Seasons Of Life Series

Seasons of Life

(Ruth 4)

Introduction:

When I was much younger, I used to marvel at the change of the seasons. My heart was filled with wonder and excitement as the leaves would change various colors in the fall. Joy would fill my heart at the first flakes of snow that fell in the winter. My heart would soar at the first signs of spring that brought budding new life from the ground; and oh the smells in the air. When summer arrived I couldn’t wait to play outside in my shorts and short-sleeved shirts; leaving my winter coat behind which was packed away until the next season.

But times have changed. As I’ve grown older I view seasons differently. Though I try to enjoy each season as I did when I was a child, my adult mind and attitude tends to take over. I’m realizing that with fall and winter comes the cold. And now that I’m older my body is beginning to creek and moan at the first signs of the frigid season’s change. With spring and summer I know there are thunderstorms and smoldering hot days on the horizon. Rather than seeing the summer sun as welcoming me to come out and play, I see it as a trap for sunburn. And though I need not be overly cautious, I have become more of a prude in my adult years.

Just as my perspective of the seasons has changed, so has my perspective on life (sometimes for the good and sometimes for the bad). I long once again for that childlike faith and wonder at the creation of God; I long to take in every season with a renewed sense of adventure and joy.

It’s when I really stop and take stock of my life that I have come to understand that there are seasons in life. Now I’m not talking about seasons brought on by age and different life stages. I’m talking about seasons of life that are brought about by life circumstances and situations. I’m talking about experiences that either lead us into the summer of contentment or the winter of disappointment. I’m talking about experiences that lead us into either the fall of hard times or the spring of renewal. Whatever the case, there is one thing I’ve come to know full well, and that is: The change of seasons in life always brings new life.

As we conclude the story of Ruth today, we are able to see how she came through each of these seasons, and I want us to take a look at each of these seasons in Ruth’s life.

If you remember last week, Ruth took some major risks in winning over Boaz. She sought him out for the purpose of marriage, and God blessed her as a result. Last week we left Ruth, in what I call, the spring of renewal. As we close out her story today, we find that she is in the summer of contentment.

So, let’s pick up where we left off…

Ruth 4:1-22 (NLT)

So Boaz went to the town gate and took a seat there. When the family redeemer he had mentioned came by, Boaz called out to him, "Come over here, friend. I want to talk to you." So they sat down together. [2] Then Boaz called ten leaders from the town and asked them to sit as witnesses. [3] And Boaz said to the family redeemer, "You know Naomi, who came back from Moab. She is selling the land that belonged to our relative Elimelech. [4] I felt that I should speak to you about it so that you can redeem it if you wish. If you want the land, then buy it here in the presence of these witnesses. But if you don't want it, let me know right away, because I am next in line to redeem it after you."

The man replied, "All right, I'll redeem it."

[5] Then Boaz told him, "Of course, your purchase of the land from Naomi also requires that you marry Ruth, the Moabite widow. That way, she can have children who will carry on her husband's name and keep the land in the family."

[6] "Then I can't redeem it," the family redeemer replied, "because this might endanger my own estate. You redeem the land; I cannot do it."

[7] In those days it was the custom in Israel for anyone transferring a right of purchase to remove his sandal and hand it to the other party. This publicly validated the transaction. [8] So the other family redeemer drew off his sandal as he said to Boaz, "You buy the land."

[9] Then Boaz said to the leaders and to the crowd standing around, "You are witnesses that today I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelech, Kilion, and Mahlon. [10] And with the land I have acquired Ruth, the Moabite widow of Mahlon, to be my wife. This way she can have a son to carry on the family name of her dead husband and to inherit the family property here in his hometown. You are all witnesses today."