Ruth 3

Ruth 3 Have you ever clearly seen the Lord through the actions of somebody else? (story) It can be so inspiring for us to see. It’s refreshing, in a way. It bolsters our faith, inspires us to action, and reminds us of who the Lord is. The Bible is full of stories in which we can clearly see the Lord through the actions of His followers. What’s more, we can see the very heart of our God ourselves, through His own words, wisdom, and even His lamentations. When we read the Bible, there is so much to be gained from asking the question “where is God in this?” … it reminds us of who He is, is inspires us to take steps of faith, it reassures us when our world is unbearable hard and He seems far away. We can clearly see who the Lord is in how each of the characters in this story choose to act. 1. Naomi responds to the Lord’s blessing with a step of faith. Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, should I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you? 2 Is not Boaz our relative, with whose young women you were? See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. 3 Wash therefore and anoint yourself, and put on your cloak and go down to the threshing floor, but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 But when he lies down, observe the place where he lies. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what to do.” - Began in sorrow “call me Mara” Gives thanks to the Lord in response to Boaz’s kindness. She can clearly see how the Lord is moving, gives her faith to tell Ruth to pursue the “family redeemer” commandment. 2. Ruth humbly takes a risk because she has faith in where the Lord has called her. 5 And she replied, “All that you say I will do.” 6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law had commanded her. 7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. Then she came softly and uncovered his feet and lay down. 8 At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet! 9 He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.” - Walking up the hill in the dark, scared, hopeful There certainly was a risk - her being a foreigner, viewed as inappropriate visiting Boaz at night Perhaps she was wondering if choosing the Lord was worth it - possibility of choosing younger men, etc. If this went wrong, she could lose her only source of livelihood for her and Naomi, or possibly stoned - Yet she went willingly, because she was loyal to her family and the place God had called her to, 3. Boaz gladly redeems Ruth because of his dedication to following the Lord. - We have already seen that Boaz is a natural shepherd, being led with generosity because of the Lord’s commandments, and teaching his servants to do the same. Here we see his heart much more completely, in how he responds to this humble request. A. He blesses Ruth 10 And he said, “May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. B. He fulfills his promise without hesitation 11 And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman.12 And now it is true that I am a redeemer. Yet there is a redeemer nearer than I. 13 Remain tonight, and in the morning, if he will redeem you, good; let him do it. But if he is not willing to redeem you, then, as the Lord lives, I will redeem you. Lie down until the morning.” C. He preserves Ruth’s honor 14 So she lay at his feet until the morning, but arose before one could recognize another. And he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” D. His actions and character prove his commitment. 15 And he said, “Bring the garment you are wearing and hold it out.” So she held it, and he measured out six measures of barley and put it on her. Then she went into the city. 16b Then she told her all that the man had done for her,17 saying, “These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said to me, ‘You must not go back empty-handed to your mother-in-law.’” 18 She replied, “Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest but will settle the matter today.” Each of these things are done through Boaz. They are clear symbols of the Lord working through him to provide redemption for Ruth. But, they are not just here for us to say “wow, what a guy.” They are not just here for us to say “I should live more like Boaz” (though we should definitely strive to do so). The same God that inspired Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz to live and act through faith is the one who inspires us to do the same. He is the one who provides this same kind of redemption to us. How? Let’s look at the parallels between this story and the Gospel message. God provides redemption for us, just as He did for Ruth and Naomi. 1. We have no inherent value of our own. Romans 3:23 - “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God… - Just as Ruth had no inherent value (as a foreigner and as a sinner), we also can bring nothing to save ourselves. 2. God provides a path to redemption for us. Romans 3:24-25 - “...and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. - Just as He provided a way to redeem the family of Ruth and Naomi, He also provides a path of redemption for us. 3. God blesses us Romans 4:6-8 - “Just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: 7 “Blessed 8 blessed - are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.” Just as Boaz blessed Ruth when she asked Him to redeem her, so God blesses us. 4. God fulfills His promise without hesitation Romans 5:8-10 - “...but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.” - Many suspect that Boaz was already aware of his duty, and was planning on redeeming Ruth’s family. God has already provided that redemption for us through the death of His son on the cross. 5. God raises us to a place of honor. Romans 8:1-2 - “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.[a] 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you[b] free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” - Just as Boaz preserved Ruth’s honor by allowing her to sleep at his feet and sending her home before light, God honors us by freeing us from living in condemnation or guilt for our past sin. He gives us value and honor. 6. God’s actions and character prove His commitment to us. Romans 8:31-32 - “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be[i]against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? - Just as the actions of Boaz proved his commitment to Ruth, Naomi, and the Lord, so also do the Lord’s actions prove His commitment to us through His promise. The Bible is God’s story. We can see Him in every action, every circumstance. Our faithful response of service comes from His character, as displayed through the Bible. Who Christ is, and what He’s done, determines who we are and how we live. Perhaps today you came in here with very little faith. Perhaps you have forgotten the character of the Lord. Praise the Lord for His continued reminder to us in His word. Let us remember the blessings He gives us: Romans 8:35-39 - “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” I