Advent 2007 -3- God Makes a Way - Ruth: A Way Out of Abandonment

Reading: Ruth 3:1-18
Then Naomi said, “Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today.” Ruth 3:18 (NIV)

I.   From poverty to Emptiness

     A.  A Devastating start (1:1-5)

           1.  A famine drives a family across the border

                 a.  1ce land-owners; now migrant workers

                 b.  Moab=a people despised by Israelites

                 c.  Imagine the despair that requires this!

           2.  All the men die

                 a.  1st Elimelech =my God is King

                 b.  Then after marriage without kids both sons

                 c.  Mahlon=weak; Kilion= failing / pining

     B.  Alone and Depressed

           1.  Naomi has lost everything

                 a.  Her husband and her only 2 children

                 b.  She is totally defeated by life’s blows

                 c.  Without love, without hope, without means

           2.  She goes home alone & depressed

                 a.  She wants to be alone (1:8-9)

                 b.  Don’t call me Naomi =pleasant (1:20)

                 c.  Call me Mara=bitter

           3.  She returns empty (1:21)

                 a.  The Lord has afflicted her: has no hope!

                 b.  Or so it seems to her

                 c.  God is already providing tho she can’t see it: Ruth & the Harvest!

     C.  An amazing Commitment (1:16-17)

           1.  Ruth won’t let her go (Ruth=friend)

                 a.  Ruth: no legal/cultural obligation to her

                 b.  But we see her love & devotion

                 c.  Her commitment is like a marriage vow

           2.  She won’t let God go either!

                 a.  What had she seen in Naomi/Mahlon?

                 b.  What had she seen in Moabite gods?

                 c.  She binds herself to God as well!

           3.  Or has God taken hold of Ruth?

II.  A Bold proposition

     A.  A time of Harvest (1:22; 2:2, ff)

           1.  The famine is over! (1:6)

                 a.  A time of plenty – of abundant provision

                 b.  The blessing is coming in!

                 c.  Hints at the blessing to come

           2.  Ruth meets Boaz (Boaz=quickness)

                 a.  As it turns out=as God planned

                 b.  Boaz is the 3rd channel of blessing

                 c.  He treats her well, gives her protection

           3.  Naomi starts to come out of her shell (2:20)

                 a.  Surprise turns to blessing!

                 b.  The afflicting Lord, now shows kindness

     B.  Naomi has a Plan (3:1,ff)

           1.  Boaz can be the husband Ruth lost!

                 a.  Her preoccupation w/ self is over

                 b.  She wants to do something for Ruth

           2.  She has a scheme to get Boaz for Ruth

                 a.  Like the story of Tamar but w/ propriety

                 b.  Dress like a bride-to-be

                 c.  Go catch him alone, in the dark

                 d.  Only risky, if Boaz is not a good man

     C.  Ruth Proposes to Boaz

           1.  Ruth prepares herself as a bride

                 a.  A bath, nice clothes, perfume (3:3)

                 b.  Does all Naomi says (like Esther) (3:6)

           2.  She uncovers his feet & lies down there

                 a.  Uncovers: suggestive but not immoral

                 b.  Ruth puts herself at her redeemer’s feet

                 c.  Act of submission/waiting for a blessing

           3.  Boaz understands her proposal (10)

                 a.  The redeemer wakes (did his feet get cold?)

                 b.  He knows what she intends!

                 c.  He is honored that she wants him!

III. A Gracious outcome

     A.  Boaz responds Generously

           1.  He protects her integrity (14b)

                 a.  She is a woman of noble character

                 b.  He protects her through the night

                 c.  He sends her off before 1st light

           2.  He gives her food (15)

                 a.  more than enough! Around 60-90 lbs!?

                 b.  Not a bribe, but a 1st fruits of his harvest

                 c.  A part of the abundance God is giving

     B.  Boaz responds Faithfully

           1.  He must clear this with another first

                 a.  He cannot marry Ruth without clearing it!

                 b.  Another unnamed man has 1st right/duty

                 c.  He publicly releases the other

           2.  He accepts responsibility for Ruth’s family

                 a.  He chooses what is not required of him

                 b.  As Ruth was not required to help Naomi

                 c.  As God is not required to redeem us!

           3.  He publicly secures Ruth as his bride (4:9-10)

                 a.  Out of love for her

                 b.  Out of obligation as kinsman-redeemer

                 c.  May your family be like Perez’s (4:12)

                 d.  Ruth reminds them of Tamar (but better!)

     C.  God blesses with a Child

           1.  Emptiness replaced with fullness

                 a.  Forsakenness replaced with love

                 b.  Naomi has a “son” she has family again

           2.  The child= kinsman-redeemer (4:14-15a)

                 a.  He will renew and sustain her life (4:15a)

                 b.  She takes this blessing in her lap

                 c.  His is named Obed=servant

           3.  And the Lord enabled her to conceive (4:13)

                 a.  Reminds us of Jesus’ conception!

                 b.  God’s hand rescues us from emptiness

                 c.  In the manger a child-redeemer named Jesus=Savior

The Bottom Line:

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