You Can Count on God's Goodness

Introduction: Have you ever heard that expression, “Man plans and god laughs?” How about some familiar proverbs from the Bible? Proverbs 15:22 - “Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed.” Proverbs 16:1 - “The plans of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.” Proverbs 16:3 - “Commit your works to the Lord And your plans will be established.” Proverbs 16:9 - “The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.” Proverbs 19:21 - “Many plans are in a man’s heart, But the counsel of the Lord will stand.” The common theme in all these Scriptures reflects man’s arrogance and God’s sovereignty. Now I realize using the word “arrogance” may be a bit harsh. Perhaps I could substitute the word “impatience” or “confidence” instead. Nevertheless, man’s desire to be in control is often his undoing. The good news is this: God is good and He can be trusted.

Pray before you plan (1-5)

Naomi hatched a plan for Ruth to attempt to garner Boaz’ attention

She knew Boaz was their close relative

She knew Ruth had worked in his field with his maids

She knew Boaz would be working at the threshing floor that night

Naomi told Ruth to prepare herself as if she were preparing for a very special occasion

She told Ruth to wait until Boaz had finished eating and drinking; AFTER WORK

She told Ruth to take note of where Boaz would lie down for the night

She told Ruth to uncover his feet and lie down, then wait for further instructions

Leon Morris: “The word is more commonly used for ‘wings’ than for ‘skirt’, and it is used with this meaning, for example, when Boaz speaks of the religious aspect of Ruth’s change of country, ‘a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust’ (2:12, AV). Ruth had put herself under Yahweh’s ‘wing’ when she came to Judah. Now she seeks also to put herself under that of Boaz.”

Ruth agreed to the plan

It would seem that Naomi was being impatient after being filled by the provision of Boaz

Naomi’s plan was somewhat devious

Wait until Boaz has finished all his work; WORE OUT

Wait until Boaz has finished his food and drink; FULL UP

Wait until Boaz has lain down for the night; SLEEPY

In other words, wait until all of Boaz’ defenses are down before you surprise him

A.W. Tozer: “If God were to take the Holy Spirit out of this world, much of what the church is doing would go right on; and nobody would know the difference.”

Trust God in your circumstances (6-13)

In the words of Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, “Strange things are afoot at the Circle K.”

The plan is underway; Ruth is doing exactly what her mother-in-law told her to do

Imagine, if you will, going to sleep after a hard day’s work and waking up in the middle of the night with a woman lying down by your feet

Boaz is startled; he twisted himself / bent forward and sees a woman lying there

Boaz asks the question any reasonable person would ask: “Who are you????”

It is interesting to note here that the text tells us in verse 7 that Boaz’ “heart was merry”; it is possible that his senses were dulled just a bit from being satisfied with his food and drink

Ruth answers Boaz, tells him it is her, then basically asks him to marry her

Warren Wiersbe: “We may ask, “Why didn’t Ruth wait for Boaz to propose to her?” His statement in 3:10 suggests the first reason: He fully expected that she would marry one of the younger bachelors in Bethlehem. Boaz was an older man, and Ruth was a young woman (4:12). Evidently he concluded that he was out of the running. But the most important reason is given in verse 12: There was a nearer kinsman in town who had first option on Ruth and the property, and Boaz was waiting for him to act. Ruth had forced the issue, and now Boaz could approach this kinsman and get him to decide.”

Boaz responds to Ruth with grace and kindness

He pronounces a blessing from the Lord upon her

He commends her for her kindness in seeking a more mature man instead of someone younger

He tells Ruth not to be afraid; he will do for her whatever she says

He notes that her reputation among all his people is one of excellence

Boaz throws a potential wrench in the whole program, reminding Ruth there is another “go-el”

He asks her to stay; he will sort it all out tomorrow; one way or the other, she will be redeemed

Boaz presents a new plan for Ruth’s redemption; it is a bit more complex

Warren Wiersbe: “What seemed to Naomi to be a simple procedure has now turned out to be a bit more complicated, because there was a man in Bethlehem who was a nearer kinsman. Boaz didn’t withhold this problem from Ruth, for he didn’t want her to return home with false hopes in her heart. Joy and peace that are based on ignorance of the true facts are but delusions that lead to disappointments. The great concern of Boaz was the redemption of Ruth, even if another kinsman redeemer had to do it.”

Leonard Snart (from the Flash): “There are only four rules you need to remember: Make the plan, execute the plan, expect the plan to go off the rails, throw away the plan. Follow my lead and you’ll be fine.”

IMPORTANT: Explain in more detail how Boaz is a type of Christ, the Redeemer, and Ruth is a type of the church in her relationship to Christ; mention Ephesians 5:22-27

Be Patient as God Works (14-18)

Ruth got up before the sun came up to maintain their honorable reputations

Boaz agreed that it would not be mentioned how she came to the threshing floor

Boaz gave Ruth provisions to take home to Naomi; six measures of barley = 2 ephahs = about 88 lbs.

Ruth arrived at Naomi’s house bearing gifts and a story to tell

Warren Wiersbe: “Naomi’s question in 3:16 has puzzled translators and interpreters. Why would her own mother-in-law ask her who she was? The Living Bible paraphrases the question, “Well, what happened, dear?” and both the NIV and the NASB read, “How did it go, my daughter?” But the Authorized Version translates the Hebrew text as it stands: “Who are you, my daughter?” In other words, “Are you still Ruth the Moabitess, or are you the prospective Mrs. Boaz?”

Boaz did not want Ruth to show up back home empty-handed; he is a good man!

Leon Morris: “Ruth’s answer is not reported in detail, but special mention is made of the six measures of barley. These six are pointed out with Boaz’ injunction, mentioned here but not in verse 15, Go not empty unto thy mother in law (AV, RV). It may be no coincidence that the same word empty is used here as in 1:21 when Naomi spoke of being brought home ‘empty’. Her ‘empty’ days are over.

Naomi told Ruth to wait and see what happens; Boaz will handle his business today

Warren Wiersbe: ““Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10, KJV) is a wonderful antidote for a restless spirit. The Hebrew word translated “be still” means “take your hands off, relax.” It’s so easy for us to get impatient with the Lord and start meddling in matters that we ought to leave alone. He is God, and His hands can accomplish the impossible. Our hands may get in the way and make matters worse.”

Conclusion: Patience. Stillness. Trust. Dependence. These are all difficult virtues. Yet they are totally appropriate when dealing with an Almighty and loving Redeemer. Naomi and Ruth needed to learn the lesson of trust and patience. It seems they were learning these lessons together through the events unfolding in their lives. God has a funny way of teaching us the things He needs us to learn. I often find myself shaking my head and saying things like, “If I had just listened to what God was telling me...” or “If I had just waited on the Lord instead of trying to work it out my own way...”

Warren Wiersbe offers this final encouragement: “Have you put yourself at the feet of the Lord of the Harvest? Are you trusting Him to work? One evidence of your trust will be your willingness to sit still and let Him have His way.”

As in the refrain of the old hymn, “Only trust him...He will save you.”