Redeemer - God's Plan Unfolds
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Todays message is about God’s Plan unfolding - The Lord’s plan is REVEALED
This is not a plan that Ruth and Boaz are sitting by a tree watching it unfold
but rather one that is showing God’s overreaching providence
God is working through Ruth and Boaz
Last week we studied the amazing story of Obedience and Action
Ruth listened to Naomi and followed the path that was suggested.
We ended our message last week with the amazing three words
from Ruth. Spoken as a request
SPREAD YOUR WINGS
we offered to look that that statement in POWER AND PROTECTION
both the vision of an eagle’s power and the hens protection of her young
the rest of that Scripture says for you are my REDEEMER
that is the main point of our study of Ruth.
Our Redeemer
if you take a look at verse 3:18
Ruth 3:18 “18 She replied, “Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest but will settle the matter today.””
isn’t that a great reminder for us today
That Jesus will never rest,
Jesus is always at work in bringing us to perfection
Jesus is preparing his bride (US)
and our message today is the same
Boaz is not going to rest
Boaz is going to follow the law for God is a loving and Just God
Open you Bible today to Chapter 4 of Ruth
Boaz takes Action
Boaz takes Action
To understand fully what Boaz is doing we need to take a look at the KINSMAN- REDEEMER concept in Jewish life.
The Kinsman- redeemer is a relative who restores or preserves the full community rights of a disadvantaged family member.
The concept arises from God’s covenant relationship with Israel and points to the redemption of humanity in Jesus Christ.
this law is listed in Leviticus
so our text tells us that Boaz GOES TO THE GATE
A gated entrance to a city. These were often locations for doing business or for legal proceedings
God's plan unfolds when we submit to the directed steps of our Lord
it is interesting that the name of the person, the redeemer, the one that should have stepped up is NOT mentioned in the Scripture.
Bethlehem is a small village, and Boaz would have know him
Yet it may simply be a matter of the writer of Ruth not wanting to forever shame the man, or give the man honor in God’s word.
BUT i believe it was BOAZ that God desired in the Lineage of Christ, not this other man
As we see the man is more like Orpah than Ruth
the man is given the opportunity to follow the law, but due to personal earthly consequence he accepts and then refuses.
This is the second time in the Book of Ruth that we see this occur.
The honorable issue accepted and then upon quick appraisal the decision is overturned.
We don’t know the nature of the sale, but that Naomi is selling it.
It is likely due to Israel property law, that because Naomi was a woman she only held the right to use the land until remarriage or death
it is likely that Elimelech sold the land prior to going to Moab, that Naomi would have the right to use the land and to buy it back upon return from the current owner.
We know that Naomi did not have the means to purchase the land, and was likely selling the “right to redeem it”
it may be a wiser translation of the Hebrew that “Naomi was disposing of her rights to the land” --- this would be more in line with Israelite property laws at the time.
Boaz is a wise man and does exactly as Naomi suggest that he would in Ruth 3:18
18 She replied, “Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest but will settle the matter today.”
Boaz finds the correct man and immediately has the Elders of the City gathered
Look at Ruth 4:4
4 So I thought I would tell you of it and say, ‘Buy it in the presence of those sitting here and in the presence of the elders of my people.’ If you will redeem it, redeem it. But if you will not, tell me, that I may know, for there is no one besides you to redeem it, and I come after you.” And he said, “I will redeem it.”
Boaz is not giving the man time to ponder… If you will redeem it, redeem it
Boaz was very strategic in his presentation — He offers the land
Build your portfolio for free - No strings attached
put up or shut up — today, NOW
The man agrees and then Boaz reminds him of the rest of the deal
Boaz then reminds him of the gift of RUTH that is attached
if you want the land you must follow the rest of the Jewish Law
you must marry Ruth also--- you must so to carry on the line of the family
and the man refuses
he states that there will be an issue with HIS inheritance
The reason for this change is not detailed
it could be that the man was greedy and didn’t want to split the inheritance in more sections with his other children
whatever the fact
the land would have increased the man’s wealth, but the addition of Ruth would decrease it
It could easily be that he was simply not wanting a MOABITE in his lineage.
We should remember that the Jews believed they were the ONES - The Pure - The select.
breaking racial boundaries may have been an issue for him
Boaz does the offer and the deal publicly in front of the ten elders IN EFFECT
Boaz is putting the deal in front of the community --- Boaz forces him to take the land and Ruth
there was not a chance for the other relative to take the land and leave Ruth
It is likely that Boaz didn’t need the land but as we see his HEART in the earlier verse, it is probably to provide for Naomi
to be the Redeemer.
Inheritance Secured
Inheritance Secured
In our current culture it would be very odd to exchange sandals, especially for men
but again we see adherence to Jewish Law
This is what is referenced in Verse 7 — This was the custom in former times
Dt 25:9 “9 then his brother’s wife shall go up to him in the presence of the elders and pull his sandal off his foot and spit in his face. And she shall answer and say, ‘So shall it be done to the man who does not build up his brother’s house.’”
He we have the action of Boaz in a similar matter offering his sandal to the other in an attestment of the deal.
7 Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging: to confirm a transaction, the one drew off his sandal and gave it to the other, and this was the manner of attesting in Israel. 8 So when the redeemer said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself,” he drew off his sandal. 9 Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and to Mahlon. 10 Also Ruth the Moabite, the widow of Mahlon, I have bought to be my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brothers and from the gate of his native place. You are witnesses this day.” 11 Then all the people who were at the gate and the elders said, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman, who is coming into your house, like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you act worthily in Ephrathah and be renowned in Bethlehem,
The Blessing of the Elders
The Blessing of the Elders
12 and may your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring that the Lord will give you by this young woman.”
The house of Perez:
interestingly this is Echo’d in Matthew 1:3 “3 and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram,”
Boaz has redeemed RUTH
— GODS PLAN was working behind the scenes,
then Ruth obeyed and followed,
NOW WE SEE THE PLAN REVEALED
RUTH goes from pauper to princess
God’s blessing is REVEALED
RUTH IS REDEEMED.
Conclusion:
In a tough situation Ruth shows LOVE and LOYALTY
She obeys and is not afraid of Work
Ruth lives, cares and provides for a Bitter Woman that she loves IN SPITE OF bitterness
YET in all of this GOD is working
God is leading, and directing Steps
today we have seen that GOD will BRING GOOD
GOD has a BIG PLAN for each of US
Wrap Up:
Our Christmas Eve service is right here at 6 Pm --- We will close out our Study of Ruth
our Redeemer is Born
Our message is “Married to the Redeemer”
we are going to meet on January 1 right here.. praying, learning, and celebrating our New Year with the Lord.
and i heard rumors of breakfast and coffee.
Honestly i cannot think of a better way to start our 2023..
worshipping together to celebrate another new year to Glorify God by Growing Others in Christ Jesus.