Snowblast #3

So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabite her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.

Ruth 1:

Naomi and Ruth make it too Bethlehem in time for the barley harvest.

Bethlehem means House of bread

As barley is used for what= making bread.

It just so happens that they make back in time for the harvest to being.

This meant that Naomi and Ruth could get settled in and begin to store up crops to last them, so they do not starve.

Remember that Naomi and Ruth do not have anybody to provide for them, they are going to have to do this on their own.

More likely Ruth is going to have to do this on her own, and provide for Naomi and herself.

God is very much in control as they have moved from Moab and came in just at the right time to Bethlehem.

Just like in this situation, God also directs our paths.

God Directs our Paths

Ruth 2:1–7 ESV

Now Naomi had a relative of her husband’s, a worthy man of the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz. And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.” So she set out and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers, and she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the clan of Elimelech. And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem. And he said to the reapers, “The Lord be with you!” And they answered, “The Lord bless you.” Then Boaz said to his young man who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?” And the servant who was in charge of the reapers answered, “She is the young Moabite woman, who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab. She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves after the reapers.’ So she came, and she has continued from early morning until now, except for a short rest.”

We find out that Naomi has a relative, named Boaz.

Boaz means strength= Much better of a name than Naomi’s sons named Sickness and Dying.

Anyway, we are introduced to a new character of this story, Boaz.

Who is a worthy man.

This term is interesting because it talks about Boaz as being noble, he is a man of substance, he is well off, he has money.

We can even go further and describe Boaz as a genuine mensch.

If you have seen the office this is a german term meaning someone of high integrity and honor.

In this section we see Ruth begin to take over as the main character.

Ruth is being a servant here, she is telling her mother in law, hey, let me go out and glean the land for food.

Gleaning means going behind the harvesters and taking what is left behind.

It is virtually like cleaning up the crumbs after you eat a meal.

You may just get bits and pieces but you may also end up with a whole roll.

This is what Ruth is volunteering for.

Ruth who was an outsider, was asking to go and be with the people of Isreal, who most likely was not very kind to her.

Naomi, says sure go my daughter.

While on paper they made be in laws we have already seen that Naomi has made this jump in calling her her daughter before and she is doing it here again.

We have to keep in mind that Ruth is all that Naomi has left.

She is her only family.

She is her clan.

Now I want to draw your attention to verse 3.

Ruth Chapter 2:3

Ruth 2:3 ESV

So she set out and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers, and she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the clan of Elimelech.

She just so happened to come to this field of this dude, who is related to Naomi, who just so happened to be there on this day.

We would say what a small world, yet that would be denying God, his clear involvement in bringing Ruth here.

A lot of times we see God speaking to others especially in the OT and giving them direction.

Yet in this story we do not see God speaking to Ruth, yet God still was clearly directing the path of Ruth.

Here is the deal loved one, no matter what got you on that bus to get you here, do not think for a moment it was by chance.

Everyone is here for a reason and a purpose, whether you have a rock solid relationship with God, or are miles away from being a believer, God has you here for a reason and He has pulled the strings to get you here.

God is involved in our lives and directing our destinies.

Do we have free choice yep we sure do, but I can tell you from personal experiences that things happen and doors shut, and plans change, and when I look back and see where I was, and see where I am now, I can see God’s hand all over the situation.

God was actively involved with leading Ruth to this field.

Picking back up with the story, we see Boaz shows up this day!

WOW!

Who would have guessed that?!?!

A lot can be said about what type of person Boaz is, I want to do my best not to speculate too much, but look at verse 4

Ruth 2:4 ESV

And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem. And he said to the reapers, “The Lord be with you!” And they answered, “The Lord bless you.”

Boaz begins the conversation with his people and it seems to be one that is positive, in which is people reply from .

Numbers 6:24 ESV

The Lord bless you and keep you;

Sounds like a well liked guy overall.

And it does not take long for Boaz to see a strange person in his field.

Ruth was very noticeable as she was an outsider.

Boaz was filled her with her story.

God has not only directed Ruth to this field but also Boaz has showed up and was there to check on his field when he notices this woman and he hears about her story.

And Ruth is a hard worker.

She has been there all morning and has only rested once.

Ruth’s character was also impeccable.

Rather than dating, relating, and fornicating, this single and broke young woman worshipped, worked, and waited.

With the two women likely very hungry and desperately in need of food, Ruth asked her mother-in-law, Naomi, for her approval to glean in the fields.

In this request, we see that the women had hit the proverbial rock bottom.

Ruth took a great risk, venturing out in faith as a foreign woman to scavenge for food in a new town.

Ladies— Be a humble servant, nothing is beneath you. Be brave, and be noble.

Be humble and gracious, and work hard, not to be noticed but to provide.

#becominglikeRuth

Men— this is what a woman to chase after looks like.

#FindingRuth

You see we sometimes get in a huge hurry and we jump the gun and do things on our own, yet God has a plan for your life.

God wants you to trust him and listen to him and follow him to where he is leading.

How do we determine what the will of God is?

We talk to him in prayer time, we listen to him in silence, and we read about him and earnestly seek direction from him.

Not only does God direct but God provides safety.

God provides Safety

Now in the context her, Ruth could have gone anywhere, and she is a single woman, in a big city, where she knows one person.

If you were in her shoes who would you trust?

Who could you trust?

She was an outsider, and she most likely was being treated like one at other places she went.

Recall it took Boaz zero time to recognize her as an outsider in his field.

Others were probably doing the same thing.

Yet look at how he responds to her.

Ruth 2:8–16 ESV

Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Now, listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women. Let your eyes be on the field that they are reaping, and go after them. Have I not charged the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink what the young men have drawn.” Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?” But Boaz answered her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!” Then she said, “I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, for you have comforted me and spoken kindly to your servant, though I am not one of your servants.” And at mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come here and eat some bread and dip your morsel in the wine.” So she sat beside the reapers, and he passed to her roasted grain. And she ate until she was satisfied, and she had some left over. When she rose to glean, Boaz instructed his young men, saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her. And also pull out some from the bundles for her and leave it for her to glean, and do not rebuke her.”

Ruth 2:

Boaz is a safe guy.

He is instructing her to not leave his field.

Even though she is kind of robbing him a bit, because Boaz could take the extra stuff that was missed and get the full amount of money for it, yet he is saying glean as much as you want.

But not only that, but also keep close to these other ladies, they will watch out for you.

And I have talked to all the weird young men, who will seek you out to mistreat you, and I have told them to leave you alone, and not to even touch you.

And one last thing, when you are thirsty get a drink.

Boaz isn’t looking to score here.

He is not doing this so he can win Ruth over.

He is not looking for anything in return.

He is doing all of this because of the character of Ruth.

What Ruth is hearing is too good to be true.

She ask him why has she found favor.

Ruth 2:11 ESV

But Boaz answered her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before.

You are a noble woman Ruth.

You are a servant, you are selfless, and you are willing to do what it takes to provide for your mother in law.

Then in verse 12 Boaz is praying for her.

Ruth 2:12 ESV

The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!”

May the Lord bless you, because of your humility and sacrifices.

May God take care of you and may you seek protection from the God of Isreal.

Boaz is praying over her.

It is interesting that Boaz is praying that God would reward her, but he was also the answer to God rewarding her.

In this, Boaz is like Jesus, who prayed that sinners would be forgiven while hanging on the cross and then died to answer His own prayer and enable forgiveness.

This is the image of Jesus who while he was hanging on the cross, calls out to God,

Luke 23:34 ESV

And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.

As Jesus is hanging on the cross taking on the weight of sin he is praying LORD FORGIVE THEM!

Jesus was the

Spurgeon had often been quoted as calling Jesus OUR GLORIOUS BOAZ!

The second part of the prayer we must also look at.

Boaz is calling Ruth a lovely small bird that is vulnerable yet has found safety in under God’s wing.

Knowing that she is an outsider.

She is despised, Boaz offers her protection with not a request of something more.

I believe that God wants to protect us, yet there are going to be moments of hardship.

Boaz offers safety here.

Ladies you want to find a man is a safe.

Guys- you want to be a safe person.

In the example of Boaz, we see nine aspects of safe people:

· Safe people understand the Father heart of God.

· Safe people care about our safety.

· Safe people introduce us to other safe people.

· Safe people enforce good boundaries.

· Safe people are generous.

· Safe people encourage our character.

· Safe people pray we would flourish.

· Safe people provide comfort and kindness.

· Safe people point us to God as our safe place.

Ladies wouldn’t it be nice to find a man who put these things into action?

That the pressure of Sex was off the table.

That he was just being nice because he knows God’s heart and is pointing you find safety in God’s wing and not in him!?!

#findingBoaz

Guys!

Don’t be slimmy.

Don’t be one that is going to do all this expecting something in return.

THAT IS NOT HOW IT WORKS.

Guys who do this are creeps, they take advantage of women, because all the ladies want is to be treated with Boaz is treating Ruth with no expectations!

Safe People do not ask for pictures of each other naked.

Yeah don’t think I don’t know what goes on in the snapchat world.

I read an article last week that made we weep for the future of my two daughters.

Safe people do not ask each other to compromise their convictions.

Safe people do not pressure people to have sex

Safe people do not have side honeys

Safe people do not make you feel empty

Safe people point you to Jesus

I think you understand what I am say right?

Ladies find a safe guy.

Guys be safe guys.

Ladies be safe ladies

Guys seek safe ladies.

We see that although Ruth was a despised Moabite who had worshipped a false god, God both saved her and blessed her.

God did this through His invisible hand of providence that was made visible through the hand of Boaz, a masculine man of honor who walked hand-in-hand with Him.

Likewise, to God we are each Moabites—outcasts, idolaters, and unworthy of grace or favor.

But just as Boaz came to his field to speak with and care for Ruth, so Jesus, our great Boaz, came to His earth to give us gracious favor and take us under His proverbial wing.

We see that God directs and we see that God protect and lastly we see that God send.

God Sends a Redeemer

Lets pick back up the story.

Ruth 2:17–23 ESV

So she gleaned in the field until evening. Then she beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley. And she took it up and went into the city. Her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. She also brought out and gave her what food she had left over after being satisfied. And her mother-in-law said to her, “Where did you glean today? And where have you worked? Blessed be the man who took notice of you.” So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked and said, “The man’s name with whom I worked today is Boaz.” And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the Lord, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!” Naomi also said to her, “The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers.” And Ruth the Moabite said, “Besides, he said to me, ‘You shall keep close by my young men until they have finished all my harvest.’ ” And Naomi said to Ruth, her daughter-in-law, “It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his young women, lest in another field you be assaulted.” So she kept close to the young women of Boaz, gleaning until the end of the barley and wheat harvests. And she lived with her mother-in-law.

Ruth comes back and she has so much barley!

Some estimate that is was about 30 to 50 lbs.

This would have been a couple weeks worth of wages or today the equivalent to a coupe thousand dollars.

Naomi has some questions.

As any good mom would, where did you get all of this stuff, who did you rob and what did you have to do for it?

She proceeds to tell her everything and how a man named Boaz was kind to her.

Now Naomi says something here we must discuss.

Ruth 2:20 ESV

And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the Lord, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!” Naomi also said to her, “The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers.”

Ruth 2:

First it is good to see Naomi who was bitter last chapter in a place of faithfulness, as she is praying that God would bless this man.

Giving us a window that shows, even in our bitterness we can still call out to the Lord.

Naomi uses a word that is very interesting here called Hesed, which means kindness or loving, and she is praising God for not forgetting her and for showing her this love that she does not deserve.

The New American Commentary: Judges, Ruth Scene 4: The Results (2:17–23)

It wraps up in itself an entire cluster of concepts—love, mercy, grace, kindness, goodness, benevolence, loyalty, and covenant faithfulness

It can be boiled down to commitment and love.

But the main focus is here in the second part of verse 20.

This man is a close relative of ours, he is one of our redeemers.

Alright stay with me here.

A redeemer in this context is very important.

Mark Driscoll states this about what a redeemer is:

In the Old Testament, the redeemer was a relative who would literally redeem people and property.

If someone sold themselves into slavery/servitude to pay off a debt, the redeemer was the family member who could purchase their freedom ().

If a widow was in need, the redeemer would care for her (), and if someone was murdered, the redeemer would avenge the crime ().

If someone was going to lose land because of poverty, the redeemer was the family member who would save the land by paying off the debt ().

This statement is what sets up the rest of the book.

Naomi is seeing that Boaz is a redeemer and She is hearing how Ruth had a really good encounter with Boaz.

She is putting two and two together.

Meaning that the redeemer would not be for her.

by saying you know that tall drink of water is our redeemer, meaning that he is someone that may end up taking care of us.

This shows us again that Naomi expects others to see Ruth as her daughter.

She is thinking maybe lets set something up but she doesn’t push it here.

This relationship be

Naomi just encourages here to stay close to the people Boaz told her to be close to and she did.

Nothing else is mentioned in this chapter as the chapter ends with the end of the harvest.

In closing, we see the themes of the hero of this section of Ruth ultimately illustrated in the Hero of all of Scripture, Jesus Christ.

As Spurgeon said, Jesus is “our glorious Boaz” who came to His earth to look upon us with love like Ruth and care for us like Boaz though He had no obligation to do so.

Jesus is our hesed and the lovingly gracious kindness of God was extended to us as a gift of God for our eternal life—much like the hesed that was given to sustain the life of Ruth.

And, like Boaz, Jesus is our great Redeemer who died, paying our debt of sin, thereby redeeming us… although he was in no way obligated to do so.

Even though we do not deserve His love he pours it out all the more.

You see in marriage, life in not always about sunshine and daisies.

It is hard work and if you fail to bring this Hesed love into your marriage, when you wake up one morning not really feeling very in love with your spouse, you will being to wonder what is wrong with you.

This will lead to fights and worry.

Yet by setting this idea of Hesed love you set the will of love that no matter the actions of the other nor how you are feeling this commitment and love win out regardless of how you feel.

I hate see marriages that end because, we just don’t feel in love anymore.

It is hard work, but is the more rewarding.

Somedays I don’t feel like loving my wife and there are days where Brittni doesn’t feel like loving me.

Yet are commitment and our covenant together is based on Hesed love rather then puppy-dog love.

Puppy-dog love ends, the honeymoon ends and then that is when the hard work beings.

God gives direction

God protects

And God redeems.

Do you need clarity on one of these areas?

Seek it out from the Lord.

Seek it out, as he is read for you.

Pray