Today, we are going to study chapter three of the Book of Ruth.
So, far, we have learned that Elimelech and his wife Naomi relocated their family from Judah to Moab.
They had two sons, Mahlon and Kilion who married Moabite women named Orpha and Ruth.
But at the course of time, Elimelech died and followed by the death of Naomi's two sons.
Naomi was so devastated with such unfortunate circumstance.
How can they survive as three poor widows during those desperate times of famine in a foreign land?
But when Naomi heard that there was food in their home land of Judah, she decided to go back.
However, only Ruth accompanied her while Orpha decided to stay behind in Moab.
Upon arriving in Judah, Naomi had difficulty adjusting to the new condition.
She became bitter and resentful in her heart and mind and even blamed God for her loss.
But Ruth had great faith believing that things will get better by resisting any depressive spirit to enter her heart.
In fact, she asked for permission to work in the field even though it means collecting the leftover grains from the workers just to have food to eat.
She showed her humility and her self-sacrifice to serve her mother in law, Naomi.
By God's providence, she came into the field of Boaz, a wealthy relative of Naomi.
Ruth worked there in the heat of the sun from morning to evening with little rest.
Boaz was told about the good work ethics of Ruth and eventually, he was impressed and she was rewarded.
He invited Ruth to join them in a fellowship meal and thereupon received the kindness and the generosity of Boaz.
Ruth went home with a good amount of grains which brought life and hope to Naomi.
Upon realizing that it was Boaz, her close relative who had shown such kindness, Naomi became very happy and filled with hope and joy.
She knew that God has shown favor to them and there is indeed redemption ahead of them.
Here in chapter three, we will find Naomi desiring to find a better home for Ruth where she will be well provided for.
Naomi then explained to Ruth a simple plan on what she needs to do when she goes back in the field of Boaz.
First of all, Ruth had to wash herself, put on perfume and get dressed in her best clothes - that means, she had to make herself attractive to Boaz.
Then, she had to go to the threshing floor unnoticed while Boaz is eating.
When Boaz finished eating and decided to lie down, Ruth had to come closer and uncover his feet.
This is a way to challenge Boaz if he is willing to take the responsibility of being their kinsman redeemer.
Then, she had to wait for whatever Boaz decides to do next.
Ruth did everything that was told to her by Naomi.
And so, it happens that when Boaz had finished eating and was in good spirits, he went over to lie down at the far end of the grain pile.
Ruth then approached him quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down as well.
During the middle of the night, something startled the man and as he turned, he saw a woman lying at his feet.
Boaz asked, "Who are you?"
After Ruth identified herself, she then told Boaz to spread the corner of his garment to her
because he was a guardian redeemer to the family.
Boaz was well pleased to the response of Ruth and pledged his desire to fulfill his part.
Boaz told Ruth that all the people of the town know that he is a woman of noble character.
However, he said that there is another man who is more closely related than him.
He told her that if that man is willing, he will allow him to redeem her, but if not, Boaz was willing himself to do it.
And so, Ruth lay at his feet until morning but got up before anyone could notice.
Boaz then asked Ruth to give him the shawl she was wearing and in return,
Boaz gave Ruth six measures of barley which she brought home to her mother-in-law.
Naomi again was excited after receiving the gifts from Boaz and after hearing all that had happened in the field.
She then said to Ruth, “Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens.
For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today."
Ruth chapter 3 is a wonderful story concerning the theme of the Book which is the kinsman-redeemer.
What is the kinsman redeemer?
The kinsman-redeemer is a male relative who, according to the laws given to God through Moses had the privilege or responsibility to act on behalf of a relative who was in trouble, in danger or in need of assistance.
In Israel, the kinsman redeemer might fulfill one of two roles:
1. First, he might redeem a member of his family who had become a slave.
2. Secondly, he might marry a close relative whose husband had died in order to deliver her from poverty and continuing the name of her dead husband.
The second one is applicable to Ruth.
The Hebrew term is "goel" for kinsman-redeemer that designates one who delivers, the one who rescues or the one who redeems the person from slavery or from poverty.
Here in the Book of Ruth, Boaz became the kinsman redeemer by willingly taking Ruth as his wife who will someday bear a son named Obed who will become the grandfather of David which will be the forefather of Jesus, the Messiah.
Because of Boaz, the kinsman redeemer, the lineage of Elimelech was not cut off from the genealogy in Israel.
Of course, In the Old testament, God or Yahweh is Israel's Redeemer because He had promised to defend and vindicate them from their enemies.
But in the New Testament, Jesus Christ is our Kinsman-redeemer because He redeems us from the life of sin and penalty of death.
He alone can satisfy all our spiritual needs so that we could live a life of holiness and joy.
Christ took away the curse of sin, Christ brought us out of destitution,
Christ made us His own beloved bride and Christ blessed us for all generations to come.
Christ is truly a kinsman redeemer for those who call upon the name of the Lord by faith.
And after we have been redeemed by Christ, we can now be a blessing to our home, our community and our nation.
That is why today, we are going to talk about the ideal Christian home that has been redeemed by Christ.
You see, there is no such thing as a perfect home on earth for in this world, we go through spiritual warfare and the home is being attacked daily by the enemy.
The enemy wants to destroy our family, he wants to destroy our children, he wants to destroy our spiritual lives, he wants to destroy our finances, our relationships, our church and our nation.
The devil wants to steal, to kill and destroy, but Christ as our Redeemer wants to give us abundant life.
The home is a showcase whether it is being destroyed by the devil or already being redeemed by Christ.
The father, with the help of the mother play a big part in the fulfillment of this redemption process.
The truth is, the homes are being bombarded from all around by the spiritual forces of evil.
And Christ is the only one who could redeem us and protect us from such fierce spiritual attacks.
That is why the writer of Proverbs declared that God's protection is like a secure fortress from all the evil attacks.
Proverbs 14:26 (NIV) "26 Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.”
The word "secure" means it is well protected, well defended and heavily shielded by Christ's presence in the home.
We need to remember that every home is in danger, every home is in need and every home is in trouble due to the widespread corruption
of evil and the spiritual darkness all around us.
As a father myself, we play a significant task in making our home a safe place or a secure fortress from all the evil attacks of the enemy.
The horrific Orlando massacre which happened last week here in our home land killing almost fifty people and hurting several more is an example of such attacks of the forces of darkness to our nation.
But if we fear the Lord, if we submit to the Lord's guidance and protection, if we allow Christ to be our kinsman redeemer, then our home and our nation will be like a secure or strong fortress.
Even if the attacks will continue but the home is unharmed because we are united in prayer.
Because Christ is our shield, our home will be impenetrable from all kinds of evil attacks that would seek to destroy the family.
Our children will have a safe place for refuge and our future generation will be blessed indeed.
Christ is our kinsman redeemer because the family is in trouble.
And this is what we are going to learn from the third chapter of the Book of Ruth.
We will first focus at the dream of Naomi now that she had been fully inspired after being besieged by resentment and bitterness.
She dreamed about a home where Ruth will be properly provided for.
Then, we will focus on the obedience and submission of Ruth to have the realization of that dream.
Finally, we will look into the kindness of Boaz in helping to make it a reality.
Indeed, a Christian home would only be a reality if the father and mother are committed to the Lord.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE THIRD CHAPTER OF RUTH.
1. NAOMI’S DREAM.
Ruth 3:1-4 (NIV) 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."
This chapter opens with the dream of Naomi finding a home for Ruth.
Remember that Naomi arrived in Judah full of resentment and very bitter after experiencing the loss of her husband and her sons in a land of famine.
She even blamed God for her difficult situation.
She lost her desire to work and just stayed at home engaging in self-pity.
But Ruth was different.
She worked hard with her hands and showed her love to her mother in-law through her humility and self-sacrifice to work with dignity.
Because of that, Naomi's eyes were opened and her attitude to God and to others changed for the better.
She was able to dream again and not only for herself, but most of all, for her daughter in law.
Her dream is to find a home for Ruth where she will be well provided for.
And that dream materialized when she discovered that Boaz, the owner of the field where Ruth worked was their kinsman redeemer.
She knew that Boaz had the responsibility and the financial capacity to redeem Ruth from their present predicament of poverty and despair.
And so, Naomi instructed Ruth to prepare herself physically and emotionally when she goes back to the field of Boaz the next day.
Ruth followed her every advice and eventually acquired the acceptance of Boaz.
And this is the truth that we need to remember among fellow fathers in this congregation.
Every Christian home starts with a dream and then a plan how to fulfill that dream.
Let me tell you the dream of every woman and every child.
I want you to shout a loud AMEN if you agree to these statements.
People are looking for a home where they will be well provided for physically, emotionally, intellectually, spiritually and financially. Right?
A home where there will be enough food to eat, there is protection from evil, there is peace and rest. Agree?
A place where there is abundant encouragement from the fathers to their children so that they will live godly lives, be able to finish their education and have their successful careers in this land of opportunities. Agree?
A home where there is no place for hatred, no place for sudden outburst of anger or emotional turmoil from their parents.
A home where you could not hear any abusive words spoken, where cursing is not allowed to stay, no place for judgmental spirit to thrive.
A place where there is no need for scorn, no depreciating statements uttered to any member of the family.
A place where there is no pollution of cigarette smoke, no intoxicating drinks allowed and no trace of any illegal drugs.
A place where sexual immorality is strongly condemned, where adultery is utterly destroyed and pornography are not welcome.
We dream of a Christian home where there is full of complimentary words from the parents to their children, where there is extravagant of praise declared and avalanche of uplifting words everyday.
A place where prayers are often heard and Scripture verses abound all over.
Brothers and sisters, I am not talking about a perfect home for there is no such thing in this world.
But I am talking about a home that has been broken by sin in the past but being Redeemed and healed by the grace of God.
I am talking about a home being restored to full health by Christ our kinsman Redeemer.
I am talking about a home that every children in this world deserve to grow and be nurtured.
They don't deserve a home where it is filled with bitterness, hatred, cursing, anger and enmity.
They don't deserve a home where the mother and father always threaten each other to divorce and separate.
They don't deserve a home where parents always fight over finances and over custody issues of their children.
Fathers, our children deserve a home where there is abundance of faith, forgiveness, approval, kindness and love every single day.
And once we have these things in bountiful supply, I assure you that our children will never want to relocate elsewhere.
They will always want to stay with you forever even if they can afford to be on their own because they are feeling the love in your home.
And as fathers, we play a big part in making this dream a reality in our homes.
With the help of our wives as partners, we can make sure that this dream can be a reality indeed one step at a time.
And so, do you have a dream for your home?
This leads us to our first life lesson.
CHRIST SHOULD BE THE HEAD OF THE HOME. Ephesians 5:23 (NIV) 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior."
You see, when Naomi heard that Ruth worked in the field of Boaz, her kinsman redeemer, she was able to dream again.
In the same manner, Boaz is the symbol of Jesus Christ, the one who will Redeem our homes from sin and attacks of the enemy.
When we have Christ as the head of our home, we can dream again.
When we have Christ in our hearts, this dream, can be a reality.
That is why we cannot declare that Jesus is the head of our home if we do not declare that Jesus is the head of our lives.
The Scripture says that Christ is the head of the church which is His body.
And so, is Christ the head of your life?
If He is, then, is Christ the head of your home?
Have you dedicated your home to the Lordship of Christ?
As fathers, we receive forgiveness from God for all our shortcomings.
There is no such thing as a perfect father.
We are all imperfect human beings saved by the grace of God and learning how to live righteous lives each day.
We stumble once in a while but as we stand up and learn to live for Christ, we change the atmosphere of the home bit by bit.
Then, we grow and we learn how to speak blessings of encouragement to our family members and this brings us closer to the reality of the dream.
But that is just the first part.
The second life lesson is that
THE HOME SHOULD BE PROPERLY PROVIDED. 1 Timothy 5:8 (NIV) 8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."
This verse teaches us that anyone who does not provide for their relatives has denied the faith.
In other translation, it says that anyone who does not provide for his own family is worst than an unbeliever.
And so, to be a good Christian, the home should be properly provided for not only with sufficient food to eat but with emotional stability, with spiritual nourishment and with words of wisdom and discernment so that the spiritual attacks of the enemy will be vanquished.
Let me now ask my fellow fathers, "Is your home properly provided with these things?"
Do you abound with encouraging words for your children to hear or do you often cut them off and insist your own authority?
You see, that is the very reason why we are here in church every Sunday.
So that we will know and learn from God's Word how to fulfill our responsibilities as godly fathers by the grace of God.
Because we had to admit that we all lack these knowledge by ourselves.
No one taught us those things before and after we became fathers and we learn by trial and error experimenting with the lives of our precious children.
And frankly speaking, we made mistakes most of the time.
Our children are so precious to become our genuine pigs in this laboratory called life.
There was a true story I read from the internet that happened in 1978, concerning a man by the name of Thomas Hansen of Boulder Colorado.
This man sued his parents for $350,000 on grounds of "malpractice of parenting."
That means his parents did a very bad and unacceptable job in raising him up.
Mom and Dad had botched his upbringing so badly, he charged in his suit, that he would need years of costly psychiatric treatment just to recover.
It is so unfortunate that these things could happen.
And so, the more we study God's Word, the more we grow which will help us improve and become better not bitter fathers each day.
Receive Christ as your Lord and Savior.
Dedicate your home and your children to Christ's Lordship.
Know your responsibilities as Christian fathers.
Come to church faithfully, diligently and regularly.
And this dream of a better home will soon be a reality.
First, it was Naomi's dream for Ruth to find a home where she will be properly provided for.
2. RUTH’S SUBMISSION
Ruth 3:5-6 (NIV) 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."
Ruth submitted herself to the plan of Naomi, "I will do whatever you say."
Yes, it makes sense.
She now realized that she really needs a place where she will be cared for and protected.
And so, she did everything her mother in law told her.
She knew that it was Boaz who could be her kinsman redeemer.
She agreed to the plan of Naomi.
That is what a Christian family is all about - there is an agreement out of love.
If only that will be a reality to every Christian home - there would be no more problems indeed - no more rebellious hearts and no more conflicts, no presence of any hostility.
But the truth is, it is not happening in every home.
There are always members of the family that go against each other's plans because everyone is different from each other.
No two persons are exactly the same.
Even identical twins are not that identical at all.
God made us that way, every one is unique and different from one other.
We are different in the way we think, in the way we plan and the way we act.
And if we want to live in a home where there is peace and quiet, we need to learn to respect and honor each other's differences.
We need to love each other even if we think and act differently.
And so, after Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he decided to lie down at the far end of the grain pile to rest.
Then, Ruth came and quietly uncovered his feet and lay down herself at his feet.
She was not to lie down by his side for that would be immodest, but at his feet in the posture of a humble supplicant.
Then, in the middle of the night, something startled Boaz and as he turned, lo and behold, there was a woman lying at his feet.
When he inquired who this person might be, Ruth identified herself.
This is a picture of Ruth's submissive spirit to Naomi and then to Boaz.
Ruth did not insist on her own plans and programs for herself.
She knew that this was the custom of the Israelites and she was willing to adopt it herself.
And so, she waited until the situation is ripe to remind Boaz that he is their kinsman redeemer.
This attitude of submissive spirit as a token of our repentance from our sins is important if we want to see the family redeemed for Christ.
We are sinners who need Christ's mercy which should be found at the feet of the Lord.
We need to forgive each other and submit to each other in meekness and in humility so that we can avoid any hostility in the family.
But before we learn to submit to each other, we need to learn to personally submit to Christ's Lordship.
And so, is Christ the Lord of your life?
Is Christ in control of every aspect of your life? Your physical life, your spiritual life, your emotional life,
your intellectual life, your financial life and your relationships with others?
Have you submitted yourself into Christ's will and purpose for your life?
This brings us to the next life lesson.
THE HOMES SHOULD BE PROTECTED FROM THE HANDS OF THE WICKED. Psalms 82:4 (NIV) 4 Rescue
the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked."
You see, we cannot be able to protect our homes from the constant attack of the enemy by our own strength.
Every time there are conflicts in the family, whether small or big, more spiritual attacks happen.
Conflicts happen in differing ideas, in different plans, in different personalities, in different attitudes and even in different taste for food.
Have you ever experienced a conflict that happens in the family when choosing for a restaurant for instance to eat
because each one has a different taste for food?
One likes Chinese food, the other likes Japanese, the other Thai, while the other likes pizza.
We experienced that often at home with our children.
If we are not careful, small conflicts such as these can grow so big that it can destroy and devastate your peaceful relationships at home.
That is why the text reminds us that we had to rescue the weak, we had to rescue the needy and we had to deliver them such as our family from the hand of the wicked.
When we know that our home is being attacked by the enemy through conflicting ideas, we must not just stand there and watch,
we must come to Christ in prayer.
Only Christ, our Kinsman Redeemer can protect, preserve, defend and shield our homes from the hands of the wicked.
When we submit ourselves to the Lordship of Christ, we learn humility and we learn to respect each other and
honor each other deeply with love.
Learning to submit ourselves to each other means we do not allow our pride and arrogance to dominate our thinking
in spite of the differences that abounds in the home.
We acknowledge differences to happen among us but we continue to build our dream.
This brings us to the next life lesson.
THE HOME SHOULD BE A PEACEFUL DWELLING PLACE. Isaiah 32:18 (NIV) 18 My people will live in peaceful dwelling places,
in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest."
That is right, our homes should be a peaceful dwelling place where our children and all family members are secured,
undisturbed, protected and shielded.
How can Christ give us such peaceful dwelling place?
Through the partnership of both the husband and the wife or the father and the mother in the home.
If the mother and the father are always fighting and hurling abusive words to each other, chances are, the children are in very
unsafe and insecure environment and they will always want out.
If the mother and the father allow their pride and arrogance to dwell in the home, there will always be disharmony and discord.
And so, again, we need Christ to be our Kinsman Redeemer.
Allow Christ to make our home a peaceful and harmonious dwelling place for us to stay.
Story: According to the safehorizon.org website, domestic violence is a pattern of behavior whereby a person (whether a father or a mother) is used to establish power and control over another person through fear and intimidation including the threat or use of violence.
Domestic violence can happen to anyone regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, income or other factors.
According to the U.S. Statistics, 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence during her lifetime.
No victim should be blamed for any occurrence of domestic abuse or violence.
Domestic violence is most likely to take place between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.
More than 60% of domestic violence incidents happen at home.
Domestic violence is the third leading cause of homelessness among families, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Women ages 18-34 are at greatest risk of becoming victims of domestic violence.
More than 4 million women experience physical assault and rape by their partners.
More than 3 million children witness domestic violence in their homes every year.
Children who live in homes where there is domestic violence also suffer abuse or neglect at high rates (30% to 60%).
Children exposed to domestic violence at home are more likely to have health problems,
including becoming sick more often, having frequent headaches or stomachaches, and being more tired and lethargic.
Children are more likely to intervene when they witness severe violence against a parent - which can place a child
at great risk or injury or even death.
Domestic violence victims face high rates of depression, sleep disturbances, anxiety, flashbacks, and other emotional distress.
Domestic violence contributes to poor health for many survivors including chronic conditions
such as heart disease or gastrointestinal disorders.
Most women brought to emergency rooms due to domestic violence were socially isolated and had few social and financial resources.
Without help, girls who witness domestic violence are more vulnerable to abuse as teens and adults.
Without help, boys who witness domestic violence are far more likely to become abusers of their partners
and/or children as adults, thus continuing the cycle of violence in the next generation.
Fellow fathers and all the mothers who are here, let us help change the facts.
Make Christ as the Lord of your lives, your family your home.
Protect your family from the attack of the wicked.
Let us make our homes a safe place for our children to dwell and domestic violence will be defeated.
First, it was Naomi's dream for Ruth to find a home where she will be properly provided for.
Second, it was Ruth's submission to the plan of Naomi that opened the door for the Kinsman redeemer in her life.
3. BOAZ’S KINDNESS
Ruth 3:13 (NIV) 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.”
Boaz had an exceptional godly character worthy of praise.
Even if he had the right of redemption, yet he did not take advantage of the submissive spirit of Ruth.
He even spoke honorably of her, making a promise as soon as the morning arrived.
But this promise was conditional because there was a kinsman redeemer nearer than he to whom the right of redemption belonged.
And so, he said to Ruth, "But if he is not willing, as surely as the Lord lives, I will do it."
He is committing the redemption process in God's hands.
He will not manipulate the situation according to his own desire.
He will allow God's will to be done and be a willing vessel to do what is right, what is moral and appropriate at the moment.
In the same manner, when we sense a problem confronting our family that threatens its safe dwelling place,
we could only cast our cares on God because He has promised to care for us.
Our strength is found in laying ourselves by faith at the feet of Christ just like what Ruth did to Boaz.
Christ is our Kinsman redeemer.
We kneel at His feet as we intercede for our children.
He has the right to redeemer our children as we seek His direction upon us and at the appropriate moment.
This brings us to the next life lesson.
THE HOME CAN ONLY BE BUILT WITH GOD'S HELP. Psalms 127:1-2 (NIV) 1 Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. 2 In vain you rise early and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves."
This is a wonderful verse we need to memorize as fathers in the home.
The home can only be built strong and steady by God's help.
He is the one who builds the house one brick at a time, with the godly character visible to our children
which they will model or imitate themselves.
The text says that it is vain to rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat when the children are not cared for.
It is vain to spend plenty of time and efforts on your work when your children needs your presence at home.
It is vain to spend your energy on too much extra curricular activities when you have no time for your family.
It is vain to earn a lot of money when your children are emotionally deprived and destitute of such needed
appreciation and support from you.
As fathers, we ask God to help us build the home and stand guard as we keep watch on our children.
Then, we could sleep peacefully at night knowing that God is there to watch over us.
And so, let me ask you a question.
Is your home being built with God's help or are you doing it all by yourself?
Those who build the home all by themselves without God's help are only laboring in vain or futile.
Someday, all your labor will be useless because you have not asked for God's help.
This leads us to the last life lesson for today.
THE HOME SHOULD BE PROPERLY MANAGED. 1 Timothy 3:4 (NIV) 4 He must manage his own family well
and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect."
Managing our family well is a very difficult task.
Many of us are expert in managing a business enterprise or a work project with workers under us,
but managing a small family is a great challenge indeed.
How do you manage their emotions, how do you manage the small family budget to fit in to their needs?
That is why fathers and mothers need to be appreciated for their efforts, whether small or alike,
they must be assisted when they come in difficulties and they must be prayed for gain wisdom.
END.
