Text: Ruth 2:1-23
Title: Preparation for Romance
Date/Place: LSCC, 5/7/06, AM
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Opening illustration: Joshua Harris’ mother used to have a saying, “hustle while you wait.” She meant that while you wait for things, be productive. In his book, I Kissed Dating Goodbye, there is a chapter on “redeeming the time.” It is a preparation guide for marriage and romance. He says while you wait, practice. Practice fostering intimate relationships, practice seeking the Lord and building godly character, practice financial responsibility, practice parenting, practice life skills. The prep for the first marriage—Adam and Eve
B. Background to passage: The story of Ruth and Naomi really begins to look brighter than chapter one let on. What we see is a “chance” encounter by a man and a woman that begins to grow the seeds of romance in their lives. There is no hint of romance in the language of the text, and it is probably far from the minds of the characters, but because we know the rest of the story, I think it is appropriate to discuss it. Romance and love is a need in our lives, but we need to be prepared to handle deep relationships. Singles and marrieds need instruction on preparation for romance. And interestingly enough, these are character traits that whether one is involved romantically, or even desires to be, will positively impact their lives.
C. Main thought: so in our text today, we will see what Boaz and Ruth did to prepare their hearts for it.
II. BODY
A. Boaz (v.)
1. Boaz is called a man of stature, wealth, or standing in the community. One of the things this indicates to us is that he was a man of character. He is of upstanding moral standards in all aspects of his life, and he is rich, and therefore has probably been a good financial steward for most of his life. Boaz also takes the initiative to engage Ruth. He speaks first. He leads the conversation. He pronounces blessing. He invites to lunch. Boaz protects Ruth by establishing the first sexual harassment law. He honors her publicly by the blessing that he bestows on her. He provides for Ruth by instructing the reapers to leave extra grain for her in the best spots. Later he allows her to drink from the water that was drawn for the reapers; this was unheard of! The level of generosity is extravagant. He speaks to her heart. He is not afraid to speak openly, and pray for her. He serves her over dinner. He has no ulterior motivations, no sexually based agendas, just kindness toward others.
2. Pro 22:1, Luke 16:11, Matt 7:12, 1 Pet 3:7,
3. Illustration: Randy Alcorn says “character is what you do in the dark where only God sees.” Ladies, do you have a man who’s dragging his heels about marriage? Does your man want to get married but doesn’t know how to ask? Then it’s time you take matters into your own hands. You missed your opportunity on Leap Day, the official day for women to propose to men. But you’re still in luck. It is Leap Year, after all, so you technically have until Dec. 31 to get down on one knee and pop the question. Our CP professor had a sit down with all of the CPs before we left about the difference in perspectives between the CP and his wife. Describe the situation at Camp Jubilee with godly young men and ladies together for the first time, Larry Jackson at PK speaking about the pastor being the chief servant in the church, and the husband being the chief servant in the home.
4. What about your character? Are you honest when you don’t have to be? Do you stand by your word, and means what you say? Are you willing to be used in the kingdom at His convenience? Do you stand by principle and biblical truth when it is not popular? Are you a good steward of the resources God has provided? Godly women find responsibility attractive. Men, it is still your responsibility to take initiative in your home! Don’t make your spouse nag you about stuff! Single men, chivalry is still in, responsibility for godly leadership rests on you. Husbands, do you protect (emotionally, spiritually, from others), provide for (romantically, physically), and honor (publicly praise, esteem, value) your wife? Are there examples of men in our church who do? Take notice of them. Imitate them. Godly women find godliness and love for the kingdom attractive. Everybody: Are you becoming a servant of others? Are you protecting others? Are you providing for others? The poor, the fatherless, the foreigners of the world need people that will show hesed for them.
B. Ruth (v.)
1. Ruth also did some things that prepared her heart for what God had planned. She was walking a walk of faith by going out to glean. She looked in faith expecting God to provide through His means—gleaning. It was a risky business when you were a woman, not attached to a man, and a foreigner, but she trusted God. When Boaz began to provide for her she responded well. First she responded in humility. Explain the concept of bowing down. Second, she responded with gratitude (v. 13) telling Boaz how much his kindness had encouraged her and uplifted her. Finally she is honest, telling Boaz that he has spoken to her heart.
2. Rom 8:25, Phil 2:3, 1 Pet 5:6
3. Illustration: Wiersbe says “to live by faith means to take God as His word then act upon it.” A 12-year-old boy named David was born without an immune system. He underwent a bone marrow transplant in order to correct the deficiency. Up to that point he had spent his entire life in a plastic bubble in order to prevent exposure to common germs, bacteria, and viruses that could kill him. He lived without ever knowing human contact. When asked what he’d like to do if and when released from his protective bubble, he replied, “I want to walk barefoot on grass, and touch my mother’s hand.” Ted Roberts saying that if you haven’t told your God, your wife, and your children that you love them today, you have wasted a day.
4. Are you walking a walk of faith or doubt? If you want God to supply your deepest needs, you must discipline yourself to walk by faith. When streams of doubt, discouragement, worry, and fear come it, you must quote to yourself scripture, take your thoughts captive, bring them to obedience, and then let your body follow. If Ruth had stayed home with Naomi, no blessings would have come. We must develop humility and gratitude with honesty in our lives. God’s grace is magnified when we get an accurate picture of who He is, and who we are/were. In our relationships we must get past the flattery and insignificant talk to move on to the real “speaking to the heart.” All of our relationships thrive on intimate communication.
C. Common (v.)
1. There are three traits they share in common. First of all they were both hard workers. Ruth gleaned from dawn till dust. Boaz was out with his workers for at least half the day, and these probably were not the only workers they had. The bible is clear that our life should consist of work. It is not an option for the Christian who can work not to. Secondly, they were both looking out for others. Ruth was not only out there for Ruth’s sake, but for Naomi’s. Boaz obviously took good care of his workers. He was praying for them, concerned about them, aware of who they were, and relational with them. Thirdly, they both had a deep reverence for the Lord. Boaz speaks of the Lord several times in this passage. The whole reason that Ruth is in Israel and gleaning in the fields is her commitment to Jehovah.
2. 1 Tim 5:8, Gal 5:13,
3. Illustration: Two examples of selflessness—ill file. This one of those beautiful paradoxes of biblical truth. If you love and want your spouse more than anything, you will end up selfish, fearful, bitter, or disillusioned. If you love Jesus more than anything, you will really love and enjoy your spouse. And you will be someone worth marrying.”
4. There is much value in a hard day’s work. It produces feelings of worth and meaning. Don’t confuse a day’s work with a day’s pay. Many of you ladies work diligently everyday with your children and don’t draw a paycheck per se. We are commanded to be good stewards of what God provides. It is interesting that if we give our lives away for others, God will provide what we need. Do you take interest in others welfare, spiritual well being, emotional needs? To prepare yourself for any task, any change, any trial, cultivate in your life a reverence for God. This means to desire Him, to live for Him, to obey Him, to seek Him, to love Him. Some of you walk the fence for Christ. Some days you’re His servant, some days you’re your servant.
III. CONCLUSION
A. Closing illustration: See below. In his first seasons with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Jackie Robinson, the first black man to play Major League baseball, faced venom nearly everywhere he traveled—fastballs at his head, spikings on the bases, brutal epithets from the opposing dugouts and from the crowds. During one game in Boston, the taunts and racial slurs seemed to reach a peak. In the midst of this, another Dodger, a Southern white named Pee Wee Reese, called timeout. He walked from his position at shortstop toward Robinson at second base, put his arm around Robinson’s shoulder, and stood there with him for what seemed like a long time.
B. Recap
C. Invitation to commitment
Additional Notes
• SO WHAT???
A British publication once offered a prize for the best definition of a friend. Among the thousands of answers received were the following:
“One who multiplies joys, divides grief, and whose honesty is inviolable.”
“One who understands our silence.”
“A volume of sympathy bound in cloth.”
“A watch that beats true for all time and never runs down.”
The winning definition read:
“A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.”
