Ruth 3 - Choosing to Trust

Intro

Opening illustration: Collapsing RV cover.

I had ambitions: an outdoor chapel for the youth group, a dining area, etc.

The inspector gave a warning.

As long as I was under the RV roof, I had great anxiety that it could collapse anytime on me.

Finally, I gave in. I listened to the inspector, and moved everything out.

Then the collapse.

What does insecurity mean?

Vulnerable to collapse

The state of being open to danger or threat.

Like the shed, there are things we have in life that have not collapsed yet, but our imagination makes us fearful.

Your graduation.

A spouse.

Friendships.

Provision.

It is possible to have an insecure situation while still having a secure heart.

But insecure situations often expose or reveal an insecure heart.

Recap the Story:

Context

This is a love letter during the time of Israel’s greatest disobedience.

Judges.

Chapter 1

A man leaves Israel to disastrous consequences. Him and his two sons die, and they leave three widows: Naomi, Orpah, and Ruth.

When Naomi decides to reluctantly return to Israel, she tells her daughters to not come with her since there is no future for them in her homeland. Orpah agrees to leave, but Ruth clings to Naomi because she sees something special about her God.

Naomi is bitter at the Lord and does not see the good that God is doing through Ruth.

Chapter 2

Because of their desperate situation, Ruth is forced to provide for them by gathering up the leftover grains in the field. She happens to enter the field of a man named Boaz, who is taken back by the sacrificial character of her love for mother in law, and seeks to bless Ruth on behalf of Yahweh.

Boaz encourages Ruth to stay in his field where he promises a form of security and provision at his own expense.

This news shocks Naomi who reveals that Boaz is a redeemer, a person who has the potential to buy back the family property.

Introduce Leverite Marriage:

Definition: A custom commanded by God that in the case of the death of of a man, the nearest relative must marry his wife to provide for her.

Numbers 27:11 ESV

And if his father has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to the nearest kinsman of his clan, and he shall possess it. And it shall be for the people of Israel a statute and rule, as the Lord commanded Moses.’ ”

Cons:

The first son you have continues the dead relatives name.

That son inherits the dead relatives property.

You now have to provide for another man’s family.

Pros:

You now have a wife. Yay!

It was a way of providing for family in the case of death, but it had one big issue. The guy who had to do this lost something: the son he had with that wife would not be counted as his own son. It would be counted as the son of the man who passed.

You paid child support, lost the property, and ultimately would not expect your name to continue.

Guys did not like doing this.

Marriages and relationships promise two things:

Security

Pleasure

Reasons for Boaz to reject Ruth:

She is a Moabite.

He is not the nearest redeemer.

Her child would not even go to Boaz.

He would have to provide for not just Ruth but Naomi.

Age-gap.

What do we do in desperate situations? We seize control. We are so nervous we won’t get married, so we are so willing to sin out of insecurity.

How to Obey God in the Midst of Insecurity:

Be humble even in the scheme of others (vv. 1-5)

Setting: Weeks have gone past - (2:23)

Disclaimer: My view has been changing on Naomi’s plot.

v. 1 - “Trust me Ruth, this is what’s good for the both of us.”

v. 2 - “This is the obvious choice. Tonight is the night. You want this now.”

v. 3 - “Make yourself pretty. Don’t let him see you. We want to catch him off guard.”

v. 4 - Uncover his feet/legs, wait for him to initiate.

Reasons Naomi wanted Boaz to Impregnate Ruth:

The lewdness of uncovering and lying down.

Threshing floor’s being places of sexual misconduct (Hosea 9:1-2).

Waiting until after eating and drinking.

Language of her going in secret.

The public nature of leverite marriage.

Naomi wants Ruth to wait for Boaz to initiate.

Naomi knew there was a closer redeemer, but wanted to seize the opportunity of contact between the two.

Parallels with Tamar

There is a lot of scandelous overtones.

Why is Naomi doing this?

She knows Boaz is a good guy. So if he got Ruth pregnant on accident, he would have to fulfill the vow!

Naomi’s insecure situation revealed her insecure heart.

Authority above me having mixed motives tends to foster in me an attitude that I don’t have to listen to them.

v. 5 - Ruth is submissive. But she has more of a plan up her sleeve.

Ruth could have gone after other young men, Boaz is not necessarily the best option for her individually. But he is for Naomi.

Proverbs 3:5–6 ESV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Though Naomi is in sin, Ruth sees a way she can honor Naomi and honor the Lord.

Application: There will be others that show an insecurity and will want you to feel the same way. They will invite you in to schemes to gain what they want. Humbly love them, but that does not mean you have to sin like them.

Christ is the greatest example of this, enduring with disciples, willing letting himself be persecuted.

Guard your mind against the excuses of Naomi.

This is the only girl that will ever love me.

I need to cheat on this test to make sure I don’t flunk out.

This is the only way.

I want this now.

What about on the other end? If you are in a Ruth like situation?

Mixed motives from your authorities does not give you liberty to disobey.

Ruth does not have the same anxiety that Naomi does, but she loves Naomi.

Be holy even in the expense of yourself (vv. 6-13)

v. 6 - Ruth obeys according to the “command.”

v. 7 - The stage is set for Boaz who is merry and vulnerable. Ruth comes in sneaking.

vv. 8-9 - In the shock of the moment, Ruth waits for Boaz to initiate, but she seizes the moment. She tosses aside her own plans, she tosses aside the romance, and she appeals to something greater. Love.

She quotes Boaz’s verse back at him and appeals for him to show the love of God.

What is more important that the security a marriage offers? The security God offers.

Ruth - “Would you take care of me as a representative of the God you serve?”

This is the foundation of a good marriage, a good relationship. One that is founded on schemes and deception will continue to have that long after.

What was more important to Ruth?

Covenant loyal love.

Naomi wants rest and security.

True love does two things:

Puts God first - Ruth obeys the Lord and trusts him.

Puts others first - Ruth gives up her preference

Ruth’s insecure situation revealed her secure heart in the Lord.

Application: In the areas of your life you are insecure about, always ask two question. How do I glorify God and how do I bless other people?

Example: In dating relationships, people are tempted to go for the ultimate romance. It is better to trust God with your love story.

Christ endured shame, exposure, and death at his own expense. Trusting God every step of the way.

If it’s a relationship, be okay not having one now or establishing wise boundaries. It may push some away, but it will protect you.

If it’s school, be willing to do poorly on a test if it means not cheating.

If it’s friendships, do not endorse sin, even if it means losing friends.

Be hopeful even in the uncertainty of circumstances (vv. 14-18)

If Ruth went along with Naomi’s plan, it might have worked. Her choosing to obey God deliberately slowed it down.

v. 14 - She stayed long enough so she would not be in danger traveling, but left early enough so no one would see and accuse of scandal.

v. 15-18 - The barley is like an engagement ring. It guaranteed that Ruth would be rewarded for her obedience. Maybe not today, but tomorrow.

Illust: imagine if we gave food for engagements.

Naomi sees that their situation is going to be okay.

Application: Obeying God now might not make the present better. But God guaruntees that he will bless it later.

Jesus knew his death would be worth it despite the pain.

Your obedience is worth it.

Application: This is what gives you courage to:

Confess sin to your parents. It may be painful but it will be worth it.

Say no to temptation and scheming now. It may be painful but it will be worth it.

Conclusion:

Reminder, Christ was Humble, Holy, and Hopeful.

Conclusion: Christ is your only true security. In seasons of insecurity, focus solely on trusting and obeying him.

When your security is the Lord, you won’t scheme in the night.

Think of the sheds of your life that you fear are going to collapse. Trust it to the Lord.

Like Boaz, Christ is working to redeem you, and man’s schemes do not thwart it.