Making Good on a Promise

KEY VERSE: “Blessed is the Lord who has not left you without a redeemer today, and may his name become famous in Israel." - Ruth 4:14

In 1992, Thomas Cook and his friend, Joe Feeney, made a deal that if either of them ever won the lottery that they would split the winnings. In 2020, Thomas called Joe to let him know that he had won 22 million dollars and was planning on splitting it with him as promised.

One of the things that Boaz and Jesus have in common is that they are men who make good on their promises.

EXEGETICAL OUTLINE

The Meeting (v.1-4)

A Kinsman-Redeemer would be a brother or male cousin of the deceased. Beginning with the closest relative, the man would be required by God to marry the widow and take care of her. His first son by the widow would then be considered his nephew, the son of the deceased. The nephew would continue the deceased man’s family name, and he would receive the family inheritance when he was old enough to manage it.

The city gate was equivalent to a local court in our context. It is where important business was conducted. This is why there were elders of the city available and present to witness the transaction.

The Transaction (v.5-12)

What does this passage teach us about this kind of transaction?

It is costly.

It is legal.

It divides an inheritance.

It re-identifies the redeemed.

The Redemption (v.13-17)

Seven represents the number of perfection. The women exclaimed that having a daughter-in-law like Ruth was even better than having a perfect family full of sons!

This is the only instance of someone outside the immediate family naming a child in the OT (the women of the community named him).

The Fulfillment (v.18-22)

God promised Abraham that a great king and blessing to all nations would come from him:

Genesis 17:15–16 NASB95

Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. “I will bless her, and indeed I will give you a son by her. Then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.”

Genesis 22:18 NASB95

“In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”

God also promised David that his son Solomon would establish a throne that would last forever.

2 Samuel 7:12–16 NASB95

“When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom. “He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. “I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me; when he commits iniquity, I will correct him with the rod of men and the strokes of the sons of men, but My lovingkindness shall not depart from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. “Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.” ’ ”

As we conclude our study of the book of Ruth, what important lessons should we remember?

We should remember that…

Tragedy is Temporary

Ruth 1:20–21 NASB95

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

Ruth 4:14 NASB95

Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed is the Lord who has not left you without a redeemer today, and may his name become famous in Israel.

If you are trusting in Christ alone for your salvation this morning, you can find comfort in the fact that no matter how tragic your life may seem, one day God will turn your sorrow to joy in the end just like He did for Naomi and Ruth.

We should remember that…

Virtue is Vital

Ruth 2:11–12 NASB95

Boaz replied to her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband has been fully reported to me, and how you left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and came to a people that you did not previously know. “May the Lord reward your work, and your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.”

Ruth 4:10 NASB95

“Moreover, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, to be my wife in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance, so that the name of the deceased will not be cut off from his brothers or from the court of his birth place; you are witnesses today.”

If you want to see the power of God in your life, you should ask Him to make you a virtuous person like Ruth and Boaz. Remember, though, that we don’t see virtue without an opportunity to express it.

We should remember that…

Reliance is Rewarded

Ruth 1:16–17 NASB95

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. “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.”

Ruth 2:12 NASB95

“May the Lord reward your work, and your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.”

Ruth 4:13–15 NASB95

So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife, and he went in to her. And the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed is the Lord who has not left you without a redeemer today, and may his name become famous in Israel. “May he also be to you a restorer of life and a sustainer of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.”

Ruth and Boaz came from different life situations, but they had this in common: they both relied on the LORD to provide for them. Relying on God is the most secure investment you can make, because He always makes good on His promises.

CONCLUSION

When Naomi's son, Mahlon, died, she needed a Redeemer to ensure her future. When God's first-created son, Adam, died, He needed a Redeemer to ensure humanity's future.

Boaz stepped up, paid the price, and divided his inheritance so that Mahlon's family would continue. Likewise, Jesus stepped up, paid the price, and divided His inheritance with us so that Adam's family would continue.

How should you respond today’s message?

Find comfort in the temporary nature of your tragedies.

Be virtuous so that you can be a blessed part of God's plan.

Believe that all of God's promises are true and will be fulfilled in Jesus Christ.