RIGHTEOUS LIVING IN THE MIDST OF RELATIONSHIPS

RIGHTEOUS LIVING IN THE MIDST OF RELATIONSHIPS: RUTH 3

Introduction: God created human beings to live in relationships. After creating Adam, God described the need for Adam to have a companion (Gen. 2:18). This was not an inadequacy of God’s creation, but a declarative statement that human beings are not meant to be alone.

Our relationships are varied, including marital relationships, parental relationships, employment relationships, governmental relationships, and so forth. We have best friends, acquaintances, and people we are “friends” with on Facebook.

Perhaps the most intimate relationship is the marital relationship, the relationship between the husband and wife. It is this relationship, by the way, that God has provided a physical representation of the intimacy between Christ and His Church (see Eph. 5:22-33).

As we think about Ruth’s life, we cannot help but realize that this young lady lived righteously in the her relationships. She married an Israelite, and upon his death took an oath to follow his God and her mother-in-law. As we saw in chapter two, Ruth was incredibly submissive to her mother-in-law, and with others, including Boaz. And this provides us with an excellent segue into our focus in chapter three. In chapter 3 we see how Ruth’s relationships were based in righteousness. Whether her mother-in-law, a potential spouse, or people in society, Ruth’s relationships were marked by righteousness. She was a lady of the utmost integrity. And if we are to live righteously in an unrighteous world, we must follow Ruth’s example. But as we will see this morning, Ruth’s example provides a glimpse into the character of the Messiah and our Savior, Jesus Christ.

I. RIGHTEOUS RELATIONSHIPS FOCUS ON OTHERS- 3:1-5

We notice first that righteous relationships focus on others. They are other-centered, if you will. Naomi, a older widow, does not concentrate on finding a spouse. She was concerned about helping Ruth find a husband, which she describes as “seek[ing] rest for you.” Matthew Henry comments, “A married state is, or should be, a state of rest to young people.” There is a rest that comes with a union for life, rest from loneliness, from self-support, from financial struggles, and so on.

Naomi wanted to see the honorable young Ruth find a spouse with whom should could be united. Naomi knew that Boaz was a close relative, a “redeemer,” as she calls it, and because of the kindness shown to Ruth, Naomi encouraged Ruth to seek marriage with Boaz.

Naomi gives Ruth a step-by-step guide on how to signal to Boaz her desire for marriage. Now, in our day and age this would not be a wise decision. In fact, I encourage you not to follow Ruth’s example here, not because it was sinful, but because it was a different culture. We know Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz’s reputations, and there is no need to doubt it at this point. Suffice it to say, however, that Naomi was looking out for Ruth.

The Scriptures consistently teach that, in our relationships, we are to be focusing on others. Paul provides a summary of this teaching in Philippians 2:3-7 [YELLOW TAB] If we are to live righteously in our relationships, we must focus on others, not being self-seeking, but to truly love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:39).

Ruth displayed this character as well. We have already read through chapters 1-2, but notice how Ruth was concerned with Naomi. In Ruth 1:16-17 she took a vow to stay with Naomi. In Ruth 2 Ruth provided sustenance through hard labor for Naomi. Even with her interactions with Boaz, she did not ask for food or anything, she graciously received it with thanksgiving.

Righteous relationships focus on others. How are you interacting with others? Do you make friendships for what you can get out of it? Are you taking advantage of others for selfish purposes? Or, are we building relationships with others on the basis of what we can do for them?

This is the beauty of the church, by the way. God created the Church to build each other up, as Paul writes to the Ephesian church, “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” (Eph. 4:15-16)

II. RIGHTEOUS RELATIONSHIPS CENTER ON GOD- 3:6-13

While righteous relationships focus on others, they center on God. That is, God is at the center of every righteous relationship. We see this in Boaz and Ruth’s life in this odd exchange.

Ruth, following her mother-in-law’s advice, goes into Boaz’s room and lays on the floor after uncovering his feet.

III. RIGHTEOUS RELATIONSHIPS ARE FREE FROM SCANDAL- 3:14-15

IV. RIGHTEOUS RELATIONSHIPS RELY ON THE LORD- 3:16-18

(Responsibilities and God’s working)

THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

Jesus’ relationships focused on others- Phil. 2:3-11

Jesus’ relationship centered on God- LBCF Chapter 8

Jesus’ relationships free from scandal- Heb. 2:10-13; Rom. 3:21-26

Jesus’ relationship relied on the Lord- 1 Pet. 2:23