Part 15: The Bright Future
Notes
Transcript
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Tonight, we are in the closing section of our study concerning the book of Ruth. In this portion of the chapter, we focus on some of the dominating ideas in the book.
First we have a summary showing how God filled Naomi’s emptiness with satisfaction (4:13–17), and then there is a genealogy pointing to God’s ongoing work through this family (4:18–21).
It is tempting to read genealogies quickly without really thinking about their significance, but this
genealogy is vital to understanding what is taking place in Ruth; it shows us the bigger story that’s being told.
This genealogy is later reflected in Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus and after we examine the conclusion of the book of Ruth, we will consider the introduction to Matthew’s Gospel, in order to see the staggering providence of God and the glory of Jesus our Redeemer.
The Bible shows us that God was at work in the lives of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz, accomplishing his far-reaching purposes through them: God provides a son for Boaz and Ruth, a redeemer for Naomi, a king for Israel, and the Messiah for the world.
If not for the book of Ruth we would not be able to link the house of David to the house of Judah.
The book of Ruth links the past to the future, it is very beneficial to the historical revelations of genealogy. In this section we will look deliberately at 3 people, Obed, David, and Jesus.
OBED
OBED
13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son.
14 And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.
15 And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.
16 And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.
17 And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
Saying that Boaz “took Ruth” is to say that “he took her home,” it was an expression for marriage.
Then the narrator says, “and she was his wife.” This seems redundant—it is saying the same thing a second time—but its there to emphasize Ruth’s new status.
It’s encouraging to look back at Ruth’s story and see how far she has come.
She has been repeatedly called “the Moabitess.” She called herself the “stranger” (2:10).
She identified herself as being lower than a servant (2:13).
She then elevated herself to the level of “servant” when proposing to Boaz (3:9).
But here in chapter 4, she is Ruth, the wife of Boaz. She has a brand new status, thanks to the sovereign grace of God.
Each one that is saved tonight ought to be able to shout on the fact that God has given us a new status! He took our sin, He forgave us, He justified us, He took us from being lost and undone, septic, rotting, and wasting away in our sin, and elevated us to sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus!
1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Now, we see in our text that this family was blessed with their first son and his name was Obed.
Knowing the story, knowing where Ruth come from, it would have been a sight to behold watching this family loving this little boy.
Obed Reestablished Naomi
Obed Reestablished Naomi
Obed reestablished Naomi’s name and her heritage.
The moment that Obed was conceived; things changed in the life of Naomi.
The family would reestablish their name among the nation of Israel.
The odds seemed to be against them, but God was on their side.
The name of this boy was Obed, and he would have been the light of this house. This baby would have been the talk of Bethlehem.
Obed Reinvigorated Naomi
Obed Reinvigorated Naomi
The birth of Obed would have reinvigorated his grandmother.
16 And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.
Naomi would have a special place in helping to raise this boy. Naomi offered her services to Ruth and Boaz; she desired to nurture this baby.
DAVID
DAVID
17 And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
22 And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.
The mention of David shows us the fact that Obed was not the end of the story.
The Bible reveals a surprise—there is more!
To Ruth, a childless widow, God had provided a husband and a son.
To Naomi—an older, bitter widow whose family line was close to extinction—God had provided Obed.
Next, to a nation close to extinction, God provided a king.
Boaz begat Obed, Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse Begat David, whom would later on become King of Israel. The great- great grand son of Ruth was to be the future King.
The pronounced blessings upon the seed of Ruth were to shine forth for 1000's of years.
Let’s fast forward for a moment to King David...
Jesse had several sons and David was the least of these sons, meaning he was born last.
When it came time to pick a King that would replace King Saul, the prophet was sent to Bethlehem, to the house of Jesse.
The sons were all placed before the prophet, but none of them seemed to be the right man.
The prophet asked Jesse if there were any other son's in the family, and there was one more, but Jesse assumed he was not the right one.
God spoke to the prophet and told him that he was looking for the wrong qualifications; God was looking upon the heart. David was the least of the son's of Jesse, but not in the eyes of God.
God nudges the prophet and he anoints this red headed shepherd to be the next King of Israel. The boy's great-great-grandmother had been a pagan girl from the distant country of Moab; I’m talking about Ruth.
God works in mysterious ways and normally picks the underdog to perform his noble and majestic work.
The young man David goes from being the least of Jesse's sons to the lifted one.
Ruth went from brokenness and poverty, to being in the line of kings, even the Saviour of the world!
JESUS
JESUS
18 Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron,
19 And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab,
20 And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon,
21 And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,
22 And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.
History is not a series of random events, one thing after another, going nowhere.
The story of Ruth is so important because it reminds us that history is moving to the worship of Jesus Christ, who is the “...root and the offspring of David” (Revelation 22:16).
The book of Ruth concludes with these five verses of genealogy.
David, the offspring of Jesse, was Israel’s most celebrated king. Not only was he a military hero who defeated the Philistines, and not only did he capture Jerusalem, where God’s temple would be built (2 Samuel 5); but the prophets declared him to be the paradigm for the future Messiah (Ezekiel 37:24–25; Matthew 22:42).
God promised that one of King David’s sons would sit on the throne forever (2 Samuel 7:12b–16; Psalm 132:12).
Every bit of this comes to fulfillment in Jesus. He is the greater David.
The people in Jerusalem declared to Jesus, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” (Matthew 21:9). Paul opens the book of Romans by saying that Jesus “was made of the seed from David according to the flesh” (Romans 1:3).
Look with me in Matthew 1 and we will find the highlights of the genealogy of Jesus...
1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
6 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;
16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
In the coming years Israel would be looking for their coming Messiah. The future King; the one would deliver this nation from bondage and suffering.
One night he was born in the little city of Bethlehem, in a lowly cave.
The boy would grow up to ultimately be run out of the city of Jerusalem, there he would be crucified. The name of this man was Jesus Christ, the Saviour of this world.
I’m so thankful tonight that Jesus chose to love me! He’s my kinsman redeemer who stood up for me and spoke up for me! I owe Him all that I am and all that I will be to Jesus Christ!
The Children of Israel were looking for a general that would come in boldly and deliver them from Roman bondage. Jesus came into this world meekly and without publicity, and he sought to overcome the world with love.
The love of God has graciously been extended towards all of mankind and for this we should be thankful.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
We began this study with people in a famine, with no hope and no help. BUT!
It ends with the excitement and divine revelation that help was on the way!
The grace of God can take you from nowhere as a nobody and it can change your life, redeem you from death and place you in the family of the King!
Are you living your life in the grace of God?
Would you like to know Him?
Do you need to get at His feet tonight?
Whatever your need, it will be met by coming to Him and trusting Him to do the amazing in your life!