Ruth: True Love

Opening:

Story

Occupying himself in his retirement years, he poured a new concrete driveway to his house. Finished, he went in to rest and get a glass of ice tea. Returning later to view his proud achievement, he discovered that the neighborhood kids were putting their footprints all in the wet concrete. The angry professor chased the kids down in a rage and beat the tar out of the ones he could catch.

Hearing the commotion, the professor’s wife rushed into the yard, saw the angry professor thrashing the kids, and began to reprimand him: "What a shame," she said. "For forty years you have taught love, forgiveness and forbearance. Now look at you. You’ve lost your testimony." To which he replied: "That was all in the abstract. This is in the concrete.

Intro

End of The Line

The Return

Found Favor

Unconditional Love

93 Dance Hit- Haddaway - What is Love?

ESV 684 times

Hesed - 284 times OT-? Agape 200+ NT (Most meaning God to his people)

9 Times in OT it refers to human relationship

Lets see what ruth says about love

Ruth shows 3 aspects of love

Sacrificial

Pure

Trustworthy

Love Is Sacrificial

Love looks out for the interest of others 1st

Its self-sacrificing

Philippians 2:4

Young guys and Ladies/ be aware - true love looks for others interests 1st

if a guy or girl is asking you to discard one of God’s commandments

That person isn’t seeking your interest

Its not sacrificing- its lust (Pride)

Back to our text. Naomi is looking out for Ruth’s best, and that means trying to find a suitable husband for her – Boaz.

The Plan - Ruth 3:3-5

Boaz would be working/guarding his grain.

We don’t know why its in the evening, but it is

Ruth is instructed to prepare herself

similar to a bride in Ezekiel 16:9-12

She is to go in secret

to avoid embarrassment if the plan doesn’t work

to avoid misunderstanding and gossip.

“Uncover his feet” has been called a euphemism for physical intimacy

not here

A custom of marriage proposal is in view.

But Ruth’s integrity is never in doubt (Ruth 3:11).

Neither is Boaz’s. Besides,

if they had been intimate, it would have made a levirate marriage unallowable.

Her purpose is marriage(love), not sex (desire)

This is not typical

Think about some of the weird proposals you've heard of

The Proposal - Ruth 3:6-9

Now, this is very unique

she waits for her moment

All people who have proposed know that feeling

Eaten and Drunk

This does not mean drunk as in inebriated

Means he’s had a good meal some good wine and is in a great mood

fully relaxed

so he falls asleep

She uncovered his feet (possibly his waist)

Why is he startled

he’s cold

reaches for a blanket only to find someone in his bed

She proposes

spread your wings (Garment)

Not sexually - protective

she’s calling out His position, but truly his character

The Response Ruth 3:9-11

Basically, he says yes!

May you be blessed by Yahweh

He recognizes her position and that her choice

He will provide protection

Love Is Pure

The Problem Ruth 3:12-15

There’s a problem

There is another

he’s not the closest relative

The Promise

Boaz makes a promise

he will seek at all cost the other man

he will protect her

She stays the night, and leaves first thing in the morning.

This avoids any appearance of impropriety

He is committed to protecting her physically, and to protect her name. Again, love pursues purity.

On her way out, Boaz gives her another gift

60-90 pounds of Grain!

It provides for her physical and monetary needs

Naomi would have recognized this as his promise

He has headed into town early to settle this matter.

The Commitment Ruth 3:16-18

Naomi, knowing Boaz’s character

knows he will not rest until he does what he says

the story opens with rest as a plan

it end with him not resting to attain it

Love Is Entrusting

The Peace

Those who truly love do not hesitate to make, and keep promises. You can count on a person who really loves you to keep his or her commitments – to purity, to honesty, to loyalty. Hold out for someone who demonstrates the ability to make and keep promises.

The Silence

Keep it Quiet.

That’s right, just like Boaz sent Ruth home quietly

don’t blab, just watch the Lord work