Untitled Sermon (2)

But now, thus say the LORD,

… Now it shall spring forth...

There are seasons in our lives that the power of ‘NOW’ makes all the difference. Its a mixture of perfect timing, serendipity , planning and opportunity. Its a moment that stands on the shoulders of other smaller or bigger past moment that climax to the current moment. Without the past moments the present ‘Now’ wouldn't be possible.

The first day at a now job, first day you bring your child home, last day of high school, the morning of your college graduation. All these are a results of many previous days and moments that had to have happened as planned to climinate to the present moment.

Before we look at Ruth, lets establish the foundation. In God outlines a ‘Now’ moment in the story the people of Israel and the house of Jacob. He (the Lord) stands in a moment in time and declares two things … He has redeemed them and He is doing a new thing. ‘Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I declare, before they spring forth I tell you of them.’ But in the ‘Now’ is at hand and what He had declared to come is now here.

God was now redeeming His people after through disobedience He had allowed the Assyrians and the Babylonians to capture Israel.

Just like is in the middle of Israel capitivity and restoration, Ruth is in between eras - the era of Judges are ending and the era of Kings is springing forth.

‘Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled that there was a famine in the land.’

And just like Ruth, Impact Family church is in their own version of a ‘Now’ season. Five years from now the narrative of the time will begin some like.. “Now it was end of summer and we had to pack everything and prepare to move...”

In light of this we shall look through Ruth and learn from the various ‘Now’ moments and glean from the book on postures we too can stand in our own moments of ‘Nows’

People in Ruth we shall look at

Naomi - A woman who had a well planned life and normal things but life throws her curve balls and in every now moment she determines to move on, even if it means changing places and names.

Orpah - One of Naomi’s daughter-in-law. Ordinary girl with ordinary life.

Ruth - The other daughter-in-law to Naomi who in her ‘now’ moments does unthinkable things that make her life go from normal to Christ geneology.

Boaz - A legend in his own right who in his ‘now’ moment changed the prayers of every single lady from that time to present.

, The Lord said to Abram, “Leave your land, your family’s household for the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation and will bless you. I will make your name respected, and you will be a blessing. … Abram took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all of their possessions, and those who became members of their household in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan.

Oldest first..

Naomi

, The Lord said to Abram, “Leave your land, your family’s household for the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation and will bless you. I will make your name respected, and you will be a blessing. … Abram took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all of their possessions, and those who became members of their household in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan.

Now it came to pass, in the days when judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons.

Two women following husbands to lands unknown. One because the Lord had spoken and had promised to be well with them, the other because their homeland was in hunger and the future uncertain.

Naomi was married to a Levi or from the linage of Levis (Priests)

Sarai was married to an ordinary guy who had a relationship with the Lord.

Both women were submitted to their husbands… Submission is voluntarily action regardless of the person in the receiving end.

What is really known about Naomi?? She followed her husband and her sons died and Ruth listened to her and then… that’s about it. Naomi is more know by what is happening around her than what she actually is.

By using context clues Naomi can be described as a strong willed woman who has alot to teach us.

Vs 3 .. “Then Elimelech died; and she was left, ...” Naomi was left with her two sons in a foreign land - There is a heaviness in that verse. She was left and now she had to take care of providing for her family; her sons.

Nows in Naomi’s life -

Leaving Judah - Just like Sarai faced with relocation logistics she did her best to facilitate their remaining there in Moab.

Being a widow - After Elimelech died Naomi facilitated for her sons to get married and she was mother-in-law in Moab for 10 years.

A grieving mother returns home She lost her two sons and she determines to return to Judah.

Orpah

New bride to a foreigner - Married to Chilion and lives and learns from her in-laws on the Jews ways. As a foreigner total assimilation is not possible. For 10 years she must have picked up afew things here and there about being a jew.

A young widow following her mother-in-law -

A young widow returns to her home and her people - After listening to her motjer-in-law she opted to return back to Moab where her family and gods were. Familiarity of her former things.

Ruth

New bride to a foreigner - Married to Mahlon and just like Orpah, Ruth lives and learns from her in-laws on the ways of the Jews.

A young widow following her mother-in-law - And again just like Orpah, Ruth finds herself packing up her life and heading out to a place she has only heard of.

A young widow speaks up ‘against’ her mother-in-law - Naomi looks at her blink world and tries to convince her two daughters-in-law to turn back, but Ruth hears none of that. And vows her own life to Naomi.