Sermon Tone Analysis

The God who Saves and Provides

Introduction

The Lovingkindness of Yahweh.

The book of Ruth is the historical record of the lovingkindness of the Lord God demonstrated through his interactions with his people.

This way of speaking about God is the Old Testament’s primary way of expressing his covenantal love, or his steadfast love, or even grace.

Ps. 136:1— "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

This loyal love, or faithful favour, or lovingkindness is one of the key themes of the book of Ruth.

Over two sessions, we will look at four ways that we see this theme of lovingkindness expressed.

Session 1 will focus on Ruth 1-2; and Session 2 on Ruth 3-4.

Yahweh demonstrates his lovingkindness by drawing sinners to himself.

Scene 1: The Journey to Moab Setting the stage and introducing the characters

One of the greatest achievements as an author would be to write an iconic opening line to a novel.

“Call me Ishmael.”—

Moby Dick "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.”—

Pride and Prejudice “It was the best of times, and it was the worst of times.”—

A Tale of Two Cites Ruth has one of the most underrated opening lines in the Bible.

v1- This is not so much a time marker, but a theological marker.

As we read these words a chill should run down our spines as we think, “oh no, not then.”

This book will take place against the darkest of Old Testament backdrops: the time of the Judges.

Just as the stars can be seen most clearly when the night sky is darkest, so too will the character of God shine forth in incredible brightness in this terrible time in Redemptive History.

Remember the ending of Judges, “In those days there was no king in Israel.

Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”

v1 goes on to record the reason for the journey to Moab, “there was a famine in the land…”

We are not told anything more than this brief explanation, but we must connect the time period (Judges) with the Spiritual tenor of the nation (rebellion & idolatry).

The result is that we see the famine not as a meteorological phenomena, but as a covenant curse of the God of Israel.

Dt. 28:22-24, because of the disobedience of Israel, there was a famine in the house of bread (Bethlehem).

v1-2 We are further introduced to Elimelech and his family.

Who, during the time of famine move from Bethlehem to Moab.

Again, when we read those words, it is as if the author is poking us in the ribs and saying, “Did you hear what I just wrote!?

They willingly went to Moab!” His actions may not seem sinful at first glance, but we must not read our experience of a transient culture back into the text and miss the seriousness of Elimelech’s actions.

For Elimelech to move, it was tantamount to saying, “God, I will be better able to provide for my family than you will.”

Elimelech was far safer in Israel during a famine than he was in Moab during a time of feasting.

By going to Moab, Elimelech undid the work of God through Joshua and the victory in Canaan.

He is going backwards in the redemptive story of the Bible.

Elimelech willingly giving up the land in favour of being a sojourner is not that dissimilar from the Hebrew church being tempted to give up the substance in favour of the shadow.

Or, stated another way, this is tantamount to taking a job knowing there is no church in a particular area with no plans for spiritual nourishment.

Elimelech is the ‘everyman’ of the book of Judges.

Unlike some of the more famous examples, his sin are not visibly repulsive, but he too does ‘what is right in his own eyes’.

(21:25)

What is worse, is that Elimelech’s name means “God is my king.”

By going to Moab he ignored the covenant, the promises of God, but also his name.

A constant reminder that he was living a lie.

From this point forward, Elimelech reaps 100 fold the disobedience he sows.

In quick succession, Elimelech dies, his sons marry foreign wives, before eventually dying themselves.

In the end, Naomi buries three bodies in Moab and is left with two Moabite daughters in law.

Scene 2: The Fork in the Road

It is this point of darkness that the Lord visits his people and gives them food (v6).

This is another reason to believe that the famine was from the hand of God himself.

These first few verses record much of the cycle of the book of judges in miniature, God brings about curses which drive his people to desperation and repentance after which he delivers them.

The three women travel some distance together before arriving at a fork in the road, a moment of decision.

At this juncture, Naomi blesses both women (v8) but urges them to return.

She acknowledges the kindness (lovingkindness) they have both shown to her and to her sons, and prays for their blessing.

What happens next is often forgotten, both Orpah and Ruth refuse to leave Naomi.

Orpah really is a model daughter-in-law.

Humanly speaking, there seems to be little difference between her love and Ruth’s.

The book does not condemn Orpah for abandoning Naomi, but her actions highlight Ruth’s the incredible decision.

Naomi turns to her daughters-in-law, and makes the worst (or best) sales pitch for continuing with her on her journey.

(v10-13)

She tells them, “You will have nothing if you come with me.

You will not marry because no Israelite would marry you, and you will not get any other sons from me.

What’s worse, even if I had a son tonight, and you waited for him, he might not even marry you because you would be too old then.

You will have nothing if you come with me.”

Finally, Orpah comes to her senses and makes the decision to return.

Ruth realizes that the stakes are fare more significant than even Naomi may recognise.

For her, the choice is clear "Yahweh plus nothing in Bethlehem

or everything minus Yahweh in Moab” (Ferguson) Ruth doesn’t choose Bethlehem, or even Naomi over a simple straightforward life in Moab.

She chooses Bethlehem and Naomi because she has been converted by the lovingkindness of God.

Notice her language v15-16— Exodus 6:7; Leviticus 26:12

Conversion has taken place.

Underwhelming response from Naomi displays her emptiness.

Scene 3: The Return to Bethlehem

When Naomi returns she creates quite a stir.

Perhaps learning from Elimelech, she refuses to live a lie concerning her name.

She proceeds to lament and explain how bitter he life has become.

What is interesting, is that she never accuses God of somehow losing control of the events in her life.

Her “bitter complaint [is] cloaked in firm faith.”

Hubbard At the end of v21 we have seen the Lord draw Naomi back to himself in repentance, and draw Ruth to himself in conversion.

God will save his own, regardless of the length to which he must go.

There is no person too far for God’s arm, not even in Moab.

In the hidden purposes of God, Naomi is the vehicle of salvation, even as Ruth is the vehicle for Naomi’s redemption.

Yahweh demonstrates his lovingkindness by drawing sinners to himself.

Yahweh demonstrates his lovingkindness by protecting and providing for his people.

The Lord Prepares the Situation (v1:22-2:3)

1:22 is one of my favourite verses in the book of Ruth.

After all that has taken place in chapter 1, it is easy to forget that Ruth and Naomi’s trials have only just begun.

Even though Naomi has turned back to God, and Ruth has been converted, these are still two women without any land, money, jobs, or family.

It is almost as if, at this point someone would cry out, “What are God’s people to do for food on their way to heaven?” Anticipating that question, the Lord gives us v22, “And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.”

This verse signals to us that all is not lost, and perhaps this reversal is a sign of larger things to come.

The Lord was providentially preparing people, circumstances and events according to his good decree.

There is a great difference between a miracle and providence.

5.3 (1689) “In His ordinary providence, God makes use of means,7 though He is free to work apart from them,8 beyond them9 and contrary to them10 at His pleasure.”

‘Contrary to them’ Daniel 3:27 It is at this point that the book of Ruth, we see some similarities to a sister book, Esther.

In both these books, we see the way that God accomplishes his purposes through the normal operations, we call this providence.

In contrast with the book of Exodus, and his incredible miracles of deliverance, the book of Ruth concentrates on God’s care for his people through their daily lives.

v1—He prepares the Right man:

He is a kinsman of Elimelech— and therefore the potential for a godly marriage.

(This is repeated in verse1, 3 and v4 by implication).

He is wealthy— and will be able to provide for Naomi and Ruth He is a godly man— notice his greeting to his gleaners in v4.

(A person’s first words in Scripture are often significant).

v3— It is here that we see the understated style of the narrator.

He says that Ruth “happened to come…” After describing this perfect candidate for a redeemer, we read, it just so happened.