As has been mentioned before, the book of Ruth is one of the greatest love stories in all of the Bible. Not just because it tells of the love relationship that developed between Ruth and Boaz; but because it tells us about the love relationship our heavenly Father has with each of His children.
The book of Ruth is a story of how God enabled His children, namely, Naomi and Ruth, to pass from bitterness in life to blessedness. We have looked to each chapter of this book to discover how we might do the same when bitter experiences come our way in life. Let’s review them quickly and make note of how one builds upon the other.
First, from chapter one, we said that if we are going to pass from bitterness to blessedness, we must “Open Our Eyes” to recognize the personal concern of others and the providential care of God. Naomi was blessed to have a friend in Ruth. While she didn’t seem to appreciate Ruth in chapter one, she does by the end of this book, because God brought Ruth into her life to strengthen and bless her. As we looked at chapter one with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight, we also note how God was orchestrating circumstances on Naomi’s behalf as, when they returned to Bethlehem, they did so at the beginning of the barley harvest.
Second, from chapter two, we said that we must “Open Our Mind” to consider what the right thing is to do to better our circumstances or better ourselves in the midst of our circumstances. Ruth did what God revealed to her was right. She considered what was morally right - she needed to provide for her aged mother-in-law; she did what was ethically right - she provided for her aged mother-in-law through a willingness to work; and she did what was biblically right - through exposure to the Word of God, Ruth discovered God’s provision for the orphans, windows, and foreigners in Israel - she gleaned after the harvesters to gather the “leftovers” (Leviticus 19:9-10; 23:22; Deuteronomy 24:19-22). She did what God had revealed was the right thing for her to do in her situation and trusted God with the rest. Consequently, she was at the right place at the right time to be provided with a God orchestrated opportunity.
Third, from chapter three, we said we need to “Open Our Heart” to the possibilities God wants to bring to reality. Naomi recognized such a possibility presented by God the first day Ruth returned from gleaning.
When Ruth told Naomi that she had gleaned in the fields of a man named Boaz, and how kind he had been to her, allowing her to eat at table with him and the harvesters, God put in Naomi’s heart the thought that Boaz was one of her family’s “Kinsman-Redeemers” (Leviticus 25:23-28) - a possibility that she became convinced God wanted to become a reality. So, when the time was right - when the barley and wheat harvests were completed - she sent Ruth with instructions as to how to approach Boaz with this possibility. Naomi resolved by faith to believe God for the possibility He had placed in her heart; she and Ruth responded by faith when the time came to walk through the door of God-given opportunity; and she and Ruth had their faith rewarded when Boaz agreed with Ruth that their spending time together over the weeks and months of the barley and wheat harvests were orchestrated by God. He agreed to act as Kinsman-Redeemer and purchase Naomi’s family’s land back and restore to her.
Each of these builds on the other. If we don’t open our eyes to recognize God’s providential care; we won’t be in a position to open our minds to consider God’s guidance for us; and if we do not have God’s guidance to follow, we won’t be in a position for God to place in our hearts those possibilities that He wants to bring into reality. All of these lessons, when applied in the midst of a bitter circumstance, will keep us from becoming bitter, but will help us to become better, as our circumstances change or we change in the midst of our circumstances. Positive transformation can occur, even through negative circumstances, when we open our eyes, our minds, and our hearts to God, because of the powerful dynamic of His love. Let’s notice what results when we open our lives up to God’s love. The love of God . . .
1. Can make possible what you thought you’d never have - vs. 1-12
Now, in order to understand better what is going on here, let’s consider what the law of Moses provided concerning the perpetuation of a family’s lineage - Deuteronomy 25:5-10. This is known as the Levirate Marriage, which required a man marry the childless widow of his brother to produce a child who will carry the deceased brother’s name. If he refuses to marry the widow, then she must inform the Elders sit that her brother-in-law refuses to marry her. The Elders then call the brother to them, and if he states affirms this to be true, the
ceremony of the Removed Sandal takes place. The widow removes his shoe, spits in his face, and says, “So shall be done to a man who refuses to build up his brother’s house.” After this symbolic act, the widow free to marry who she likes.
Now, we don’t need to feel sorry for a woman forced into marriage with a man who could be a stranger. Because the widow initiated things, not the man. There was, of course, a proper order, with the oldest brother of the deceased first in line. If he refused, the second could accept. Then came the turn of other male relatives. She decided to remarry, but had to accept the first man on the list who said yes.
Now, Ruth went to the Threshing Room where Boaz was sleeping, turned back the blanket at his feet and lay down. When Boaz awoke, she made her request, “Spread your wing of protection over me.” Boaz praised Ruth’s devotion to Naomi and agreed to act on her behalf.
Now, we find Boaz following the traditional procedure. He went to the city gate (where important business was conducted) and called for ten elders of the town to be witnesses. When the man who was the closest kin and first in line passed by, Boaz called him over and asked if he wanted to redeem the property for Naomi. He agreed to do this, but when Boaz also told him of the need to also carry out the Levirate rule, he declined on the grounds that it would cause him trouble at home.
The kinsman handed one of his sandals to Boaz, signifying he was not going to redeem Naomi’s property, since that request also came with a request to marry Ruth. There was no spitting or shaming, because Boaz was ready to do so. So Boaz was now free to marry Ruth
From the biblical record, it would appear that Boaz was a man who had passed through life without marrying. We know he was an older man who apparently had given up on ever having anyone like Ruth (2:10). But because Boaz had opened up his life to God, God was free to lead him to the right woman at the right time.
And if we will open our lives up to Him, by His love, He will act on our behalf in just the right way and at just the right time. He always gives us what we need, when we need it; and when He does, it is often something that we had long given up on.
2. Can restore what you thought you had lost - vs. 9-10; 13-17
At the beginning of this story, Naomi had concluded that all she had was lost forever. But by the powerful dynamic of God’s love at work in her life, she had all of it restored and more!
Often people think that if they open their lives up to God that they will be required to give up too much. To the contrary, when one opens his life up to God, he gains far more than he is ever called upon to give up.
3. Can bring about things you never dreamed - vs. 18-22
Naomi’s grandson, Ruth and Boaz’s son, Obed, was the grand-father of David and the great ancestor of our Lord Jesus Christ. Unknown to Naomi, Ruth, or Boaz, was the fact that when they opened their lives up to God, they would be instrumental in such a great way in God’s plan of redemption. In the same way, there are all kinds of special things waiting to be accomplished by God through you and me if we will open their lives up to Him.
Winnie the Pooh and Piglet were walking along, when Piglet asked, “When you wake up in the morning, Pooh, what’s the first thing you say to yourself?” “What’s for breakfast,” answered Pooh. Then he asked Piglet, “And what sort of thing do you say, Piglet?” Piglet replied, “I wonder what’s going to happen today?”
That’s the sort of attitude that every Child of God can have, regardless of life’s circumstances, if we are willing to open our lives up to God.
Conclusion: The End Of The Road Is But A Bend In The Road
When we feel we have nothing left to give,
And we are sure that the song has ended;
When our day seems over and the shadows fall,
And the darkness of night has descended;
Where do we go to find strength to keep on trying;
Where can we find a hand to dry the tears we’re crying;
There’s but one place to go, and that is to God,
And dropping all pretense and pride,
We can pour out our problems without restraint,
And gain strength with Him at our side;
And together we stand at life’s crossroads,
And view what we think is the end;
But God has a much bigger vision
And he tells us it’s only a bend;
For the road goes on and is smoother,
And the pause in the song is a rest;
And the part that’s unsung and unfinished,
Is the sweetest and richest and best;
So rest and relax and grow stronger,
Let go and let God share your load;
Your work is not finished or ended,
you’ve just come to a “bend in the road.”
