The God of Steadfast Love and Redemption
Notes
Transcript
Start with a re-telling of the beginning events of Ruth? (Ruth 1-2?)
There was once a woman, many years ago, who with her family moved to a foreign land after some years of trying to make it work in their native land. There had been famine and drought for a long time, and they had - in the end - been faced with two choices: sell themselves into slavery, or move. They moved.
Now the woman and her husband left their country with their two sons. They travelled to a distant, neighboring nation, and settled there. Their sons got married to natives of the land, and there they stayed for 10 years.
Only, tragedy struck the family: both the husband and the two sons died, leaving three widowed women, and no children.
Meanwhile, the famine in their native land had ended, so the woman - now quite destitute decided to go back to her homeland. Her daughters-in-law also tried to come with her, but the woman told them to stay in their land. Re-marry, settle down. You’re young, there’s time. Don’t worry about me. One of the daughters agreed, and turned back. But the other refused to leave the woman. Instead, when told that she should return to her people, and the gods they worshipped, this young woman responded with:
But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.
Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!”
Hesed - This is the Hebrew word for steadfast love. It’s the kind of love that does not fail or give up. It is self-sacrificing and carries a deep devotion for God and others. It’s not just a feeling, it’s action. Stepping in to care for the person in need (Gotquestions). Hesed is often talked about in Scripture, like in Ps 136:
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
God’s steadfast love is the reason we are here right now. Now, if you haven’t picked up on the story I just told, it’s from the beginning to the book of Ruth. Throughout Ruth, we understand and see God’s hesed in action.
YAFI Slide.
Question: How does the book of Ruth fit into the story of the Bible?
Ruth is a small book - just four chapters long! So the question is, what kind of role does it play in Scripture? A big one.
Ruth’s story shows us God’s steadfast love and redemption (Hesed).
Today we’re going to examine the book of Ruth, and look at two ways in which we see God’s steadfast love, and his plan of redemption played out in this story. As we do, we are going to understand how this little book actually plays a very large part in the story of Scripture as a whole.
In the Lives of Real People
In the Lives of Real People
The first way that this book shows us God’s Hesed - steadfast, unfailing love in action is through the characters, who become prime examples for us.
Let’s get a quick understanding of the setting for this book:
In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons.
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. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there.
But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons.
These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years,
and both Mahlon and Chilion died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband.
A few quick notes:
The book starts by noting that we are in the period of the judges. This was a not so great time in Israel’s early history. Although there were some good judges, the people kept up this cycle of following God for a bit, drifting away to false gods, being oppressed because of their disobedience, calling out for help, having someone save them by God’s power, and then repeating the cycle. Perhaps one of the most telling verses in the book of Judges says:
In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
Yikes.
Second, it is interesting that the family moved to Moab. Clearly they were destitute, so they went to this land of pagans. Their sons marry foreign women, which is not forbidden in the law… but not encouraged either given Israel’s history with Moab.
In the end, all the men die. This leaves three widows - with no children. Wow! For 10 years, and no kids? It seems Ruth was barren. Widowhood was a disgrace and a very precarious situation. Widows did not own property, nor did they have security. With no children and no hope of male heirs, these women are in trouble and they know it.
How could anything good possibly come from this? Yet within the rest of this story we see God’s steadfast love for His people, and others demonstrating that love.
Now, let’s read Ruth 1:6-9
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 she set out from the place where she was with her two daughters-in-law, and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah.
But 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.
The Lord grant that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband!” Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept.
It is at this point that both daughters express their wish to stay with Naomi. Naomi tries to persuade them that it is for the best that they return to their own people and gods. Eventually, one - Orpah - does. However Ruth will not leave Naomi. Despite no hope of children or of “rest” in a husband’s house. Despite leaving her people and all she knew, Ruth choose to embrace life with her mother-in-law, and trust the Hebrew God Yahweh instead.
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.
What manner of self-sacrificing love is this? Ruth gives it all up and takes the risk. Certainly her chances might have been better in Moab, but she has chosen instead to commit to Naomi and to God. As we will see, God will honor her for this.
When these two women return home, it becomes clear they must do something to sustain themselves, so Ruth goes out to glean in the fields behind the harvesters. God’s law required that Israelites leave part of their harvest for the poor and foreigner to gather in Leviticus 23:22:
“And when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, nor shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God.”
It is at this point that we see the hand of God do something amazing:
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.
It seems that it’s almost by chance - in some ways - Ruth happens onto the field of Boaz. But I don’t think there are coincidences with God. Instead, God puts this together so that Ruth and Boaz may meet.
Now, let’s think, who is this Boaz?
Man of good standing
Israelite
Land Owner
Also worthy
Now, who is Ruth?
Foreigner
Woman
Of low standing
Servant
Widow.
It would seem there is just a bit of a social difference between these two. So, when Boaz sees Ruth, he could simply have ignored her, or perhaps given her a hard time. But Boaz responses differently:
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.
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.”
Instead of ignoring or harassing Ruth, Boaz takes notice of her and goes out of his way to care for her. Yet another example of God’s steadfast love exhibited through someone. As we read down through chapter 2, we see Boaz continue to show kindness to Ruth, even having her sit with his workers and serving her food.
Now, some could argue “maybe he’s sweet on her, or attracted to her.” Maybe he was attracted to her, but understand: Ruth is a widow, in mourning. Remember Boaz is described as a “worthy man.” As such, he would not have imposed himself upon a grieving widow, but would have allowed her space to grieve. Moreover, the tone of this passage suggests more to do with the upright character of Boaz than any attraction or pursuit of Ruth on his part.
We see God’s steadfast love - hesed - played out already in the lives of these people. From the love Ruth shows Naomi, to the kindness Boaz shows to Ruth (and by extension Naomi). All of this is orchestrated by the good God, who is not finished moving in the lives of these two widows. His plan is far from over.
As the story continues, Ruth works for Boaz the whole harvest. Ruth and Naomi are provided for, and Ruth is safe.
Now we come to chapter three, and a bit of plot twist:
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?
Let’s stop here, because again we have an example of hesed - this steadfast love this time exhibited by Naomi! Thinking of her daughter’s welfare, she realizes the need for Ruth to find “rest.” This type of rest was the common thing women in Israel hoped for: “Rest” in the home of a loving husband, cared for and secure.
Remember that Naomi had told her daughters to go home originally that they might find such rest among their own people. Ruth had given this up to stay with her mother-in-law. No doubt both God and Naomi saw this, and now God’s steadfast love will shine through again. God has been redeeming and will continue to redeem this story in might ways.
Now, here’s where the intrigue gets good. Naomi tells Ruth:
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.”
This is brazen! It’s a sure-fire way to wreck your reputation. Some servant girl goes to the land owner at midnight, uncovers his legs and lies down at his feet…? This could have been interpreted as prostitution or unwelcome advance. This could have easily ruined Ruth’s reputation - maybe even Boaz’s. Boaz could have easily destroyed her reputation. Most might have called this an “unacceptable level of risk.” Yet Ruth’s response is remarkable:
And she replied, “All that you say I will do.”
Ruth obeys, and goes that night to the threshing floor. She waits for Boaz, belly full and tired from the long day to pass out. Then she goes over, uncovers his feet, and lays down.
At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet!
At this point, anything could have happened. I wonder how Ruth would have felt. Yet here against, the loving kindness, the steadfastness of our God comes through.
Ruth identifies herself and then boldly proposes marriage to Boaz! She asks him to spread his wings over her. This carries with it protection and care. Why, because he is a kinsmen redeemer.
“If a stranger or sojourner with you becomes rich, and your brother beside him becomes poor and sells himself to the stranger or sojourner with you or to a member of the stranger’s clan,
then after he is sold he may be redeemed. One of his brothers may redeem him,
or his uncle or his cousin may redeem him, or a close relative from his clan may redeem him. Or if he grows rich he may redeem himself.
She asks the master to marry the foreign servant. What is Boaz’s response?
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.
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.”
Boaz demonstrates hesed - a loving kindness to Ruth in treating her not only as an Israelite, but with respect. Do you see God’s hand at work? This story of redemption is littered with God’s redeeming, steadfast love. Yet there is an issue: There is one closer in family ties who could - if he chose, redeem Ruth.
At this point we - as the readers - are sitting on the edge of our seats. Like, now what?? Perhaps Naomi’s words to Ruth will help us:
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 didn’t rest. He went and got the elders together for court. It seems that the timing was good because along came the other redeemer, just at the right time. (Another place where God moved). Boaz presents the issue: “Elimelech’s land usage rights are up for grabs. You’re a closer relative than I, if you want it, take it. If not, I’m going to.” The man readily agrees to claim usage rights to the land.
Please understand, Israelite law protected the inheritances that the people of Israel received from God when they came to the promised land. A kinsmen-redeemer could - if needed - take the land on behalf of the deceased and so keep it in the family.
Yet there was a problem: Ruth came as part of that. The man who married her would then father an heir, who would carry on the name of those who died. So then the name of the dead would live on, and the family would be redeemed.
What would happen to Ruth?
It is in this moment that things could have again gone south. The other guy could have said “no” to Ruth, but yes to the land. Or he could have agreed and then not followed through on Ruth’s behalf.
Instead, the man decides against taking the land and gives the responsibility and opportunity to Boaz.
Read Ruth 4:7-12
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.
So when the redeemer said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself,” he drew off his sandal.
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.
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.”
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,
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.”
In all of this, we see God’s hand at work, and a demonstration of hesed - loyal, steadfast love on the parts of God, Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz.
Ruth’s story shows us God’s steadfast love and redemption. How? First we see it in the lives of individuals. How all three of these care for one another, sacrificially giving of themselves for the other’s benefit. Yet also, we see it in God’s hand moving. He is clearly in the background throughout this story, moving His people, caring about them, carrying them. I’m sure when it was really bad for Naomi and Ruth it felt like God had abandoned them. Naomi said as much early on. Yet, God did not leave His people. Instead there’s this amazing story of redemption and God’s steadfast love at work!
In the Promise of Messiah
In the Promise of Messiah
But wait, how does the story end? let’s finish it out by reading Ruth 4 13-21.
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.
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!
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.”
Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse.
If the first way we see God’s steadfast love and redemption is in the lives of individuals, we see the great demonstration of this at the close of this book. We also find the other big connection to the rest of the Bible.
Boaz made good on his promise. He married Ruth. They had a child: a son.
In fulfillment of the blessing spoken by the people at the gate, God blesses Ruth and grants her conception.
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.
Redemption has come full circle! When Naomi first returned, she said this:
She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.
I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?”
She had come back empty, devoid of her family and her security. Yet now the women rejoice with Naomi. Though once without anyone, she now has her daughter-in-law, and a grandson to carry on the family line. God has redeemed what was tragedy. He has restored life to her.
But then we read the following:
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.
Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez fathered Hezron,
Hezron fathered Ram, Ram fathered Amminadab,
Amminadab fathered Nahshon, Nahshon fathered Salmon,
Salmon fathered Boaz, Boaz fathered Obed,
Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered David.
Anyone recognize that name? David. David - king David - was one of the ancestors of Jesus. Consider Jeremiah 33 17:
“For thus says the Lord: David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel,
The entire Bible points to Jesus. From the moment Creation happened to the moment eternity starts, Jesus is pointed to. As Savior, and conquerer, and as King. Here, we get a glimpse into how God not only cares for individual people, but uses them in extra ordinary ways! Ruth couldn’t have known it then, but she is in the lineage of the Messiah - Jesus Christ.
The foreigner, the outcast, the lowly servant, found redemption through the grace of God. By trusting Him, she was taken on a hard and yet beautiful journey that finally lead her to that place of “rest.” Yet God also used this “Moabitess” - this outcast - in the line of the Savior of the world. Not only is there redemption in that immediate timeframe, but God was busy forwarding the ultimate plan of redemption through these people.
God’s hesed to keep the line going
Reminds us of the promise throughout Scripture of the redeemer. (Foreshadowing?)
Conclusion/Application
Conclusion/Application
Ruth’s story shows us God’s steadfast love and redemption (Hesed).
God is so good. The connection of this book to the Bible is to show us God’s unfailing, steadfast love. First, we see God’s love and redemption played out in individual lives.
He never left Naomi or Ruth when they were destitute. Naomi may have felt like God had dealt bitterly with her, yet God works good in the midst of tragedy. He redeems Ruth, and Naomi. His love is poured out through the selfless actions of our main characters. And we see that for their faithfulness to God and His law, there is blessing!
And talk about blessing. Not only in the immediate, but we see God’s love in the story line of the Messiah Himself. Ruth is one of Jesus’ many great, great, great, many “greats” grandmother. Ruth - a foreigner and pagan - becomes through grace and redemption part of the story of redemption for the whole world.
The question is, so what? How does this touch our lives?
God’s steadfast love has redeemed us through Jesus Christ. Think of John 3 16:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
It is wasn’t for the mercy, grace, and love of God, where would we be?
This, though, calls us to live in light of the grace in which we now stand. How can we demonstrate the same steadfast, self-sacrificing love that we see Ruth, Boaz and Naomi exhibiting?
Maybe it’s with your kids, or your aging parents? Perhaps it’s a neighbor or co-worker. You have people all around you who need to feel the redeeming love of God. You are Christ’s hands and feet in a sin-ridden, dying world. What can speak life into this place we live? The light and the love of God in Jesus Christ.
So I want to encourage you to act according to God’s hesed. Demonstrate this to others. And maybe today you need to receive that. Look, God used the widowed, destitute, poor, and foreigner woman to forward the line of the Messiah. He can use you too, and He offers you the free gift of salvation and grace. I encourage you to accept the free gift of eternal life that God offers now, before it is too late. Ruth’s story shows us that God cares about you, and loves each one. So run to Him today, and give Him your all.
Pray.
How can we live with/in light of God’s Hesed?
