Ruth 1-7; Reversing the Curse

Ruth 1:1-7; Reversing the Curse

Sermon in a sentence: Ruth is the story of God reversing the curse of sin.

Curse of Sin (vs. 1-5)

Ruth left the promised land because of famine during the time of the judges.

Remember God provided land flowing with milk and honey. He would bless his people and live among them. So why is there a famine? The period of the judges gives us a hint.

Deuteronomy 28:1–6 ESV

1 “And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. 2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. 3 Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. 4 Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. 5 Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. 6 Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.

Judges 3:12–14 ESV

12 And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done what was evil in the sight of the Lord. 13 He gathered to himself the Ammonites and the Amalekites, and went and defeated Israel. And they took possession of the city of palms. 14 And the people of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years.

2. Naomi did leave but it was Elimelech’s responsibility to lead his family.

Israelites were not supposed to intermarry with the Canaanites, much less the Moabites.

When times got tough, this family turned away from God and his people. But they turned to those that did not love God.

God has placed us pastors as undershepherds under our chief shepherd Jesus Christ. We must take that responsibility seriously. (1 Corinthians 15:28-31)

1 Corinthians 15:28–31 ESV

28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all. 29 Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? 30 Why are we in danger every hour? 31 I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day!

We handle spiritual matters. This means we handle spiritual life and death.

3. Naomi’s suffering turned her bitter.

God’s Reversal (vs. 6-7)

Naomi wakes one day and sees her situation. She then decides to go back to her God’s promised land.

This is analogous to salvation. We cannot find salvation until we realized we are lost. We must Repent and Believe.

God brought Naomi back during the barley harvest. Remember, they left during a famine.

We see God’s providential hand all over this story. How quick are we to forget this?

How quick are we to turn blessings from God into pride?

God provided a son that would bring about a king.