Untitled Sermon (2)

ruth

English Standard Version Chapter 15

4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

patient endurance,

encouragement drawn from scriptures,

we might hold fast to and cherish hope.

Instruction, encouragement, hope. Where do we find these 3 elements in the book of Ruth and what might God want to say to us through what was written in former days?

3:18 Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out: for the man will not rest until he finishes the matter today.

4:1 Then Boaz went up to the city’s gate and sat down there.....

still- settle, inhabit, dwell

learn-revelation

matter- account

finishes-completes

Boaz “went up”

Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Hebrew (Old Testament) 6590 עָלָה

go up, ascend, rise, i.e., have an object move upward in linear motion (Ex 19:20); (nif) be lifted up (Ex 40:36, 37; Nu 9:17, 21,22; 10:11; Eze 9:3+); (hif) take up, carry up, bring (Ex 3:8), see also domain LN 15.165–15.186; 2. LN 53.16–53.27 (qal) sacrifice, i.e., offer a presentation to deity as an act. of worship or obligation (2Ki 3:20); (hif) offer a sacrifice, present (1Sa 6:14); (hof) be offered up (Jdg 6:28+); 3. LN 15.34–15.74 (qal) go away, i.e., leave an area in linear movement (Isa 5:24); (nif) withdraw, move away, move on (Nu 16:24, 27; 2Sa 2:27; Ezr 1:11; Jer 37:5, 11+); (hof) carried away

city’s gate- place where business is done, the courtroom, place of legal proceedings and rulings

“Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died— more than that, who was raised— who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.”

intereceeding-

plead, appeal for, petition

psalm 138:8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hand.

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Boaz- protector, provider, coverer, redeemer, intercessor

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.

Redeem the land, take back territory previously lost.

2 Kings 8:6 ESV

And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed an official for her, saying, “Restore all that was hers, together with all the produce of the fields from the day that she left the land until now.”

Elisha and the shunamite woman

appoint for her an official, restore ALL that was hers

What has been taken from you? How has life taken you off course?

How do we typically respond to these events?

Obedience, trust, fidelity are key. Stay in God’s field, keep gleaning, keep getting stronger, keep staying close to God’s people, and trust that the LORD will fulfill His promises and that HE IS working on our behalf.

Lamentations 3:58 ESV

“You have taken up my cause, O Lord; you have redeemed my life.

Isaiah 61 ESV

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. Strangers shall stand and tend your flocks; foreigners shall be your plowmen and vinedressers; but you shall be called the priests of the Lord; they shall speak of you as the ministers of our God; you shall eat the wealth of the nations, and in their glory you shall boast. Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion; instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot; therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion; they shall have everlasting joy. For I the Lord love justice; I hate robbery and wrong; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. Their offspring shall be known among the nations, and their descendants in the midst of the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are an offspring the Lord has blessed. I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations.