Faithfulness Produces Grace – Ruth, Part 3 Series

“Faithfulness produces Grace” – Ruth, Part 3

Ruth Sermon Series, Part 3

Ruth 2:1-17

Introduction

- Last week we set the foundation of Ruth around some very difficult times

-- Famine causes a family to move from God’s land, disobeys God’s commands

- Week 1 exposed a hard lesson – and one that frames this series:

-- FACT: When you choose to rebel against God, bad things can/do happen

-- However, God is still faithful to walk alongside of us and not leave us alone

- There are a few certainties that we must remember:

• She is certain there is a God who is sovereign, good, and Holy

• She is also certain that God is 100% mad & displeased with her

- But remember last week’s challenge:

-- If God is so against Naomi, then why has He brought her home safely?

-- Why would He give her someone to care for her, to walk with her (Ruth)?

-- Why has God provided for her all that she would need? (Food, shelter, etc.)

- Let’s see where this story takes us today to encourage our hearts

- Read Ruth 2:1-17 / Pray

Point 1 – Ruth sets out to survive in Bethlehem

- Enter Boaz into our story, a leader among men and an obvious land owner

-- Boaz: Hebrew: “be”; within or by means of … “azaz’; strength

-- Re: As Ruth and Naomi arrive back home, it is barley harvest time

- The term “a man of standing” probably means that he had great assets

-- Money, possessions, land, etc. – he was someone with great respect

- Also remember from Week 1, this is the time at the end of Judges

-- Great challenges for all living here … so nothing was assumed as “safe”

- Therefore, Ruth’s request (v2) was to be certain there’d be no issues

-- IMP: You didn’t wander into someone’s fields and start taking leftovers

- FACT: Naomi knows that this was a risk for Ruth, but she allows it

-- Ruth’s submission to her is evident, and she shows even her greater respect

- The Bible really doesn’t give us insight as to why Naomi didn’t join her

-- Perhaps she was busy with domestic chores, or perhaps she was too old

-- Maybe she had other chores to do, or perhaps was not interested in this task

- Nevertheless, Ruth sets out to harvest and gather food (take care of her)

-- Lends weight to Ruth’s promise of “wherever you go, I will go” …

- What is interesting, is look how fortunate Ruth got on her first day of work (v3)

-- IMP: This is not just luck that this has happened; Re: God’s provision at work

- Let’s unpack this provision quickly:

-- First, He causes a famine that sends this family elsewhere (enter Ruth)

-- Then, He brings this family back to where a harvest is now plentiful

-- And then, He brings Ruth to find work in a field owned by clan of Elimelek

- Who was Elimelek? Naomi’s husband who died in the land of Moab

-- KEY: Sometimes we need to just look around to see God at work!

- When Boaz arrives, he greets those in the Lord, and they respond in kind (v4)

-- APP: Boaz offers this blessing as a man committed to following the Lord fully

-- Deeper: Their response shows their commitment to work honestly for Boaz

- Then he sees her, doesn’t he? Perhaps this is downplayed a bit here …

-- But … I just have this feeling that his reaction is not as muted as we read

-- “WHOA …. WHO IS THAT???” This is really the question he is asking!

- He realizes two things: First, she is obviously a younger woman (v5)

-- Second, he inquires as to who she belongs (is she currently married)

- His foreman (v6) only knows that she is with Naomi …

-- However, she is a hard worker, has been working all day, and is good at it

-- Matter of fact, she has worked as much as the men, resting only once

- This alone has shown that she is faithful and shouldn’t be shunned

-- It also shows that she is respected by the other workers

-- In essence, she’s given props for work (not a normal interaction for this time)

- Work ethic: Hebrew: “amad”; to take one’s stand; to continue; to persevere

-- She is a diligent worker, faithful to the task set before her

-- But why does her work ethic matter? (Faithful to take care of Naomi)

-- Get this: When you’re hungry and trying to survive … you’d work hard too!

- TR: So, after Ruth has found work to help them survive, she meets Boaz