Redeeming Joy - Ruth 3

Ruth 3

Redeeming Joy - Ruth 3 - Sermon Manuscript

If you’re joining us for the first time, we’ve been going through the book of Ruth for our advent series called, which we’re calling: Redeeming Joy. We’re calling it this because we’re recognizing that life is hard… it’s not easy to adjust when life throws us pandemic curve balls. So, how do we redeem our joy?

Ruth 1

Trust God even when we’re feeling overwhelmed

Remember what Jesus has done for us already

Our Joy comes through the LORD’s strength

Ruth 2

God cares about ordinary people (no one is insignificant)

The LORD provides and cares for us, so we can let our worries go

God gives us His grace even though we didn’t deserve it

Today we’re going to focus on a certain kind of joy - the joy of the LORD. So go ahead and turn with me to Ruth chapter 3. While you get there, let’s recap a little…

The Book of Ruth is a true story about a family that was in desperate need of redemption. In the first chapter we were introduced to the family of Elimelek. They lived during the time of the Judges… it was a time before Israel had kings… and during this time, the Bible says that everyone did what was right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25, ESV).

In other words, they didn’t trust the LORD anymore. So because of this, a famine struck the land. And instead of trusting in the LORD, Elimelek and his wife Naomi decided to leave their country and their God behind. They went to live in the land of Moab. But during their time in Moab, Elimelek and his two sons died, leaving behind Naomi and her two daughter-in-laws.

Not knowing what else to do, Naomi goes back to Israel, and her daughter-in-law Ruth insisted on going with her. Ruth was so dedicated to Naomi that she was willing to leave behind her own country and gods, so that she could take care of Naomi and serve Yahweh God.

So when they arrived back in Bethlehem, chapter 1 verse 22 says that they arrived “as the barley harvest was beginning.” That’s why Joey chose the image behind me for our series logo.

Barley was used for making bread [something that Bethlehem was known for (House of Bread)] and is still used today (Barley is currently the 4th largest grain crop on the planet - Google it!). So it’s important!

And it was just as important in Ruth’s day, if not more so. During the time of Ruth, workers would be out in the fields gathering up all the barley they could. This was known as the barley harvest. The whole process would generally last about 7 weeks... Let’s consider that for a minute…

Naomi and Ruth arrived when the barley harvest began. Not long after, Ruth goes to work harvesting barley in the fields with women who worked for a man named Boaz. [We learned that Boaz was a relative of Naomi’s through marriage… probably Elimelek’s cousin]

Chapter 2 ends with this…

Ruth 2:23 - “So Ruth stayed close to the women of Boaz to glean until the barley and wheat harvests were finished. And she lived with her mother-in-law [Naomi].”

I was thinking about this, and it occurred to me that I often catch myself assuming that events being described in the Bible happened one right after the other. But here we have an example of details in the narrative that we can date.

We know that the barley harvest would have lasted about 7 weeks, and the wheat harvest would always last a little longer; probably another few weeks.

That means that just in this one verse, 7 to 10 weeks of time passed while Ruth was out in the fields working with the other women day in and day out. For weeks, Ruth was getting to know these women, and probably Boaz as well.

And remember, Ruth was from Moab… she was a foreigner living with Naomi. But during the barley harvest, Ruth had plenty of time to get integrated into the Israelite society. She became known as a “woman of noble character” because everyone knew that she left her own country and family so that she could take care of Naomi (Ruth 3:11). She’s actually built up quite the reputation among everyone who knew her.

And because of her loyalty to Naomi, last week we saw that Boaz was impressed with her character. So he decided to provide for Ruth and Naomi during the harvest weeks - He didn’t have to, but that was just the kind of guy Boaz was.

But even though Boaz showed them kindness, notice that God still had not answered Naomi’s prayer from chapter 1.

Look at chapter 1 verse 9… Naomi says to her daughters: “May the LORD grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.”

Months have gone by since Naomi prayed that prayer, and it still hasn’t been answered for Ruth. And for us as the readers, there’s already some application for us:

Answered prayer can take time.

How many times have we prayed and were hoping for an answer by the end of the day? That doesn’t happen often does it? God hears us, but sometimes our timeline doesn’t line up with His.

But I don’t think Naomi was expecting an answer by the end of the day. In fact, I don’t have proof of this… but if I had to guess, I bet that Naomi was praying for Ruth everyday. I don’t think this was just a one time prayer.

Naomi’s relationship with the LORD might not have been perfect, but she clearly loved Ruth and wanted the best for her - so it’s not hard for me to imagine her praying continually for Ruth…

...and as she's praying... the days turned into weeks, the weeks turned into months… and when the barley and wheat harvests were over… her prayers still weren’t answered. For Naomi, it seems like any opportunity for answered prayer is gone because the harvest is over!

No longer would Ruth just happen to run into Boaz in the fields (Ruth 2:3, ESV). No longer would they have the chance to be around each other and get to know each other.

But what’s even more stressful is that Ruth wouldn’t be able to gather food anymore. The reader is left to hope that she was able to gather enough food to last her and Naomi for the winter, but the reality is that they were probably facing some serious trouble!

So, Naomi came up with a plan…

Ruth 3:1-6 - “One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided for. 2 Now Boaz, with whose women you have worked, is a relative of ours. Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. 3 Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes [Hebrew = long overcoat]. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do.” 5 “I will do whatever you say,” Ruth answered. 6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do.”

Notice that Naomi is more concerned about Ruth’s wellbeing than her own. She wants Ruth to find a husband - this goes back to her prayer from Ruth 1:9.

Naomi is concerned for Ruth because, remember, back in those days it was difficult for women to survive on their own. There were laws that God instituted for His people to help take care of the poor and the widowed, but those laws weren’t always followed.

Naomi knew they couldn’t always count on handouts. Ruth needed a husband that would provide and care for her. So Naomi came up with a plan. She knew that Boaz would be outside winnowing barley on the threshing floor in the evening.

This is important… My guess is that most of us have never winnowed barley on a threshing floor.

[Threshing Floor Video - play once or twice for people at home] The threshing floor would have been located just outside of Bethlehem. The floor itself is just what you see here - it’s the ground. So what they would do was they would use a donkey that would pull something heavy behind it that would separate the barley.

Then, you would start the winnowing process... and that’s what you see this guy doing… He’s using his pitchfork to throw the barley up in the wind and all the chaff would blow away. The chaff is the light, useless stuff. You would continue this until you were satisfied that all the chaff was gone (see Luke 3:17).

This is what Boaz was doing, except he was doing it in the evening. Usually you would winnow barley in the afternoon winds. But since the harvest just ended, it’s possible that Boaz was celebrating with others, and then in the evening he went out to finish his work on the threshing floor.

[Blank Slide] Then after he was done, rather than going home, Boaz stayed the night... outside... with his crops. Now why would he do that?

Well, it was normal for the farmer to spend the night with his crops to protect it from thieves, and then the next day they would either sell it or move it to storage.

Imagine this… it’s evening - it’s getting dark and Boaz just finished his work. And somewhere hidden in the distance is Ruth in her long overcoat. She’s quietly keeping watch, just waiting for Boaz to go to sleep.

She had already cleaned herself up from the day’s work. Naomi even had her put on perfume… but not necessarily to attract Boaz. In those days they didn’t have the deodorants like we have, so they would use perfumes to cover their body odor.

So, as Ruth waited, Boaz finally turned in for the night. Let’s see what happened next:

Ruth 3:7 - When Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits [not necessarily drunk; lit. ‘his heart was good’], he went over to lie down at the far end of the grain pile. Ruth approached quietly [lit. ‘she secretly went in’], uncovered his feet and lay down.

Now, as modern day readers, our minds could wander different directions here. But I’ll just say this: This isn’t an “R” rated situation. There’s nothing in the text that would suggest otherwise. So, we can picture Ruth, dressed in her long coat, quietly tip-toeing over to Boaz as he’s sound asleep. She kneels down, uncovers his feet, and then lays down at his feet.

Now, there’s a reason why Ruth uncovered Boaz’s feet, but we’ll get to that. I just want you to notice that there’s no need for us to fill in the gaps with this story… As best as we can tell, Ruth is fully clothed in her long overcoat, and she simply lays at his feet (v.8), and falls asleep.

Ruth 3:8-9 - In the middle of the night something startled the man; he turned—and there was a woman lying at his feet!

9 “Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family.”

Okay, so it’s dark. Boaz is startled… someone is at his feet but he can’t see who it was. So he wakes this person up; Ruth introduces herself, and then asks him to cover her up with the corner of his garment…

Why? Was she cold? What’s going on here?

For Ruth to uncover the feet of Boaz, and then to ask him to “Spread the corner of [his] garment over [her]” … that’s her saying to Boaz: “Will you marry me?”

She is asking Boaz to marry her because he is a guardian-redeemer of her and Naomi’s family! He’s a potential husband for Ruth that could rescue Naomi’s family line!

Well, first of all, this whole situation is HIGHLY unusual! Ruth lives in a patriarchal society. So, women didn’t ask men for their hand in marriage… it just didn’t happen! This was a risky move! Boaz could have easily ruined Ruth’s reputation for acting out of turn. But watch what happens next...

Ruth 3:10 - “The LORD bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor.

What does Boaz mean that Ruth was being kind? Well, the Hebrew word that gets translated as ‘kindness’ here is one that I’ve talked a lot about in previous sermons: “Hesed”. Hesed means “loyal-love”. Boaz is recognizing Ruth’s loyalty and love for Naomi. Ruth is yet again sacrificing her future for Naomi.

Boaz knows this… he knows that she could have run after a younger guy. Again, her loyal-love ends up impressing Boaz… so he says:

Ruth 3:11-13 - And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character. 12 Although it is true that I am a guardian-redeemer of our family, there is another who is more closely related than I. 13 Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to do his duty as your guardian-redeemer, good; let him redeem you. But if he is not willing, as surely as the LORD lives I will do it. Lie here until morning.”

Okay, so as the reader, I have a question…

Did Boaz just say, “there is another”?! Who’s this other guy?!?

We’ve just spent two and a half chapters building up to this moment, and now you’re telling me there’s another guy?! What’s his name? The writer doesn’t tell us!

[Reminds me of my own story with Amanda - the ‘other guy’ - stop where I get her email address]

Back to Ruth… In all seriousness, she was just given hope. Whether Ruth ends up marrying this guy who shall not be named, or Boaz, her family with Naomi would be redeemed!

Let’s see how this scene ends…

Ruth 3:14-18 - 14 So she lay at his feet until morning, but got up before anyone could be recognized; and he said, “No one must know that a woman came to the threshing floor.”

They must have gotten up before the morning sun because Boaz was worried that if people saw Ruth leave the threshing floor, people might get the wrong idea about her. He wanted to protect her reputation. So he said:

15 “Bring me the shawl you are wearing and hold it out.” When she did so, he poured into it six measures of barley and placed the bundle on her. Then he went back to town.

16 When Ruth came to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked, “How did it go, my daughter?” Then she told her everything Boaz had done for her 17 and added, “He gave me these six measures of barley, saying, ‘Don’t go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’”

18 Then Naomi said, “Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today.”

And that’s how chapter 3 ends! We’re left wondering what’s going to happen! Who’s going to marry Ruth… Boaz, or this man who shall not be named?!

I have to say - Isn’t this so much better than a Hallmark Christmas movie?!

We’ll finish Ruth next week, but for now… here’s my takeaway from today’s passage…

Joy from the LORD can take time. We need to trust Him.

Explain my story with Amanda [Continue after I got her email address]

Point: It took almost a full year from the time I met Amanda until we finally started dating.

Joy from the LORD can take time! But while we wait for His joy, we need to trust in Him. We need to trust that Jesus is faithful, and His promises ring true no matter what is going on in our lives.

I’d like to end today with a prayer from King David while he was going through a rough time in his life. I want you to listen for his devotion and dependency upon the LORD:

Psalm 86:

1 Hear me, LORD, and answer me,

for I am poor and needy.

2 Guard my life, for I am faithful to you;

save your servant who trusts in you.

You are my God; 3 have mercy on me, Lord,

for I call to you all day long.

4 Bring joy to your servant, Lord,

for I put my trust in you.

5 You, Lord, are forgiving and good,

abounding in loyal-love [hesed] to all who call to you.

6 Hear my prayer, LORD;

listen to my cry for mercy.

7 When I am in distress, I call to you,

because you answer me.

8 Among the gods there is none like you, Lord;

no deeds can compare with yours.

9 All the nations you have made

will come and worship before you, Lord;

they will bring glory to your name.

10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds;

you alone are God.

11 Teach me your way, LORD,

that I may rely on your faithfulness;

give me an undivided heart,

that I may fear [respect/honor/exalt] your name.

12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;

I will glorify your name forever.

13 For great is your loyal-love [hesed] toward me;

you have delivered me from the depths,

from the realm of the dead.

14 Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God;

ruthless people are trying to kill me—

they have no regard for you.

15 But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,

slow to anger, abounding in loyal-love [hesed!] and faithfulness.

16 Turn to me and have mercy on me;

show your strength in behalf of your servant;

save me, because I serve you

just as my mother did.

17 Give me a sign of your goodness,

that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,

for you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.

David was clearly devoted to Yahweh God. He depended on Yahweh for survival … just like Naomi and Ruth were learning to do. The important thing here to take to heart is that God is faithful! We just need to trust Him.

God may not always give us a billboard sign with lights, telling us exactly what to do. But we can trust that He is with us and that He is working in our lives. His timing may not be ours, but as David says in another Psalm, “weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5b).

My encouragement for you today is that no matter what’s happening in your life right now, trust in Jesus. Joy will come in the morning... maybe not right away, but however long it takes, hold on firmly to your faith and trust in Jesus (Hebrews 4:14).

[Blank Slide] Let’s Pray