The Unfolding of Gods Plan
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The Unfolding of Gods Plan
The Unfolding of Gods Plan
20 And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.
Ruth
As I studied this wonderful passage I was reminded of the change that has taken place in such a short time.
In the beginning verses, Naomi and Ruth had returned from Moab with little hope or confidence in the future.
19 And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she shewed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man’s name with whom I wrought to day is Boaz. 20 And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the Lord, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen. 21 And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest. 22 And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field. 23 So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.
Little did they know that God was working on their behalf and had made provision for them.
Illustration of God working on the background:
Your crisis seems to be pulling you down:
its hard to get up and get moving
its hard to see any reason for going on
its hard to see anything good coming out of this
My friend, we all go through moments of anxiety, uncertainty, fear of unknown and challenges of life giving us a fix and making us feel like all forces of nature are working against us and ready to give us a technical knockout.
You may have a vision that is so clear that you are certain when you achieve it your life will take a complete turnaround but in between the present and the vision, issues, situations and disappointments seem to be ganging against your dream but God brings them so that you can learn lessons that will be very key to achieving your visions effectively, He is working behind the scene on your favor and that’s why today am sharing these verses with you:-
2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; Neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
5 Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, And gather thee from the west;
3 And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, And hidden riches of secret places, That thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.
Ruth set out one morning to glean in the fields, hoping to find enough leftovers to sustain two widows without any means of providing for them-selves.
It was in his field that Ruth found favor and abundance in one she had never met.
A day that began with uncertainty and fear had ended with hope and provision.
ruth 2.19-
Now the day has ended and Ruth has made her way back home. It is then that she discusses the unbelievable events of the day.
I The Kinship was Proclaimed
I The Kinship was Proclaimed
19 And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she shewed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man’s name with whom I wrought to day is Boaz.
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 3: Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel D. Ruth’s Conversation with Naomi about Boaz (2:17–23)
Naomi must have been amazed by what she saw, for her words tumbled out in rapid succession. There was a question concerning where Ruth had worked (actually two questions, but they occur as synonymous parallels) and a hasty blessing pronounced on the benefactor, unknown as yet to Naomi. Ruth identified him as Boaz, already known to the reader; but the narrator intentionally heightened the dramatic suspense by withholding the name till the end of the sentence.
Naomi must have been amazed by what she saw, for her words tumbled out in rapid succession.
There was a question concerning where Ruth had worked (actually two questions, but they occur as synonymous parallels) and a hasty blessing pronounced on the benefactor, unknown as yet to Naomi.
Ruth identified him as Boaz, already known to the reader; but the narrator intentionally heightened the dramatic suspense by withholding the name till the end of the sentence.
Where did you get this ......
Illustration - coming home with an unsuspecting surprise
Who was it that you found favor
You can almost anticipate the connecting the dots and seeing God in it .....
What are you looking at today? Not in the natural, but with your spiritual eyes. Are you facing challenges? Don’t just look at your problems day in and day out. Lift up your eyes and look toward heaven.
In we see what happens after Joseph was promoted in jail. “Then it came about after these things, the cupbearer and the baker for the king of Egypt offended their lord, the king of Egypt. Pharaoh was furious with his two officials, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker. So he put them in confinement” (vv. 1-3).
17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
john 5.17
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
The fog is clearing. the sun is coming out and the path has been prepared.
Illustration - PE exam 1991 auto accident night before test. could not study and jusrt had to trust God.
II The Kinship was Praised
II The Kinship was Praised
20 And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the Lord, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen. 21 And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.
Ruth 2.20-21
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 3: Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel D. Ruth’s Conversation with Naomi about Boaz (2:17–23)
On learning the name of their generous benefactor, Naomi pronounced a second blessing on him but acknowledged that it was the Lord who had not stopped showing his “kindness” (ḥeseḏ; the same word used in 1:8) to the living and the dead (cf. Gen 24:27; 2 Sam 2:5). This interpretation hinges on understanding the antecedent of the relative particle ʾašer (“who”; NIV, “he”) to be the Lord; some take the antecedent to be Boaz. Naomi added for Ruth’s benefit that Boaz was a “close relative.”
Naomi’s reference to “the dead” may show that she was already anticipating the outcome of the events. As a kinsman-redeemer (gōʾēl the first occurrence of this word in Ruth), under the levirate law Boaz could fulfill the duty of preserving the name of the dead by marrying Ruth. The root of gōʾēl means “to redeem, buy back.” The responsibilities of the gōʾēl included avenging the death of a murdered relative (Num 35:19), marrying a childless widow of a deceased brother (Deut 25:5–10), buying back family land that had been sold (Lev 25:25), buying a family member who had been sold as a slave (Lev 25:47–49), and looking after needy and helpless members of the family (Lev 25:35). It is difficult to know how conscientiously this law was observed since the the Israelites broke most of the covenant laws, but Jeremiah 32:6–25 indicates that it was still binding in the sixth century B.C.
21 Apparently interrupted by Naomi before her account was complete, Ruth continued by telling of Boaz’s instruction to her to remain close to his servants till the harvest was finished.
On learning the name of their generous benefactor, Naomi pronounced a second blessing on him but acknowledged that it was the Lord who had not stopped showing his “kindness”
He could have shunned her because she was a Gentile. He was obligated to let her glean around the edge of the field, but he was not obligated to provide for her as he did.
He chose to provide for her. Isn’t it comforting to know that we serve One who chose to get involved in our situation?
He chose to meet our need in the sacrifice of His body on the cross. He chose to leave the splendor of heaven, laying aside His glory for a robe of flesh, to walk among lowly men, even humbling Himself as their servant, so that we might be redeemed and restored unto the Father!
He chose to get involved in our salvation and He continues to be involved in our lives today.
It would have been enough to provide for our redemption and never offer another blessing. By doing that He provided far more than we deserve, but our blessing did not end with our conversion.
In fact they only began. Christ continues to meet our needs and bless our lives! –
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. – Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
Naomi’s reference to “the dead” may show that she was already anticipating the outcome of the events.
As a kinsman-redeemer , under the levirate law Boaz could fulfill the duty of preserving the name of the dead by marrying Ruth.
indicates that it was still binding in the sixth century B.C.
look at the excitement in vs 20 - this may work out .....
Thank you God
vs 21 - blessed be God he is not done with us yet .......
We give up
But God keeps up
We quit and walk away
But God gets us back into the game
Blessed be God he is not done with us yet
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
If cancer or paralysis or a car accident prompts us to draw on God’s strength to become more conformed to Christ, then regardless of the human, demonic, or natural forces involved, God will be glorified in it. A friend whose husband died wrote,
One thing that I’ve become convinced of is that God has different definitions for words than I do. For example, He does work all things for my eternal good and His eternal glory. But his definition of good is different than mine. My “good” would never include cancer and young widowhood. My “good” would include healing and dying together in our sleep when we are in our nineties. But cancer was good because of what God did that He couldn’t do any other way. Cancer was, in fact, necessary to make Bob and me look more like Jesus. So in love, God allowed what was best for us … in light of eternity.
Naomi is now seeing the good...
Naomi is now seeing the good...
III The Kinship was Pleasing
III The Kinship was Pleasing
22 And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field. 23 So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.
Ruth 2.
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 3: Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel D. Ruth’s Conversation with Naomi about Boaz (2:17–23)
Naomi expressed approval (“It will be good,” NIV) that Ruth was allowed the protection of going to the fields with Boaz’s maidens. She was aware that a woman of Ruth’s status could meet with harm if she worked alone in other fields (lit., “that they do not meet you in another field”; the verb pāg̱aʿ can mean “meet” or “encounter,” e.g., Exod 5:20; 1 Sam 10:5; but it is also used to mean “strike down” or “attack violently,” e.g., Exod 5:3; 1 Sam 22:17–18; 1 Kings 2:25, 29).
23 Ruth accepted Naomi’s counsel and stayed close to Boaz’s servant girls in the fields till both barley and wheat harvests were finished. She continued living with her mother-in-law, to whom she returned from the fields each evening. The two harvest seasons would have lasted for about seven weeks (cf. Deut 16:9), normally from late April to early June.
It came with benefits and protection ....
And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law This exhortation is actually three-fold. Naomi spoke words of:
And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law This exhortation is actually three-fold. Naomi spoke words of:
1. Comfort – It is good, my daughter. Moab had brought little to rejoice about.
They had suffered great loss and devastation there. But now in Bethlehem, among the field of Boaz, there was renewed hope.
We all face trials and difficulties in life. We have all seasons of heartache and despair, but all is not lost. There is hope in the Lord. It is good to dwell near Him. Naomi also spoke a word of:
2. Confidence – It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens. Naomi was aware that Ruth had gleaned in the field of Boaz.
She was confident in his ability to provide for them. She was not worried or concerned about Ruth’s well being or their future. She was in a good place.
3. Caution – It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field.
She knew that Ruth was where she needed to be. Naomi likely realized that God’s hand had led Ruth to the field of Boaz.
She was warned to stay in his field and not be found in another!
We need to watch the company we keep. We need to be mindful of the fields in which we glean. There is much in this life that may appear to be upright, but in reality it is just a deception of the enemy.
We must be careful where we go, with whom we associate, and what we glean and consume when it comes to matters of our spiritual well being! We have been called to be among the world, but not of the world.
– She headed the instruction of Boaz and the exhortation of Naomi. She was committed to the field of grace until the end of the harvest. She remained committed to Naomi as well, just as she had promised.
We must endure for the Lord. We must abide near Him, in the field of His abundant grace. We must determine to seek the good and well being of those whom we labor with. I want to do all I can for the glory of God and the good of His people!
We have considered a conversation that took place thousands of years ago between two widows that the world had given up on. It appeared that their lives would end in utter devastation, but God had a plan for them.
There is wisdom in these words that we need to head in our day as well. Have you considered the Man, Jesus Christ? Are you willing to follow the plan that He has for your life? There is hope, joy, and abundance in Him.
What Am I asking you to know?
Don't be discouraged God’s plan is unfolding in front of you.
She was aware that a woman of Ruth’s status could meet with harm if she worked alone in other fields
23 Ruth accepted Naomi’s counsel and stayed close to Boaz’s servant girls in the fields till both barley and wheat harvests were finished. She continued living with her mother-in-law, to whom she returned from the fields each evening. The two harvest seasons would have lasted for about seven weeks (cf. ), normally from late April to early June.
As I studied this wonderful passage I was reminded of the change that has taken place in such a short time. In the beginning verses, Naomi and Ruth had returned from Moab with little hope or confidence in the future. Little did they know that God was working on their behalf and had made provision for them.
Ruth set out one morning to glean in the fields, hoping to find enough leftovers to sustain two widows without any means of providing for them-selves. You can believe what you will, but I am convinced that God led her to the field of Boaz. It was in his field that Ruth found favor and abundance in one she had never met. A day that began with uncertainty and fear had ended with hope and provision.
Now the day has ended and Ruth has made her way back home. It is then that she discusses the unbelievable events of the day. I want to examine the conversation that Ruth had with Naomi as she returned from the field of Boaz. This conversation has a much different tone than the words that were shared between these women previously. As we consider the wonderful truths revealed in the text, I want to preach on: A Conversation of Hope. Their conversation dealt with two particular topics: They talked of a Man and They talked of a Plan. Notice first of all:
I. They Talked of a Man (19-20) – Keep in mind that Ruth has just returned with an ephah of barley, about a half bushel, enough to sustain them for a week. Naomi was quick to ask where Ruth had gleaned. It is then that they begin to discuss this man, Boaz. Their conversation reveals Boaz was:
A. A Man of Interest (19a) – And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. Naomi was already aware that Ruth had been shown unusual kindness and favor. She had brought an abundance of grain home, more than was typically found gleaning among the leftovers. She was curious who had taken knowledge of her while in the field. Who had shown interest in the Gentile widow from Moab? I rejoice in the day that Jesus took knowledge of me. I am grateful that He was interested in the soul of one who was undeserving. He came to me even when I was unaware of Him and blessed me with His abundance!
These verses offer hope to all of humanity. He is interested in each and every soul that has entered this sinful world. He was so interested and concerned with our need that He was willing to die so that we might live!
B. A Man of Integrity (19b) – And she shewed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man's name with whom I wrought to day is Boaz. Naomi had no idea where Ruth had gleaned. She rightly supposed that she had been in the field of a gracious man, but hadn’t realized that she had been in the field of Boaz. Naomi knew Boaz and his character. V.1 – And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz. We have already discussed the character of Boaz in a previous study, but I want to remind us of his integrity. He was a man known of his kinsman. He was a man of wealth and resources. He was thought of in high regard.
Remember that Boaz pictures Christ our Lord. We too have a Man of integrity who cared and provided for us. I am blessed to have relations with those of integrity, but none compare to my Lord. There are none like Him. – And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; – Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: – And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
C. A Man of Involvement (20a) – And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the Lord, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. Boaz chose to get involved in Ruth’s situation. He could have been critical of her. He could have shunned her because she was a Gentile. He was obligated to let her glean around the edge of the field, but he was not obligated to provide for her as he did. He chose to provide for her. Isn’t it comforting to know that we serve One who chose to get involved in our situation? He chose to meet our need in the sacrifice of His body on the cross. He chose to leave the splendor of heaven, laying aside His glory for a robe of flesh, to walk among lowly men, even humbling Himself as their servant, so that we might be redeemed and restored unto the Father!
He chose to get involved in our salvation and He continues to be involved in our lives today. It would have been enough to provide for our redemption and never offer another blessing. By doing that He provided far more than we deserve, but our blessing did not end with our conversion. In fact they only began. Christ continues to meet our needs and bless our lives! – Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. – Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
D. A Man of Influence (20b) – And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen. Naomi well understood the significance of Boaz’s relation to them. She knew he was a kinsman who had the potential and the resources to redeem them from their despair. Knowing that Ruth had gleaned in his field offered hope for the future. Boaz was able to completely transform their lives!
Many today just need to see Jesus for who He is. He has the power and the ability to transform a life of sin to a life of eternal hope. He can take a life that is filled with sin and shame and create a new creature for His glory. None can do what Jesus can do. None can influence and transform as He!
– He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. – There-fore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. The influence of Jesus is powerful and it is lasting. When He changes a life, it is for eternity!
II. They Talked of a Plan (21-23) – In the remaining verses we find that Naomi was aware of the significance of Ruth’s encounter with Boaz. Naomi offers some words of wisdom regarding Ruth’s conduct in the future.
A. A Word of Instruction (21) – And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest. Here Naomi and Ruth discuss the words of Boaz. He spoke of:
1. The Place – Ruth was instructed to stay by his servants, only in his field. If she was to enjoy the harvest, she had to stay in the field. The same is true for us as well. It makes no difference whether we are believers seeking the abundance of the Lord or a lost sinner seeking salvation. We must abide in the field of grace. – Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
2. The Time – Ruth was also instructed to remain in the field until all the harvest was ended. She had to know where to be and when to be there. This wasn’t something for the faint of heart or uncommitted. We too must be where God would have us to be at the appointed time. Many have missed their blessing because they were not there at the appointed time.
Today is the day of salvation for those who are seeking the Lord. Now is the appointed time. – (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) If God is dealing with your heart, there is no time like the present.
The saved are called on to be mindful of the time as well. We are nearer the Lord’s return than ever before. – Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you. –Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. – (above.)
B. A Word of Exhortation (22) – And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field. Naomi offers words of exhortation, words of encouragement to Ruth regarding the field of Boaz. This exhortation is actually three-fold. Naomi spoke words of:
1. Comfort – It is good, my daughter. Moab had brought little to rejoice about. They had suffered great loss and devastation there. But now in Bethlehem, among the field of Boaz, there was renewed hope. We all face trials and difficulties in life. We have all seasons of heartache and despair, but all is not lost. There is hope in the Lord. It is good to dwell near Him. Naomi also spoke a word of:
2. Confidence – It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens. Naomi was aware that Ruth had gleaned in the field of Boaz. She was confident in his ability to provide for them. She was not worried or concerned about Ruth’s well being or their future. She was in a good place. There is much that the world offers that is questionable at best. It offers little that brings hope, encouragement, or even benefit. We can be confident in our blessed Lord and even in His people. There is nothing like gleaning in the field of grace alongside the children of God! Naomi also offered:
3. Caution – It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field. She knew that Ruth was where she needed to be. Naomi likely realized that God’s hand had led Ruth to the field of Boaz. She was warned to stay in his field and not be found in another! We need to watch the company we keep. We need to be mindful of the fields in which we glean. There is much in this life that may appear to be upright, but in reality it is just a deception of the enemy. We must be careful where we go, with whom we associate, and what we glean and consume when it comes to matters of our spiritual well being! We have been called to be among the world, but not of the world.
– So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law. In closing we find that Ruth stuck to the plan. She headed the instruction of Boaz and the exhortation of Naomi. She was committed to the field of grace until the end of the harvest. She remained committed to Naomi as well, just as she had promised.
We need to realize that the best intentions in the world are of no benefit if we are unwilling to remain committed to the cause. We must endure for the Lord. We must abide near Him, in the field of His abundant grace. We must determine to seek the good and well being of those whom we labor with. I want to do all I can for the glory of God and the good of His people!
We have considered a conversation that took place thousands of years ago between two widows that the world had given up on. It appeared that their lives would end in utter devastation, but God had a plan for them.
There is wisdom in these words that we need to head in our day as well. Have you considered the Man, Jesus Christ? Are you willing to follow the plan that He has for your life? There is hope, joy, and abundance in Him.