Sermon Central
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Renewed Life Of Ruth Series
Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Jul 30, 2023 (message contributor)
Summary: Ruth lost her life at her very young age. But God granted her a new life. Life with joy, happiness and grace. She became important person in the history of Jesus. All because she was obedient and loyal to her mother-in-law and the God of her mother-in-law.
Ruth 4:13-17, Renewed Life
“The Lord is good and his love endures forever”
Illustration:
“An elderly lady entered into a catholic shrine and touched all statutes of saints and kissed. Finally she touched Satan under the feet of Jesus and kissed him. The Father asked, why my dear daughter you worshipped all including Satan. She replied who knows if I am not granted heaven, I have to spend my eternity with this fellow.”
Book of Ruth:
It is an Old Testament book belonging to the third section of the biblical canon, known as the Ketuvim, or Writings. According to the Talmud (Jewish tradition), the prophet Samuel wrote the book of Ruth.
The book of Ruth stands with the Song of Solomon, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther are five scrolls (Megillot), read at prescribed times on Jewish religious festivals.
Ruth is the festal scroll for Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks, 50 days after Passover. It was originally an agricultural festival, marking the beginning of the wheat harvest. (Encyclopaedia of Britannica).
Ruth is known as "It is a tale of charm and delight.", "The loveliest complete work on a small scale handed down to us as an ethical treatise and idyll." and "no poet in the world has written a more beautiful short story," like the book of Ruth.
Observe the Text: Ruth lost her life; she moves without her husband but trusted her mother-in-law and in the Lord of her mother-in-law. Boaz, a devoted god-fearing Jew had compassion on her. The Lord blessed the family union of Ruth and Boaz. God approved the deeds of Naomi and Ruth. The neighbors, relatives, and friends appreciated this blessed couple. Obed became the restorer of life. Naomi nursed Obed. He became the father of Jesse, the father of David.
Today, let me share with you from this passage Ruth 4:13-17, three lessons: Ruth lost her life; Ruth received her new life; Ruth enjoyed the goodwill of her neighbours.
1. RUTH LOST HER LIFE:
Ruth means "companion" or "friend." Ruth was a Moabite immigrant to Judea. Ruth was related to Israel through Lot, the nephew of Abraham (Ruth 1:4; Genesis 11:31). Her struggles of her first and second marriages are recorded in this book. Ruth married a Judean immigrant named Mahlon (Ruth 1:1–4; 4:10).
Ruth, a Moabite Girl lost her life at a very young age. She was serving the Moabite goddess but found the God of the Jews as a her true God. However, she was suspected, suppressed, and rejected by the worshiper of Yahweh, relatives of Naomi.
Ruth was known for her LOYALTY from day one, loyalty to follow Yahweh. She told her mother in law, “Whither thou goest, I will go, your God is my God." (Ruth 1:16-17). Boaz appreciated her faith in Yahweh. He praised God saying, “The LORD repay you for what you have done, and a full reward is given you by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!"(Ruth 2:12).
Boaz further vouched the loyalty of Ruth, saying, “for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence.” (Ruth 3:11). (Free Bible Study Lessons).
Ruth was known for her OBEDIENCE to Naomi was commendable (Ruth 3:1-5). Ruth followed her mother-in-law’s advice down to the letter. She didn’t trust herself, her own opinion, or her feelings, but followed the older and wiser Naomi.
Some modern Feminist theologians see her in two aspects: one is as being compliant, self-effacing, and a mere pawn of Naom; but at the same, a few women theologians saw Ruth as faithful, made radical moves, and risked dangerous acts. (Jewish Women Archives).
Ruth was running a life of poverty, uncertainty, and hopeless eternity. But God had greater preparation, plan, and purpose for her life.
Yes, as Job said in his life, we say boldly “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” (Job 42:2). God is able to make you whatever and whoever you need to be, become best of yourself.
2. RUTH RECEIVED HER NEW LIFE:
We know, life has this funny way of holding us back with its baggage. We all have our share of experiences, both good and bad, that shape who we are. But sometimes, these stories become heavy anchors that prevent us from sailing towards new horizons. They keep us stuck in a loop, constantly replaying events that no longer serve us.
We carry a resume, a resume of our past potential, the things of good, bad, and ugly turns in our lives. But God would change the resume of the future as the ever best of us. God takes delight in the most unlikely person and does a huge miracle. God would use our talents, and abilities to advance the kingdom of God, as he used the Paul of the Tarsus.
