Wings of Protection
Study in Ruth • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 29:34
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· 86 viewsGod covers over us with his grace. The story of Boaz covering Ruth is an example of that covering.
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Where Is Security
Where Is Security
Often, I find myself thinking of how things are going to be provided for my family. My mind wanders away from the security God offers to us. When I begin to think about providing for myself and others, if my focus is not on God, then anxiety sets in.
If the worries of this world begin to distract me from the knowledge that God cares for me enough to provide me with the things that I need, then I am not placing my faith and trust in God.
However, there is a balance to be maintained between believing that everything is going to just show up for us and working with our gifts and talents to obtain what we need.
We approach God flawed
We approach God flawed
When we first come to an awareness of God many may have attempted to do so believing they must first make themselves pure before approaching God. If we allow ourselves to think there is a method for purifying ourselves before approaching God then we are mistaken.
We allow ourselves to believe that salvation is something we can earn instead of a gift given by God.
In times of trouble, we are often reminded of the protective covering God places over our lives. It is well known that after 9/11 the resurgence of people seeking help within the church was one of the greatest revivals our country has witnessed.
In our own lives, when we are stressed, troubled and looking for help, we are reminded to seek that help from others. We are also to recognize that only God can provide the eternal security and protection we need.
God Covers us
God Covers us
Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you?
“Now is not Boaz our kinsman, with whose maids you were? Behold, he winnows barley at the threshing floor tonight.
“Wash yourself therefore, and anoint yourself and put on your best clothes, and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.
“It shall be when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies, and you shall go and uncover his feet and lie down; then he will tell you what you shall do.”
She said to her, “All that you say I will do.”
So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law had commanded her.
When Boaz had eaten and drunk and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came secretly, and uncovered his feet and lay down.
It happened in the middle of the night that the man was startled and bent forward; and behold, a woman was lying at his feet.
He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth your maid. So spread your covering over your maid, for you are a close relative.”
Then he said, “May you be blessed of the Lord, my daughter. You have shown your last kindness to be better than the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich.
“Now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence.
“Now it is true I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I.
“Remain this night, and when morning comes, if he will redeem you, good; let him redeem you. But if he does not wish to redeem you, then I will redeem you, as the Lord lives. Lie down until morning.”
So she lay at his feet until morning and rose before one could recognize another; and he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.”
Again he said, “Give me the cloak that is on you and hold it.” So she held it, and he measured six measures of barley and laid it on her. Then she went into the city.
When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “How did it go, my daughter?” And she told her all that the man had done for her.
She said, “These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said, ‘Do not go to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’ ”
Then she said, “Wait, my daughter, until you know how the matter turns out; for the man will not rest until he has settled it today.”
Seeking Eternal Security
Seeking Eternal Security
Naomi begins chapter 3 with a desire to establish a more permanent relationship which will yield a lifelong supply of harvest. If she is able to convince Ruth to go through with her plan to wed Boaz, then their troubles will be behind them.
As we noticed in chapter 2, Naomi is now hopeful that the blessings of Ruth have been extended to her. She also knows that since Boaz is a close kinsman, they may be able to be redeemed.
Naomi is looking for the lifelong protection for her and Ruth.
Finding Refuge in God
Finding Refuge in God
If you have been through life seeking eternal security, finding refuge under the wings of God is where the eternal resting place is for each one of us. There may be temporary protections we find within our jobs, families, and homes but there is an eternal security we need.
Naomi and Ruth’s depiction of finding a longer lasting security should remind you that we too should be looking for the long term relationship which yields eternal protection.
Within the church, we should be building the bond that is established as people seek God’s protection.
Broken, Hurt, and Needing
Broken, Hurt, and Needing
As Ruth follows Naomi’s plan, she cleans herself up and makes herself presentable.
We should be reminded here that Ruth did not approach Boaz in the most desirable method. She had been hurt earlier by the loss of her husband and his family. Her commitment to Naomi here is to find provision through Naomi’s plan.
Commentators mention that the plan Ruth carried out is unusually resembling that of a prostitute during the times of the harvest period.
Naomi knew that Boaz would be protecting the grain he had gathered. As mentioned before, the raiders from outlying nations would invade and steal what was grown.
It was known that during the harvest season, there would be feasting, celebration, and happiness that there would be plenty of security for the season.
The Protector Knows the Heart
The Protector Knows the Heart
When Naomi’s plan is realized when Boaz is startled awake by Ruth’s presence, the true intentions of Ruth are spoken. Boaz speaks about her kindness towards Naomi and suggests that although he is willing to carry out the role of kinsman redeemer there is another who holds claim.
Boaz claims that he will indeed spread his cloak over Ruth and claim her as his bride.
The Groom and His Bride
The Groom and His Bride
Throughout scripture, the imagery of God and His bride is evident.
“Then I passed by you and saw you, and behold, you were at the time for love; so I spread My skirt over you and covered your nakedness. I also swore to you and entered into a covenant with you so that you became Mine,” declares the Lord God.
Here too, with Boaz being the kinsman redeemer, there is more to it than the redemption of the one who is approaching. It is the beginning of a lifelong relationship. The role of Ruth is that of any who approaches God needing redeemed.
The covering of the skirt over the person is the offering of protection. Many times throughout scripture, only the hem of the robe is necessary in providing the healing protection necessary for our security.
When the woman needed healed from a lifelong of bleeding, just touching the hem of Jesus’ robe was enough to heal her (Luke 8:40-48).
While the Groom is Away
While the Groom is Away
The bride of the Christ, the church, should work to be a place of refuge for those who are broken, needing, and weary. As they search for a place to be closer to God, we are to cover them with the protecting grace God has covered us with.
God does not leave us where He found us. No, he covers us with His protection. We abide in His shadow so that others see Him protecting us.
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
He will cover you with His pinions, And under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.
If you are seeking refuge in your storm, know that God is the redeeming kind. He allows each one of us to approach Him just as we are. His grace covers those of us to remind the world that we abide in Him.
We are only capable of being a place of refuge if we are pointing to the one who is doing the covering. His holiness and continual faithfulness supplies us with the eternal security we need. While the church can work to share the blessings of the temporary needs of the people, only God Himself supplies the eternal security we all need.