Retreat 6

Doctrinal Detour

Redemption:

the action of regaining or gaining possession of something in exchange for payment, or clearing a debt.

Recap

Elimelech and Naomi flee from Bethlehem to Moab because of a famine

While in Moab their Two sons marry Moabite women

Elimelech and both sons die leaving three widows to fend for themselves

Naomi has lost everything

The famine lifts

Ruth, Naomi’s Moabite daughter in law abandoned everything to follow Naomi’s God and to take care of her mother in law

Ruth and Naomi return to Bethlehem

Naomi left full and returns empty

What has been Naomi’s attitude toward God? How has it changed? Why?

Ruth has gone to the Barley fields to glean (as the poor do)

Ruth stumbled upon the field of Boaz (Kinsman Redeemer)

Boaz heard of Ruth’s faithfulness and he has blessed her with special gleaning privileges

Boaz prays a special prayer over Ruth

Ruth 2:11–12 ESV

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. 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!”

Pray

Ruth 3:1-18

Ruth 3:1 ESV

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?

What do you think Naomi is talking about?

In ch 1, Naomi told her daughter in laws to find a new husband and so find rest

Ruth 3:2–5 ESV

Is not Boaz our relative, with whose young women you were? See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. 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. 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.” And she replied, “All that you say I will do.”

Naomi encourages Ruth to essentially propose to Boaz

Ask him to exexcise his right as the “kinsman redeemer”

Get gussied up!

Boaz is separating wheat from chaff

Will stay the night to protect his harvest

“eating an drinking”

the work would be finished and Boaz resting

“uncover his feet”

Tradition lost to time but apparently had something to do with the proposal to be redeemed

Ruth 3:6–8 ESV

So she went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law had commanded her. 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. At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet!

How I met Arnessa

Ruth 3:9 ESV

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

Does this bring anything to mind?

Ruth 2:11–12 ESV

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. 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!”

God could use Boaz as the answer to his own prayer

Sometimes God makes us aware of a need because He wants to use us to meet that need

That guy could use a good friend

Someone ought to help them with that bill they can't pay

Mom could really use encouragement/help

My friend is straying from the truth of the Gospel

the people on this team need Christ desperatley

we have to let the Holy Spirit tell show us the when and the how

we aren't always the answer

sometimes we are called to pray in the background

But when God shows us a need do we say with Isaiah :

Here I am! Send me!

Ruth 3:10–11 ESV

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. 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.

You may have already realized that the book of Ruth goes beyond just the story of a couple of widows...

What deeper meaning do you see in this book? What symbolism?

This book is pointing us to Jesus!

A hopeless person with a debt they can't pay has to throw themselves on the mercy of someone who is willing and with enough means to cover their need (to Redeem them)

Remember there were 3 qualifications for a kinsman redeemer:

Blood Relative

Resourcesor Means

Willing

Boaz can only be the Kinsman Redeemer because he shares the same blood, he has the means or ability to pay the debt, and he has the desire (want to) to redeem Naomi and Ruth

The Debt that Naomi and Ruth have isn't Boaz’s problem but if he chooses to he can make it his problem

The debt against God that we've acquired isn't Jesus’s problem

We did that!

Just like a kinsman redeemer:

Jesus became our blood (became a man like us)

Lived a life of perfect righteousness the ability/means (the thing we lack before God)

Willingly went to the cross (to pay for the sin debt that we owe)

Here’s the catch though...

Why has Boaz taken Notice of Ruth?

Ruth has been faithful to Naomi (2:11)

She’s “kind” (3:10)

She’s “a worthy woman” (3:11)

Her character has caught his eye

she is a proverbs 31 woman

Your “goodness” didn't catch God’s eye

Jesus doesnt look your way because of your kindness and integrity or faithfulness

Jesus came after His people not because of their faithfulness, kindness, goodness, integrity but because of His!

When Jesus looked at a world of lost news He saw Sinners, helpless, hopeless, and wicked

Jesus is the better Boaz!

Jesus didn't notice the good in us, He came to give us His good (in a perfect life punished on a cross for the sins of others)

Repent and believe that Gospel!

This “Redemption” isn't earned, it’s a gift of righteousness recieved by empty handed faith in Christ And Christ alone!

Turn from sin and self to Jesus Christ

Ruth 3:12–18 ESV

And now it is true that I am a redeemer. Yet there is a redeemer nearer than I. 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.” 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.” 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. 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, 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.’ ” 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.”

Pray

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