They Were Not Cohabiting

So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law. Ruth 2:23 KJV

For two seasons, barley and wheat harvest, Ruth continued to work in Boaz fields. By now she knew Boaz liked her. One expert reports that barley and wheat “the main food staple of the ancient Israelite” was harvested. Here are the details: ” Barley and wheat were planted in the autumn and ripened in spring. Barley matured faster and would be harvested sooner. The firstfruits of grain offered during the Festival of Unleavened Bread would have been barley”. Why do we need to take you into these agricultural seasons? Simply to demonstrate that for a period of more than six to nine months, the story is not told that Ruth packed to go and live with Boaz. Compare that to what happens in our times. In a study reported in March, 2023, a Standford University study says, ”… American couples and their dating patterns found that 25% of couples moved in together after four months, 50% moved in after a year, and 70% had moved in with each other after two years. But after four years of dating, 10% of couples still had not made the leap to live together…” This is not just a matter of societal culture. Its a matter of morals, integrity and the fear of God. Don’t accept the argument that its because they had no chance. Read the concluding statement. Why was it written that she still lived with Naomi. She did not move in. Cohabitation has ruined many hones. It is worse when a child of God tries to justify it. Hold on. Let God work it through unto marriage.