Redeemer's Covenant Love- Ruth 2

The Joy of our Salvation

As we saw last week, Naomi is marked by bitterness, Ruth sees the need to cling to Naomi and follow her back across the border into Naomi’s homeland, Bethlehem, a place that did not openly welcome Moabites. Regardless of this cultural division, Ruth loves and commits to being at Naomi’s side through the devastation that the family had been through. Through this process, Ruth grows to appreicate and have a desire for a personal relationship with not only Naomi’s native people, but also their God, the God of Jacob, Elohim. In chapter one are able to see Christ as our “Companion in the chaos”.

Now onto chapter 2 where the Lord begins the restoration process through His provision.

Introduction: Walking in a field- enjoyed the large presence, the provision to the livestock. I have great memories as a child running and playing in the middle of a field. Each fall I still take atleast one day to deer hunt in this area, and I have so many amazing memories flood my mind as I walk through the field. Memories of going to this same field for Easter sunrise services. A place of escape, wonderment, and playful joy. A place where the dawn is a beatiful place of peace and rest. Isn’t that the case with the harvest field of our Savior?

Kinsman Redeemer:

The kinsman-redeemer is a male relative who, according to various laws of the Pentateuch, had the privilege or responsibility to act on behalf of a relative who was in trouble, danger, or need. The Hebrew term (go el) for kinsman-redeemer designates one who delivers or rescues.

Verse 1-3: Relative of Naomi’s Husband- Boaz- Son of Rahab. (Leviticus 25)

Ruth has the desired and sees the need to go out and glean in the field after the reapers. This provides some additional clarity to their current state. (Leviticus 23:22) (Deut. 24:19- widows).

Illustration-St. Lucia trip- Seeing the poor- Hard working people- yet poor. Christian music playing in the market- joy in the midst of poverty.

Ruth goes on to the field desiring that a provider take notice of her. This seems to be a common field that is parsed in a few different ways. I do not believe that when the text says “Him” that it is entirely directed to Boaz at this time. “Him seems to have been a general statement toward a man who may be able to become her provider. It seems more likely that she met Boaz after she had stumbled into his field based on verse 3. If so, it seems that the Lord directed Ruth in her steps toward this man.

Also, take notice that although the Moabites were not a welcomed people in the land, the Lord had provision for them as “strangers” within the Levitical law.

Verse 4-7: Boaz arrives on the scene and interacts with his reapers. His workers and slaves in the field. Boaz immediately provides an exemplar leader through the way in which he treats his workers. “The Lord be with you”. Do you ever run into another believer in the work place and just see the Love of Christ embodied on that person? How refreshing!

Boaz begins to inquire who this woman in the field is. I am sure that based on how she is gleaning, he ultimately knows her current state, yet it also indicates that he takes notice of her willingness to work for what she needs. This is a great principle we see here, “if you have an abundance, be generous, if you are lacking financially, then work hard!”

Verse 8-16: Boaz and Ruth have their first interaction. Boaz as the strong leader (name means strength) approaches her and inquires if she will listen and therefore submit to his words. He tells her to go no further for her needs. He basically is saying, I will supply everything you need. He encourages Ruth to fellowship with the other women (most likely maidservants) in the group, and to not go far from them. He then makes mention that he has warned his workers to not touch her when it comes to a further relationship. Her provision and protection will come from Boaz and his field. When Ruth hears these words, it as if the weight and burden on her soldiers had been lifted and she is overwhelmed that a Hebrew would seek to take notice, provide and protect, and welcome a foreigner. Boaz responded by listing out the testimony he had heard about her. Later on in chapter 3 he goes on to tell Ruth that he has heard of her being a virtuous woman throughout the town.

I heard a short clip this week that asked what men want most in a relationship. The pole revealed that men want to be a protector and provider. In the same clip the question was asked, what is one thing in the early stages of a relationship that speaks the most about another person, and the pole loudly showed results, that the most popular opinion was “how people treat or speak of other people positively or negatively in front of them”. Our testimony, our mindset, and how we view others greatly affects others. Here Ruth continually is caring and loving for Naomi, and Boaz sees that.

Ruth realizes how huge this is and even notes in verse 13 that she sees the reality that she is not like one of his maidservants! Yet Boaz sees her in the proper light. Spouses, we need to see each other as Christ sees us. Could any man have picked her apart? I am sure! However that is not the example we see her. We are seeing the beginning stages of a man who seeks to provide and protect and a woman who is exhibiting humility and submission.

Verse 17-22. Ruth goes back to Naomi and testifies of what had occured. I have to imagine that this was a great encouragement to Naomi. Not only through the reaping of Ruth’s hard work in the field, but also to hear that there is providing hope in Ruth’s future. Verse 20 speaks to the reality that Naomi faces. Do you want to know what kills bitterness? Praising the Lord and affixing our eyes on the God of all hope shatters the evil lens of bitterness. The chaos, the devastation, all still may run through her mind frequently, but the bitterness does not have to exist. Naomi seems to have a moment where she repents and gets realigned with the God of all comfort. Naomi begins her encouragement to Ruth on what to do next. It seems that Naomi has been regenerated and reignited in her approach and mindset. Single folks, it is always wise to take counsel from an older married woman. We will see in chapter 3 that Naomi continues this instruction through 4 practical steps. For now, she instructs her to remain in the field owned by Boaz. To say, stay close by him, be around him and his people, and know where to find him.

Although I am sure all of this is so thrilling for Ruth, she still sees the need to dwell with Naomi.

The big idea:

There is one spiritual kinsman Redeemer. Relative by being fully man, yet full God. One who has seen us in the light of reality, yet seeks to provide and protect. One who provides the means to survive and praise throughout devastation, trial, and turmoil. One who from the beginning has made a way for salvation and restoration. One who has taken notice of us. Christ, as our kinsman redeemer has supplied in our poorly state, yet doesn’t see us a foreigners or even cutoff Moabites, but people He loves dearly. We are to submit with humility and walk in the fields with our Redeemer. Our God reigns. He provides us with His Church, who can fellowship with, remain accountable to, and walk together following our redeemer, who surely does live today!

In the movie, “The Rookie” a movie about a boy who dreamed of playing in the big leagues one day, Jimmy Morris finds himself focused on the game no matter the season or location that his family would relocate to on a regular basis due to his father’s military assignments. After moving multiple times and tracking down the nearest baseball team to play for, they landed in Big Lake Texas. While driving through the town for the first time, Jimmy pointed out the oil rigs going up and down into ground. When Jimmy asked his father what they were his dad responded “When those things are moving, it means times are good”. The movie began with the oil rigs moving up and down indicating times were good, in the middle, they had stopped, Jimmy’s life was looking rough from his perspective, then the movie ends with the oil rigs back in motion, and the small town of Big Lake Texas was back in business. You see, we often place emphasis on things around us providing context on whether or not things are good.

A Hymn of Faith- Habakkuk 3:17-18

17 Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— 18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

Psalms 52:10-12 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

Application: Enjoy the harvest field of your Savior. Don’t allow your past to keep you from gleaning His Word. This is where the Joy of our Salvation is sourced, this is where the God of all comfort resides, this is where we can come before Him regardless of our state. (Children covered in mud). How do we view poor people? We are a people of great wealth. Do you see people regardless of the darkness and mire? Ruth provides a great example of looking past flaws and clinging to one another. Boaz provides clarity to who our Savior is and the function He provides to our dysfunction.

On the walk this week, enjoy the provision and protection of the Savior’s field. He loves you.

He is “ The Companion in the chaos”, and today we see that “He is the Joy of our Salvation”.

As 105 children come to play and glean in our field this week, look beyond the mire and the clay, provide for them, protect them, and love them.