(Ruth 3:1-18) We are stubborn, Yet God is merciful.

21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,

But can a believer be opposed to the power and wisdom of God.

That is to be

bitter

or angry at God.

And I think you can.

We all have meet people who are angry or bitter against God.

- Whether it be some perceived wrong,

- or suffering that God allowed.

But they have come to a point they are mad at God.

Some of us have lived in periods life - where we have struggled with what God allowed in our life.

There is a fine line here,

but I believe as we look at the character of Naomi

>>>> we could easily describe her as in rebellion and angry at God.

((((It is not the kind of rebellion that she does not believe in God )))

but a kind of rebellion that fails to depend on God.

It fails to submit the power and wisdom of God.

And it fails to recognize that suffering and hardship often are apart of God’s love.

As we consider the book of Ruth -

What can we observe about Naomi’s motives?

She is more concerned about food than obeying God.

Just consider this brief survey of Ruth.

Ruth 1:1 – Naomi leaves Bethlehem, the house of bread, to go to Moab because of a famine.

Ruth 1:6 – She returns to Bethlehem because the famine is gone. In other words - She is after food again.

Ruth 1:8-18 – She tells her daughter-in-law’s, Ruth and Orpah, go back. I do not have any husband to provide for you.

Ruth 1:19-21 – She tells us she is bitter against God. Call Mara, not Naomi.

This is a women who trusts in her own means, rather than in her God.

Rather than trusting in Yahweh’s promise in Deuteronomy 28,

blessings and cursing’s,

she is looking for her own way.

But God has been working in her life.

And we observe the providential hand of God upon her life.

As I began here - I must mention

The book of Ruth - is not like other books.

That is… it doesn’t outright tell us how God is working in their lives.

Nevertheless .. in masterful irony and seemingly providence

>>>> We learn that God is good and merciful and providentially ruling in their lives.

Consider the amazing provision of Ruth 3.

Ruth 3:1–18 (ESV)

Ruth and Boaz at the Threshing Floor

3 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.” 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.” 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. 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.”

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.” 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. 16 And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “How did you fare, my daughter?” 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.”

From this text - I will show you that -

Believers should Trust in God’s Mercy

And in this passage God showed mercy to Ruth and Naomi in three-ways.

How did God show incredible mercy?

To begin with -

1) God Overlooked Naomi’s Continued Stubbornness. (Ruth 3:1-5)

Consider how indecent - Naomi’s instructions were.

a. Naomi’s instructions were indecent.

Ruth 3:1–5 (ESV)

Ruth and Boaz at the Threshing Floor

What was Naomi’s instructions?

Bath,

perfume up,

and sneak around until Boaz is asleep.

The situation was a little unethical.

What does this situation sound like?

What does this situation appear like?

This sneaking around was not the kind of moral high-standard that we would expect from a believer in Yahweh.

This doesn’t exactly sound like keeping the Law.

It at the very least has an image of indecency.

Further,

b. Naomi’s instructions were risky.

Think about this?

How might her instructions been confused?

This proposal could have been a disaster.

Slide

Consider the possible outcomes:

a. Boaz accepts misinterpreted sexual invitation

b. Boaz rejects the misinterpreted sexual invitation

c. Boaz responds favorably and honorably to Ruth.

Two out of the three outcomes would have been disastrous for Ruth’s reputation and completely turned off the kinsman-redeemer.

It could have ended with a disaster.

And

Where did such a scheme come from?

>>>>>>>Naomi

The saddest part is -

c. Naomi’s instructions neglected Yahweh.

There are no references to Yahweh in Ruth 3:1-5.

The entire conversation is recorded in this passage and there is no suggestion that Yahweh is even on her mind.

In fact,

What is she doing here?

She scheming for long-term provision.

Ruth 1-2 teaches us she is a women driven by food.

She is a women is scheming for how to get food.

And We can relate?

It’s scary to get into financial situations where I do not know where the next meal is going to come from.

But at this point in our story

>>>> She has already begun to recognize God’s hand in her life.

Ruth 2:20 (ESV)

20 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.”

She knows and sees that God is providing for them in the background.

So how does she respond to that truth?

She continues to seek her own means of food.

And - The whole time Deuteronomy 28 promises the blessing of food if they seek his face.

Deuteronomy 28:1–5 (ESV)

28 “And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. 2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. 3 Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. 4 Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. 5 Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.

God has promised provision if she would obey him.

However,

instead she is constantly seeking her own means of provision.

In that way,

she is just as guilty of self - idolatry because she is worshiping her own self.

She is trusting herself rather than Yahweh.

But, how do we view God in this?

What is Yahweh’s character in this story?

>He has shown steadfast love to Israel as a nation.

Ruth 1:6 (ESV)

6 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the fields of Moab that the Lord had visited his people and given them food.

>He has providentially lead her to a generous kinsman-redeemer.

Ruth 2:3 (ESV)

3 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.

God has shown incredible mercy.

And yet even now, we see Naomi scheming rather then trusting Yahweh.

She is scheming how to bring Ruth and Boaz together.

She is neglecting God in her plans.

There is no observable trust in her relationship,

but instead a focus on providing what she needs.

<<<<<She is stubbornly rebelling against God,

Rather then trusting him >>>>>>>>>

Yet,

the rest of this chapter demonstrates God’s continued mercy towards Naomi and Ruth.

How God overlooked her continued Stubbornness.

God is merciful.

>>>>He overlooks the stubbornness we do not even realize we have.

Further, Consider how -

2) God Guided Naomi and Ruth’s Life. (Ruth 3:6-13)

Look how Boaz responds -

a. The Plea of Ruth: A proposal for marriage (3:6-9).

Ruth 3:6–9 (ESV)

TELL THE STORY.

“Went down”- coming down from the hill city of Bethlehem

“his heart was merry” - She finds him a good mood.

Softly – secretly

In the middle of night ,

he realizes there is a women at his feet.

He asks her > “who are you”

And She makes her plea:

Put Wings over me – euphemism for him to marry her.

And how does Boaz respond?

Observe,

b. The Promise of Boaz (3:10-13).

Ruth 3:10–13 (ESV)

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. 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.”

“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.”

What was her first kindness?

>Her first kindness was her steadfast love towards Naomi.

Ruth 2:11–12 (ESV)

11 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. 12 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!”

What does he mean by the second kindness?

He is flattered that she choose him over a younger man.

She has chosen a man based on character rather than age.

He calls on God to bless Ruth for her continued character.

He accepts her on the basis of being a “worthy” woman.

Ruth 3:11-12

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.”

He openly promises to take Ruth as his wife.

What does this say about God’s mercy?

Remember,

Naomi in 1-5 schemed a risky, indecent, and Godless plan.

The Proposal could have been a disaster if he had:

a. Accepted Misinterpreted Sexual Invitation

b. Boaz rejected a misinterpreted Sexual Invitation

Yet Boaz did understand that this is a marriage proposal.

Despite the fact that Naomi sought her own means,

God choose in his infinite wisdom to bless it.

He allowed Ruth to come to Boaz without being recognized,

allowed him to understand the request,

and put in his heart an interest for Ruth that was sufficient for marriage.

Despite Naomi’s disbelief

>>>> God had mercy upon her.

- He allowed the proposal of Ruth to go unhindered.

- Her hope of a kinsman-redeemer came true.

In the case of Naomi,

God is guiding her life even while she is not trusting in him.

She is rebelling in bitterness

at the same time God is delivering her from her suffering.

We should trust in God’s mercy.

We should trust in God’s providential hand.

And observe how this story concludes.

3) God Provided Deliverance for Naomi and Ruth (Ruth 3:14-18)

The final section describes how God provides deliverance from poverty and suffering for Naomi and Ruth.

Ruth 3:15–18 ESV

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. 16 And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “How did you fare, my daughter?” 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.”

We observe the

a. Preparation for Redemption (3:14).

Observe how Boaz prepares to do what he has promised.

He tells >>>> presumably to his workers not to let anyone know that Ruth came to him.

He wants to keep the matter secret.

Why would he want to keep the matter secret?

He wanted to be able to have the advantage when talking with the nearer relative.

He was serious about having her as a wife.

He was even trying to use surprise to gain the advantage in the negotiation.

He wants to win the right to kinsman-redeemer. He wants to redeem Ruth.

Also notice that

b. Boaz provides an Earnest Payment (3:15-17).

Some scholars have thought this could be for a dowry for the family. (aka Naomi)

This may be true,

- but either way it is an earnest payment, a down payment, for Ruth as a wife.

- It carries the idea of being a guarantee of his promise.

This guy is the real deal. He plans on redeeming Ruth and Naomi from poverty.

And we read of his

c. Persistence of the Kinsman-Redeemer (3:18)

He carefully, and purposely negotiates to win Ruth as his wife.

Naomi recognizes that Boaz plans on keeping his promise.

That he would resolve the issue of redeeming Ruth and Naomi that day.

So the,

preparation,

the earnest payment,

and the persistence all demonstrate the commitment of Boaz.

But even further -

They demonstrate that God has given Ruth and Naomi in mercy the hope of redemption.

They have hope

for the first time since they left the land of Moab without husbands.

ILLUSTRATION:

In Ruth 1:21,

Naomi is speaking of the hidden hand of God.

The providential hand that moves about human affairs to the purpose God intended it.

Ruth 1:21 ESV

21 I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?”

She describes God as stretching his hand out,

and moving pieces on giant chess board.

In v. 21, she made that point to justify her bitterness.

Yet, the hope that we see here in Ruth 3 is that same kind of hidden hand.

God in his mercy has brought tangible hope to Ruth and Naomi.

CONCLUSION:

I realize,

that it is hard to understand the importance of chapter 3 without having read chapter 1-2.

Yet if we would take the time … we would realize that Chapter 3 represents -

a huge sigh of relief.

but also a demonstration of God’s loving, merciful hand.

Chapter 3 demonstrates how -

1) God Overlooks Naomi’s Continued Stubbornness. (Ruth 3:1-5)

2) God Guides Naomi and Ruth’s Life. (Ruth 3:6-13)

3) God Provides Deliverance for Naomi and Ruth (Ruth 3:14-18)

EXHORTATION:

I think sometimes we have a hard time seeing how God’s word connects with our lives.

But I think certain places in our Bible really help us understand.

Many of us can see ourselves in Naomi.

There is a fine line between trusting Jesus and trusting oneself.

APPLICATION:

How do we know if we are trusting ourselves -

Just take Naomi’s example here.

We start leaving God out of our plans.

- We don’t pray.

- We don’t consider wisdom from his Word

We are willing to take foolish risks.

And we are willing even sin to get what we want.

These are all signs, that we are stubbornly looking to ourselves,

rather then trusting God.

But also -

God’s working in Naomi’s life demonstrates -

1) God is good

Even overlooking are persistent stubbornness and bitterness.

2) God Guides our Life.

He is the ultimate chess player,

not simply playing to win the game.

But moving the pieces to show us love and mercy.

There are a number of themes that come out of Ruth.

Providence

Goodness of God

Judgement

And today I have focused on the mercy that is going on in Ruth.

Mercy is defined by Rolland McCune as -

God’s mercy is His compassion, pity, kindness, tenderness, and gentleness toward miserable sinners. (McCune, Systematic Theology)

Can we be in rebellion against God?

If that means we are unwilling to submit to the power and wisdom of God,

yes.

In fear and despair we can choose our own means,

even a means that is unethical.

And we can do it over and over.

This is the case of Naomi.

But we also see that God sheds his mercy .

He is our ultimate guide,

providentially bringing about our good.

It does not mean we will not suffer,

but it does mean God loves us even when we are in the midst of sin and bitterness.

He has mercy on us.

As we leave hear this morning - I call us to remember>>>

God is the father of mercy and sheds his comfort upon his people.

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