Redemption in Ruth

Nathaniel Goad

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Ruth Chapter 1: Setting the Scene

Ruth 1 (NASB95)

1 Now it came about in the days when the judges governed, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the land of Moab with his wife and his two sons.

2 The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife, Naomi; and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem in Judah. Now they entered the land of Moab and remained there.

3 Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left with her two sons.

4 They took for themselves Moabite women as wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. And they lived there about ten years.

5 Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died, and the woman was bereft of her two children and her husband.

6 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law that she might return from the land of Moab, for she had heard in the land of Moab that the Lord had visited His people in giving them food.

7 So she departed from the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah.

8 And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother’s house. May the Lord deal kindly with you as you have dealt with the dead and with me.

9 “May the Lord grant that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband.” Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept.

10 And they said to her, “No, but we will surely return with you to your people.”

11 But Naomi said, “Return, my daughters. Why should you go with me? Have I yet sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?

12 “Return, my daughters! Go, for I am too old to have a husband. If I said I have hope, if I should even have a husband tonight and also bear sons,

13 would you therefore wait until they were grown? Would you therefore refrain from marrying? No, my daughters; for it is harder for me than for you, for the hand of the Lord has gone forth against me.”

14 And they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.

15 Then she said, “Behold, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and her gods; return after your sister-in-law.”

16 But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.

17 “Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the Lord do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me.”

18 When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more to her.

19 So they both went until they came to Bethlehem. And when they had come to Bethlehem, all the city was stirred because of them, and the women said, “Is this Naomi?”

20 She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.

21 “I went out full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has witnessed against me and the Almighty has afflicted me?”

22 So Naomi returned, and with her Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, who returned from the land of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.

Here we see an “Unexpected Tragedy”!

Let’s break down a few things that we just read here.

The whole scene is taking place during the time of the judges in the course of history for the Israelites. So this is after Israel had been delivered from Egypt. They had conquered the promise land…aka Israel. But there was not yet a king over Israel. And according to the very last verse of Judges, it says:

Judges 21:25 ESV

25 In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

Everyone did what was right in their own eyes. Can you imagine a society where everyone just did what they felt comfortable with. No sense of law or order. This would be a scary place to live during this time. And we know from Scripture, that during this time, when God raised up a Judge, the people would follow and obey God and live in peace. But as soon as the judge died, they went astray to other nations and other false gods. Then God would allow calamity to come upon them to bring them back to Himself. Unfortunately this was a vicious cycle that the Israelites could have avoided, but instead kept reliving.

So this is the context for the time period. And now we reach this story that starts in the humble land of Bethlehem (sound familiar? Yeah, this is where Jesus would be born). And the word Bethlehem literally means “House of Bread”.

Only a few verses in, we see that there is a famine in the land. So it is kind of ironic. The “house of bread” is actually without bread.

Keep this in mind for later.

Next we see that because of the famine, this family leaves for the land of Moab.

Now, it will be quite clear that the author places a big emphasis on the fact that this family went there and that Ruth is a Moabite woman.

Why is this a big deal?

Well let’s mention just a couple of reasons:

The country of Moab originated from Lot (Abraham’s nephew) having incest with his daughters. So the nation itself was founded on a gross sin.

The country of Moab worshipped these false gods which led people to commit really heinous acts of sin. A lot of them focused around sexual immorality and killing.

In Numbers 25:1-3 we see that the moabite women in particular were seducing and leading astray the Israelite men and introducing them to their false gods. Leading them away from the One and Only true God to a false form of pagan worship. They bowed down to inanimate images and statues. This kindled the anger of God against Israel, and a lot of people died as a result (24,000).

We also see in Deut. 23:3 that no Moabite down to the 10th generation would be allowed into the assembly of God!

So to say the least, Moab was a terrible place filled with all kinds of terrible people doing terrible things.

For this family to leave Judah the land of promise for Moab the land of compromise and sin… that would be turning your back on God and embracing a place of sin.

This was the first tragedy, but it certainly does not stop here!

Now Elimelech, the husband of Naomi dies. But she still has her two sons.

Her two sons find Moabite women and marry them.

10 years later, both of her sons die. All she has left are her two moabite daughter in laws.

Left in despair, she decides to return home because the famine had ended and God brought food back to the land.

There is an emotional scene where Naomi loved her daughter-in-laws, but explained to them that they really had no obligation to her. And that by staying with her, they would be widows without income or support. And they were still young. Her word of advice it to return home and find a new husband and have a happy family. In all honesty, this seemed like good advice.

Cause we need to remember that at this point in history, women were not able to go to work like they do in today’s culture. To lose your husband meant that you would look to your son for provision. And Naomi did this for 10 years. But after losing her two sons, she had lost it all. Their family name (which meant more than we could begin to understand) was going to be lost. This was an absolute tragedy to an Israelite. But at least the daughter-in-laws could go back and find new husbands.

The response of the two daughters differ greatly tho:

1 cries, kisses Naomi and then returns home

Ruth, however, clings to her mother in law.

And this word that describes Ruth “clinging” to Naomi is comparable to the word used in Genesis 2:24 when God ordains that a man should leave his father and mother and “hold fast” to his wife. To unite yourself with your wife.

This is the imagery happening here, and it is even better illustrated by the words that Ruth has to offer her:

Ruth 1:16–17 ESV

16 But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.”

This is total commitment!!!

Naomi’s response (verse 18): she was speechless.

So, its been decided, Ruth is going with Naomi. She has commited the rest of her life and her fate to living with her mother-in-law. This may sound rather strange and foreign to some of you. So I’m sure some of you in here can understand that this is a real act of love and commitment.

Moving down to verse 19, we see that they return to Bethlehem and this must have been the gossip going around town, because it “stirred” the community.

The people see her after 10+ years and ask: Is this Naomi????

And the Name Naomi means: Pleasant one.

Upon hearing this, she makes it clear to everyone that she no longer wants to be known by this name. Why? Because she is not feeling pleasant any longer. Rather she says that God is against her and that her name is now “Mara” which means bitter.

I can only imagine what everyone was thinking when these two are walking into town.

Naomi left with an Israelite husband and two sons and returned home with a MOABITE WOMAN!!!!!

WHAAAAAT?????

Imagine what Ruth must be thinking?

She was literally the living image of all that Naomi had lost and the bitterness she now felt.

Naomi told the people that she left “full” but returned home “empty”.

This is what Ruth represented…Naomi’s emptiness.

This is how Chapter 1 comes to an end. It is a sober and dry scene. A scene of “terrible tragedy”

Perhaps you hear this story and can perfectly relate to Naomi. At one time feeling full but then feeling empty. Or perhaps you are also well acquainted with the feeling of loss and bitterness. Feeling like a stranger in a strange land. Then when you try to return home, there is this shadow following you around (like Ruth) that every time you look over your shoulder, you can only see all the pain and hurt in your life. Never leaving you, but rather an ever present reminder of all your loss.

Well there a few key takeaways that I want you to see taking place here:

- Despite all that Naomi had experienced, she still acknowledges God as Almighty and LORD. She refers to God in this way when she is describing her tragedy. She uses that names of God like Shaddai and Yahwey which picture God as all powerful and one who keeps his covenantal love…faithful. A love that is not based on you doing anything to earn it. God had placed his affection of love on her and there was nothing she could do to remove it. This is a stubborn love. God’s love! Based on His faithfulness to keep it…. And guess what, God loves us, His people, in this kind of way!

We actually see a similar theme, as this happens multiple times in the Bible. Consider Joseph, Job, Daniel, etc. Mysterious suffering in the life of God’s people. Why would a good God allow suffering to take place in the life of the people who love and honor Him?

Why would God allow suffering and hardships happen in your life? Why? Why? Why? These are legitimate questions! Where is God in the midst of all of this?

But what we need to realize is that although Ruth looked to be the sign of something very terrible, God was going to use her in unexpected ways of redemption.

God sometimes uses tragedy to get our attention and lay the foundations of life changing truths in our lives. In our deepest moments of despair, we should not ask God why? But rather, what would you have me learn from this? God never wastes pain or tragedies. He is always working them out for good

Romans 8:28 ESV

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

If you have ever wandered to the land of “MOAB”, remember that you are not too far gone. Your wandering from God does not ever leave you without a hope of future redemption and restoration. This is true from before you were saved to the present moment. You are never too far in Moab for God to bring you home and give you the greatest story of redemption.

As believers, we may not always live a story just like Naomi in the way she is redeemed. But whether or not God allows us to see it on this side of eternity, we know that we have a future hope that cannot be taken away from us! Be patient! You have great gain ahead! God is in the business of taking tragedies and turning them into Triumphs. And remember… The ultimate battle has already been won in Christ! You have a future hope!

Okay, we are on a fast-track, so we need to keep going!

Ruth 2 (ESV)

1 Now Naomi had a relative of her husband’s, a worthy man of the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz.

2 And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.”

3 So she set out and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers, and she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the clan of Elimelech.

4 And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem. And he said to the reapers, “The Lord be with you!” And they answered, “The Lord bless you.”

5 Then Boaz said to his young man who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?”

6 And the servant who was in charge of the reapers answered, “She is the young Moabite woman, who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab.

7 She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves after the reapers.’ So she came, and she has continued from early morning until now, except for a short rest.”

8 Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Now, listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women.

9 Let your eyes be on the field that they are reaping, and go after them. Have I not charged the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink what the young men have drawn.”

10 Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?”

11 But Boaz answered her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before.

12 The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!”

13 Then she said, “I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, for you have comforted me and spoken kindly to your servant, though I am not one of your servants.”

14 And at mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come here and eat some bread and dip your morsel in the wine.” So she sat beside the reapers, and he passed to her roasted grain. And she ate until she was satisfied, and she had some left over.

15 When she rose to glean, Boaz instructed his young men, saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her.

16 And also pull out some from the bundles for her and leave it for her to glean, and do not rebuke her.”

17 So she gleaned in the field until evening. Then she beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley.

18 And she took it up and went into the city. Her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. She also brought out and gave her what food she had left over after being satisfied.

19 And her mother-in-law said to her, “Where did you glean today? And where have you worked? Blessed be the man who took notice of you.” So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked and said, “The man’s name with whom I worked today is Boaz.”

20 And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the Lord, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!” Naomi also said to her, “The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers.”

21 And Ruth the Moabite said, “Besides, he said to me, ‘You shall keep close by my young men until they have finished all my harvest.’ ”

22 And Naomi said to Ruth, her daughter-in-law, “It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his young women, lest in another field you be assaulted.”

23 So she kept close to the young women of Boaz, gleaning until the end of the barley and wheat harvests. And she lived with her mother-in-law.

WOW!!! Things are starting to get exciting!

The author starts out the chapter by talking about a man named Boaz. He was closely related to Naomi’s husband. This was very significant as I will explain in a few moments. It is also significant to note that the author specifically mentions the kind of man Boaz was. He was noted as a “Worthy Man”. An admirable character quality. Not only this, but we see that in His dialogue of talking, Boaz is a follower and believer in God. In a crazy time to be living, where many people did whatever seemed right to them, here was Boaz still following God!

Okay, let’s get back to the action!

Ruth (again called a Moabite…in case you forgot), decides to go out and glean wheat from the local farmers. In Jewish law, God told the farmers that they should not reap their harvest from the fields all the way to the very edges. They were to leave some for the widows and poor people to be able to come behind the workers and gather. It was a charitable thing to do to help provide opportunity for the weak and poor to live and eat. So this is what Ruth goes out to do. But this could also be dangerous work. As a young lady, she could be in a vulnerable position. Should one of the laborers be sinful and evil, he could have assaulted and taken advantage of her.

Now, the author is quite dramatic in some of his language when writing, which makes it fun to read. He says that Ruth “just happened” or “just by chance” came to Boaz’s fields… in other words, there was no luck involved here. This was not by random circumstance.

Then, it says: “And BEHOLD”…. Boaz came!

Again, so dramatic! Nothing happens by accident when God is sovereignly at work for the good of His people. Things don’t take God by surprise. He knows them already, and He intentionally uses them!

Then, verse in verse 5, Boaz asks: “Whose young woman is this?”

In other words: “CHECK… HER… OUT!”

He notices her, and what is his concern? Not who is she, but rather, “Who is taking care of her?” “Who’s care is she under?”

Boaz is an honorable man.

The workers tell him about her and who she is… once again reminding him that she is a Moabite.

Boaz approaches her and tells her: You stay with the other women in my fields! I have ordered my men not to lay a hand on you!

Not only does he show special care for her safety, but he also tells her to go up to the same drinking jars as her workers and keep herself hydrated. Drawing water would have typically been the job of women during this time. But Boaz says, My men will draw the water for you!

This would have been remarkable as a woman. But unheard of as a MOABITE woman. Talk about a culture shock!

In response, Ruth falls to the ground and asks Boaz why she would find such favor in his sight.

Boaz’s responds and tells her he has heard of all the good things she has done to care for Naomi his relative. All that she gave up (a future life with a new husband and family) to come to a foreign place and serve her mother-in-law as a widow for the rest of her life. This would be accepting a life of hard work to barely survive. Being seen as less as a Moabite.

Boaz recognized her as coming under the refuge of God’s wings.

God is both a rewarder and a protector.

When meal time came, Boaz even invites Ruth to come and eat with the workers from their share of food.

The imagery of this “1st Date” is significant. Boaz the owner/lord of the harvest is serving lunch to the Moabite woman.

It tells us that Ruth ate until she was full and she even took leftovers for her mother-in-law.

When they go back to the fields to keep working, Boaz instructs his men to intentionally leave some of the good wheat for her to gather.

And by the end of the day, Ruth had gathered around an ephah of barley. Now idk about you, but this isn’t much help in knowing how much she had gathered. But scholars estimate that this would be between 30-50 lbs of wheat (about 1/2 month wages). All this gathered in one day!

Boaz was generous in leaving remains, but Ruth was a hard worker in gathering it all!

Idk about you, but I’m impressed with Ruth! Thats a lot of work all day, and then when its time to go home, she slings a 30-50 lbs bag on her back and heads to Naomi….like okay Ruth… we see you!

And when she gets home, Naomi is giddy!!! She sees Ruth and you can almost hear the excitement in her voice… “Where did you glean today?”

“Blessed is the man who TOOK NOTICE OF YOU!!!”

Ruth, likely knowing nothing of it, responds and tells Naomi that she worked in Boaz’s fields.

This would have been one of those jaw dropping moments, when upon hearing Boaz, Naomi would have had to scoop her mouth off the floor and put her teeth back in her mouth!

Look at this response:

Ruth 2:20 (ESV)

This is packed with all kinds of meaning. Notice how Naomi once again takes notice of God’s kindness still being faithfully shown through Boaz.

But more than that, this term comes up which is pivotal for the rest of the book: “Kinsmen-Redeemer”

What is that about??? I told you earlier that I would go over this.

In Israelite culture, I told you that it would be an absolute tragedy to lose your family name. No descendant to carry on the name of your family’s legacy. And all means of Naomi being able to restore this were basically gone. She didn’t have a husband with whom to have another son, and both of the sons which she had were dead.

But in circumstances such as this, your husband’s closest male relative (if he was willing) would come and have a child with you. The child would take on the family name of your deceased husband. He would be the heir to keep the family name and legacy alive.

This closest relative is called a Kinsmen-Redeemer. He would purchase your family’s land to preserve it, provide for you, help you bear a child to preserve your family’s name. This was a very important and significant role to play in this culture and time.

And guess who was one of the family Redeemers for Naomi and Ruth? BOAZ!!!

Isn’t God good!

Naomi understood this implications of all of this at the sound of Boaz’s name. But she had to reveal this to Ruth.

Begin to notice the connections being made between Boaz and Jesus being made here.

Look at Exodus 6:6

Exodus 6:6 (ESV)

6 Say therefore to the people of Israel, ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment.

God has always been in the business of redeeming. He has been doing this in the OT for Israel and is doing it now for people all over the world like you and me!

Let’s take notice of some of the connections:

1. Ruth was welcomed under the wings of God through the provision of Boaz

So are we: Psalm 91:1

Psalm 91:1 ESV

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm 91:4 (ESV)

and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

God Shelters you under His wings!

2. Boaz took notice of Ruth and pursued caring for her

- God has taken notice of you! And He seeks you to be a part of His family.

Deuteronomy 33:26–27 (ESV)

26 “There is none like God, O Jeshurun, who rides through the heavens to your help, through the skies in his majesty.

27 The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.

God “rides through the heavens” to seek and help you!

3. Ruth was told to stay in Boaz’s field, and she was showered with the graciousness of Boaz.

(She carried away 30-50 lbs of food in one day!)

Stay in the Lord’s field! Don’t wander to any others! God showers His grace and mercy on His people!

In the midst of waiting, the covenantal love and kindness of God is reminding us that God IS AT WORK. Our God does not sleep nor slumber. He is actively, all the time, working for you! He is working extravagantly 24/7 in his faithful kindness for you! Remember Romans 8:28

Romans 8:28 ESV

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Here are some remarkable connections for you to see!

Now, we have seen Boaz like God in this scene.

But another proper application is for us to see how we can be like Boaz to others as well.

Okay, okay, this is my last point!

Look at what God tells us in James

James 1:27 (ESV)

27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Notice also that God “Visited” his people at the beginning of this story:

Ruth 1:6 (ESV)

6 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the fields of Moab that the Lord had visited his people and given them food.

So hopefully adding this old testament connection to James helps you to understand what it really means to “Visit” someone in need. Coming to “visit” like God means more than just popping in to say hi. You help care for their needs at the expense of your table!

Don’t get me wrong, it is very good to simply stop by and say hi to people. Often that is what people need. Someone simply to talk to. But what does it mean to “VISIT” in a manner like God does? It means to provide a need at your own expense.

See yourself as Boaz in means of caring for the needs of others. This is a reminder for myself as much as all of us. It is easy to care for #1.

BUT at the same time that you may be helping care for others’ needs, remember that you are a vessel to be used by God. Only God can truly redeem. But we are called to be the hands and feet which accomplish His will here on earth!

My last statement to leave you with is this:

“Live like you have been Redeemed!”

Week #2 (Ruth 3 & 4)

Review

Introduced to the story of Ruth:

Time of the judges (every man does what is right in his own eyes)

In Bethlehem (House of bread), yet there was a famine (so a house w/o bread)

Family leaves to Moab

Moab was a place of compromise and sin (founded by Lot’s incestuous relationship with his daughter) (This would be turning your back on God)

This was the first tragedy (Spiritual Adultery)

2nd Tragedy: Naomi’s husband, Elimelech, dies

But she has two sons who have taken Moabite women as their wives

3rd Tragedy: Both of her sons die

She is empty. She will lose her family’s name because she has no husband, children or grandchildren to carry on the family name.

4th Tragedy: Loss of family name (this was a huge deal to the people in this culture and time)

Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem because she hears that God had visited the people and the famine was over.

One daughter in law, Orpah, is sad but listens to Naomi and returns home. Ruth, however, insists on returning with her! She makes an absolute commitment to her (your people are mine, your God is mine, I will live and die in the same place as you!)

They return home, and everyone asks: is this Naomi (pleasant one)??? But she says to do not call me this, for I left full and have returned empty. Call me Mara (bitter).

Yet in the midst of all this, she still refers to God as Almighty and Yahweh, the faithful covenant loving name of God.

Naomi was experiencing unexpected trials for seemingly no reason. Remeber our question last week? Where is God when hard times come? Why would he let these things happen to His people (like Naomi, Joseph, Job and Daniel)?

Romans 8:28 ESV

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Chapter 2:

Ruth goes out to start trying to earn some food for the two of them because widows were people without means of an income. They would live on the generosity of others. In one such way was to go behind the harvesters and pick up the scrap pieces of wheat or barley that would fall on the ground or were missed being cut down.

Ruth finds her way to the fields of a man named Boaz. Boaz takes notice oh her seemingly right away. (the author is quite dramatic when writing about this - “and BEHOLD, Boaz arrived”).

He shows special favor to her in a way that doesn’t seem to make much sense to her. However, he explains that he is a relative of Naomi, and he has heard about the ways that Ruth has cared for her and left her home to stay with her.

Boaz goes on to basically spoil Ruth. He tells his men to not lay a hand on her, he tells them to intentionally drop grain behind for her, he then invites her to lunch with all of the workers and lets her eat until she is full. At the end of the day, Ruth is walking away with a 1/2 month’s wage worth of grain for her and Naomi.

Naomi gets excited and asks her who’s field she gleaned in and who took notice of her.

Finding out it was Boaz, she gets really excited and has to explain to Ruth that he in one of their Kinsman Redeemers.

This seems like a strange concept to us for a brother in law or cousin or someone closely related to come and marry you to help you conceive so that the family name would continue. But this would be an honorable thing to do to help your close family.

Basically, if Ruth marries Boaz, then the family name would be restored and Naomi and Ruth would have someone to provide for their financial and physical needs.

Finally, we get to chapter 3:

Ruth 3 (ESV)

1 Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, should I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you?

2 Is not Boaz our relative, with whose young women you were? See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor.

3 Wash therefore and anoint yourself, and put on your cloak and go down to the threshing floor, but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.

4 But when he lies down, observe the place where he lies. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what to do.”

5 And she replied, “All that you say I will do.”

6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law had commanded her.

7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. Then she came softly and uncovered his feet and lay down.

8 At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet!

9 He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.”

10 And he said, “May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich.

11 And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman.

12 And now it is true that I am a redeemer. Yet there is a redeemer nearer than I.

13 Remain tonight, and in the morning, if he will redeem you, good; let him do it. But if he is not willing to redeem you, then, as the Lord lives, I will redeem you. Lie down until the morning.”

14 So she lay at his feet until the morning, but arose before one could recognize another. And he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.”

15 And he said, “Bring the garment you are wearing and hold it out.” So she held it, and he measured out six measures of barley and put it on her. Then she went into the city.

16 And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “How did you fare, my daughter?” Then she told her all that the man had done for her,

17 saying, “These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said to me, ‘You must not go back empty-handed to your mother-in-law.’ ”

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.”

So the story resumes and we see that harvest season is over. But after the crops are harvested, you still need to winnow the wheat and barley.

So what should Ruth do? No more scraps to be picked up…

Don’t worry, Naomi has Ruth covered. She tells Ruth a plan of action so that she can pursue Boaz.

The first step is cleaning herself up. This seems like common sense, but the imagery for the original audience helps portray that she is no longer presenting herself as a widow. Now she is presenting herself as available. Not in a sexual way, but simply not stating to others through how she dressed that she was accepting her lot in life as a destitute widow. She was cleaned up now!

Now this next part is where things get interesting! Naomi’s plan consists of Ruth waiting for Boaz to get off of a hard day’s work, let him eat and relax, and then take notice of where he goes to sleep. This last part is really important. You don’t want to wake up the wrong man here!

So she does as instructed. Then, this is just outright weird. She finds Boaz, per Naomi’s instruction, and uncovers his feet and simply lays down.

As could be expected, the cool air eventually must have jostled him awake. And what does he find but Ruth laying down. His response is quite humorous. “Ruth 3:8-9

Ruth 3:8–9 (ESV)

8 At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet!

9 He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.”

This move by Ruth was risky. What if he rejected her. What if he wasn’t honorable and tried to take advantage of her?

But she listened to Naomi and did it.

Now, what exactly was all of this about? Whats with uncovering the feet and laying down?

For an Israelite man, he would have immediately recognized that this was Ruth basically presenting herself as available for marriage. She was making a bold move to tell Boaz that she noticed him back.

And there was no beating around the bush. She straight up told him: “spread your wings over me. For you are a redeemer”

Remember our comparison to God as the one under whose wings we come and take shelter. That Jeshua rides through the Heavens to care for us.

He clearly understands the situation as an Israelite and he commends her for not pursuing the younger men. But rather came to him. Ruth wasn’t pursuing wealth or youth. She pursued the godly man.

This in itself is a takeaway for any young women. Pursue the godly men. That’s the most important quality to seek in someone.

Notice starting in verse 11 that we see that Boaz tells her not to worry. He is going to pursue her in return. He won’t rest until he sees her redemption.

Just as Ruth pursued the godly man, Boaz also mentions that everyone in town regarded Ruth as a worthy woman! Rather interesting that he doesn’t refer to her as a Moabite as so many others did.

It is also interesting to note that it is believed that the original order of the Jew’s old testament would have the story of Ruth come right after the book of Proverbs. Why is this significant? Well what is the last chapter of Proverbs? Proverbs 31 which talks about the worthy woman! How fitting that the very next book would be of Ruth who is described by the author and known by the townspeople as a worthy woman!

Continuing… Only one slight issue. There is someone else who is more closely related to Ruth who would have the civil first rights and privilege to redeem and care for Ruth and Naomi’s family.

Boaz’s instructions are for her to lay back down and get up in such a manner that nobody would know that she had come to him. That must have been one LONG night for Ruth to consider what would be her fate. Would she receive Boaz or this other guy to be her new husband?

Before she left the next morning, he gives her a lot of food (up to 75 lbs worth- 6 measures of barley) to take back home to her mother-in-law.

Do you remember the way chapter 1 ended?

Ruth 1:21 (ESV)

21 I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty.

Now in verse 17 we see that Boaz would not allow her to return empty-handed to her mother in law.

Ruth 3:17 (ESV)

‘You must not go back empty-handed to your mother-in-law.’ ”

Ruth was once the image of Naomi’s distress and hardships. Like a bleak shadow following her around. Her emptiness. Her loss.

But now, Ruth was the very image of God’s provision of Naomi’s fullness.

Chapter 3 ends here and the romance is picking up even more! What will Boaz do to convince this other guy to let him marry Ruth???

Chapter 4:

Ruth 4 (ESV)

1 Now Boaz had gone up to the gate and sat down there. And behold, the redeemer, of whom Boaz had spoken, came by. So Boaz said, “Turn aside, friend; sit down here.” And he turned aside and sat down.

2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down.

3 Then he said to the redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land that belonged to our relative Elimelech.

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.”

5 Then Boaz said, “The day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the widow of the dead, in order to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance.”

6 Then the redeemer said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I impair my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption yourself, for I cannot redeem it.”

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,

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.”

13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her, and the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son.

14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel!

15 He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.”

16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse.

17 And the women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.

18 Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez fathered Hezron,

19 Hezron fathered Ram, Ram fathered Amminadab,

20 Amminadab fathered Nahshon, Nahshon fathered Salmon,

21 Salmon fathered Boaz, Boaz fathered Obed,

22 Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered David.

Okay, we are almost through the book of Ruth! Hang on for this last chapter which brings everything to a conclusion.

It begins with Boaz going to the town gate (which is where a lot of business took place. There were many witnesses and judges would often sit here to make decisions with disputes, etc.)

He sees the other man who had first dibs on Ruth and the land associated with family’s inheritance.

Boaz calls him over along with a certain amount of other men as witnesses. He starts off by telling the man that the parcel of land owned by Naomi’s family (which is nearly all dead) is now for sell for him to redeem it. He immediately responds wanting to take the land. This would look good for him. He helps out Naomi a little bit by giving her money for the land, and no future heir would be able to reclaim it for the family.

Looks like a pretty sweet investment for this guy.

At this point we all have to be wondering, “What on earth is Boaz trying to do here? I thought he was trying to not talk this guy into being the Redeemer for Naomi and Ruth?”

But then Boaz basically says, “oh and by the way, in order to purchase the land you have to marry Ruth the Moabite. With her comes the responsibility of bearing for her a son who can reclaim the land and name to the family.

Smooth Boaz! Got him here!

Upon hearing this, the man is like “on second thought, I’ll pass”. He did not want to bear a son to Ruth and risk the inheritance of his children and family by mingling with her.

This perfectly opens the door for Boaz to step in as the legitimate redeemer. In the public witness, he takes on this responsibility.

To speed things along, we see that Ruth and Boaz get married, and they give birth to a son named Obed.

The women come along and bless Ruth. They also encourage Naomi and remind her how Ruth {who is worth more than 7 seven sons (the number of perfection) to Naomi} has born her a son to carry on he family name!

I love verse 14

Ruth 4:14 ESV

14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel!

God was her redeemer and he provided Boaz to be the means to having a child and restoring her family and her physical needs met.

A little genealogy shows that Obed is the grandfather of the future King David.

Verses 18-22 seem a little boring, but they reveal a great deal. Ruth marrying Boaz was the family line that Jesus would come through. Imagine what a tragedy if this family’s name had not been redeemed. This was the line of our very savior who we know was born generations down from the line of King David!

I don’t know if you remember from last week, but Moabites were not well liked people by the God- fearing Israelites because of their sin and compromise. Also, God commands concerning the offspring of a Moabite, that down to the 10th generation cannot enter the assembly of God. Well guess who was the 10th generation down and now able to join the Assembly? King David! So incredible!

So we know that Boaz was a good guy, but what other reason do you think he would have been sympathetic to a foreign woman? Well according to the genealogy in Matthew, Rahab (the prostitute of Jericho) was related to him. Thats pretty special too. That of all the lineages we could come up with for the Savior of the World, I don’t think I would have thought to include the prostitute and the Moabite woman. But God did! What a compassionate and forgiving God that we serve. One that includes people like Rahab, Ruth, You and me into his plan of Redemption.

So you have finally made it with me on a speed crash course of the book of Ruth! I know I didn’t go super deep to get down into all of the many applications that you could follow. But I do want to leave you with a few more thoughts and connections in seeing Jesus as our redeemer.

There are 3 primary things required for someone to be a redeemer.

The Right

Boaz had the right because he was related to Naomi’s family.

Jesus became a human so that he had humanity in likeness with us. In doing so, he had the connection and right to us.

The Resources

Boaz had the resources to purchase the land and care for the needs of Ruth and Naomi

Jesus has all of earth’s and heaven’s power and resources to care for our needs. With what precious thing did he pay for us with? The spotless and perfect blood of Christ.

Colossians 1:17 (NASB95)

17 in Him all things hold together.

Hebrews 1:3 (ESV)

3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.

Jesus has the resources!

3. The Resolve

Boaz had the desire to pursue Ruth

We need look no further than look to the cross to see that Jesus had the resolve to stop at no cost to redeem us!

So why can we trust in Jesus? Because as our Redeemer, it is His job to meet these 3 requirements.

Jesus can relate to you. Jesus can provide for you. Jesus is pursuing you with all resolve (24/7 working extravagantly for our good).

Be encouraged with these words from Isaiah 43:1-3

Isaiah 43:1–3 (ESV)

1 But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.

2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…

We may walk through tough times, and many times it will seem as though God is absent or unconcerned. But fear not, for if you have placed your faith in Christ, then you are His! And He has called you by name. He will be with you, and He wants to lay down foundations for your faith when you are experiencing the hardships. So don’t ask why, but rather, what would you have me learn from this, O God.

Listen to what Job, who is the best example of losing everything, says,

Job 19:25–26 ESV

25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. 26 And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God,

Do you believe this? Can you stand on this belief? That even if you never have a full understanding of things here on earth, that you rejoice in knowing that your Redeemer lives and you will soon get to enjoy God forever in eternity.

Let’s close on this note!

Prayer

Post Last worship Song, read this hymn,

There is a fountain filled with blood Drawn from Immanuel’s veins; And sinners, plunged beneath that flood, Lose all their guilty stains:

The dying thief rejoiced to see That fountain in his day; And there may I, though vile as he, Wash all my sins away

Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood Shall never lose its power, Till all the ransomed ones of God Be saved, to sin no more:

E’er since by faith I saw the stream Thy flowing wounds supply, Redeeming love has been my theme, And shall be till I die:

When this poor lisping, stammering tongue Lies silent in the grave, Then in a nobler, sweeter song, I’ll sing Thy power to save:

I love that next to last verse:

Redeeming love has been my theme, And shall be till I die:

I really hope we can all walk out of here today with this being the honest theme of your life: