because it appears that something is not working.  As you know, friends and books will be quick to try to fix you, or fix you up.  

BUT GOD!  

I love the message in Ruth because there was a time of waiting and a journey away from the comforts of the old season.  Ruth chose to take her eyes and focus off of her own circumstances, to selflessly serve Naomi.  It was risky, and took courage!  Only the creativity of God would then tell Ruth to wait until Boaz was a little intoxicated, then go to him, late at night, and show him that she was “available for marriage.” (The Message) 

Oh my!   Release the expectations of how your story play out, and open your heart and spirit to the creative directives from the Holy Spirit.  

Declarations:

Thank you Lord that Your ways are higher than our ways!  We trust You with ALL of our hearts, and we lean not on our own understanding.  Thank You for Your faithfulness!  And (as my mother would say) we stand on tiptoe waiting with expectancy to see what You are going to do!   

• We submit to You - Father God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit.

• Give us ears to hear Your voice above all others, that we will obey Your directions, no matter how unconventional.  

• Impart to us kindness, Hessed, so that while we are waiting for that moment with our Boaz, we will serve others with kindness.  

• Lord, we declare that the men (or women) You have appointed for us to meet will feed on your Word; and they will be filled with the New Wine of the Holy Spirit.  

• We declare the intoxication of the Spirit to come over the men who are called to Kingdom Marriages!  Make them full of cheer & joy!

• Wash away their disappointments and the cares of the world with the New Wine.  

• Cause them to lie down in submission to Your Holy Spirit, and rest with You.  

• We declare that anything covering or hiding the feet of the men, to be removed;  and Lord, make the men uncomfortable, give them a chill in the night, that they will notice someone is missing; until they AWAKE to meet their wives!  

• We declare that when the men awake, we will have the boldness, courage and trust in You Lord to identify ourselves as their wives - according to Your unique instructions.  

• We declare the Word Boaz spoke over Ruth:  “Fear Not!”  and we are known as virtuous women; women of strength (worth, bravery and capability!)  

AMEN!  

Expecting to be amazed ~

Barbara

© Barbara Nelson – 2011