Ruth 3 - Searching For Rest

- Searching For Rest

I’ve titled this sermon Searching For Rest. The reason for that should be clear as we make our way through chapter 3 today.

i’m not talking about the rest you need when you’re sleepy.

it’s way more than that

[Wedding this past week]

part of the ceremony, when describing the attraction that brings a couple together

“when, in a man, a woman finds the rest and satisfaction her heart has been unconsciously seeking, it is a revelation from above and makes all things new.”

that’s the kind of rest we’re talking about today

Read vs. 1

to this point, Naomi has only been concerned with 3 people: me, myself and I

to this point, Naomi has only been concerned with 3 people: me, myself and I

but, over the course of these chapters, she has experienced God’s hesed love, his faithful, covenant love for her and her heart has been softened.

through ruth’s commitment to her and the provision of Boaz, Naomi has found a new hope.

Iain Duguid says that, “bitterness drives us inward into self-absorbed depression, but true repentance enables us and motivates us to start to serve other people’s needs.”

now Naomi wants to help Ruth find the rest in a husband she had originally blessed her with back in chapter 1 when she tried to get Ruth and Orpah to return to their homes in Moab.

1:9

she’s feeling parental toward Ruth and wants to secure a permanent home for her

Ruth needed a husband and home of her own… but who would marry this outsider? Moabite women did NOT have a good reputation.

The nation of Moab originated in an act of incest between Lot and his daughter

In , Moabite women led the Israelite men into sexual immorality and idolatry

Marrying a Moabite woman would at least have been socially awkward, if not worse. Who would be willing to take such a risk?

And now Naomi begins to lay out her plan

Read vs. 2

Boaz is a close relative. He’s been kind to us so far, but things aren’t progressing!

So Naomi thinks it’s time for Ruth to take things into her own hands…

she continues with her plan...

‘she continues with her plan...

Read vs. 3-4

Read vs. 3-4

anyone else feel a little uncomfortable with Naomi’s plan??

i mean...

get clean

get dressed up

spray the good perfume

wait until it’s dark

go lie down with him

and uncover his feet

and let’s just see what he tells you to do next....

kind of men that live there

ruth’s reputation as a Moabite woman

So… Ruth agrees to follow Naomi’s plan to the letter, gets dolled up and heads down to the threshing floor

Read vs. 7-8

Ruth has put herself in a very risky situation… placed herself directly in harm’s way for the sake of Naomi.

Now, we’re expecting Boaz to give Ruth instructions of what to do next… let’s see what happens.... can you feel the tension???

Read vs. 9

Ruth throws a curve ball… instead of leaving the situation dangerously unclear, as a woman of character, Ruth wanted to make her intentions clear upfront. She was seeking a commitment to marriage, not a single night of passion.

spread your wings over your servant - spread your garment over your servant

other place it is found is in Ezekiel:

Ezekiel 16:8 ESV

8 “When I passed by you again and saw you, behold, you were at the age for love, and I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your nakedness; I made my vow to you and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Lord God, and you became mine.

Read vs. 9-11

this is God the Father talking about his covenant commitment to the people of Israel.

Read vs. 10-11

last kindness greater than the first

first kindness was working in the fields to support Naomi

second kindness was seeking Boaz’s hand in marriage instead of someone young or rich… why? because if Ruth would have sought out a young guy… a rich guy, which she had every right to do, she would have been looking out for herself.

but by seeking out Boaz, she was looking out for Naomi, because Boaz was a close relative of Naomi, a redeemer, and marriage to him would not only provide security for Ruth but land and a possible heir for Naomi!

that’s why Boaz tells Ruth, “I will do all that you ask” it was clear that Ruth was not only seeking a husband for herself, but a redeemer for Naomi as well

Boaz, although not under legal obligation, (if he was, this whole elaborate plan would have been unnecessary) was willing to take the risk that marrying Ruth entailed. He was willing to pay the social and financial costs of committing to this foreigner.

Turns out, Ruth and Boaz were a great match! Boaz says all the people in town know that “you are a worthy woman”

same word used of Boaz by our narrator in chapter 2 verse 1

Ruth was a woman of worth… just like the woman described in

check this out… in the Hebrew Bible, the book of Proverbs comes right before the book of Ruth. that’s right… the last chapter of Proverbs describes the woman who fears the Lord, and then you turn the page and you read the story of Ruth!

look at some of the things says:

- Woman of worth

what a connection!

Boaz says Ruth is THAT kind of woman!

And Just as the reader can almost hear the wedding bells ringing, there’s a problem, or at least a hurdle that needs to be crossed...

Read vs. 12-13

a closer relative. he had to have first dibs. although he hadn’t stepped up to this point. But Boaz is a man of character, and he knows a conversation must be had with the other, closer redeemer before he can marry Ruth.

Read vs. 14-15

Finally, Ruth makes it home and gives Naomi an update from the events of the night before...

Read vs. 16-18

empty vs. full

when Naomi arrived back in Bethlehem, she told everyone she was empty

empty from famine - Boaz provides wheat

empty from childlessness - Boaz will provide a seed

empty from childlessness - Boaz will provide a seed

Ruth and Boaz, both examples for us in how to show hesed love toward others

Ruth and Boaz, also pointers to Jesus and our answer when searching for rest

Jesus did the same for us. Like Ruth, Put himself in harm’s way on the cross for us.

Like Boaz, He took the risk of committing himself to a foreigner like me… like you… so that he could purchase our freedom, our security, that we could never afford on our own.

His invitation is for everyone.

are you looking for security? find it in Jesus the Strong Tower

are you looking for satisfaction? find it in Jesus the Bread of Life

are you looking for peace? find it in Jesus the Prince of Peace

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

let’s pray