Please open your Bibles to the Book of Ruth….
We will learn from Chapter 3 and a portion of 4 this morning. But before reading, let us note a few things which will help us understand the situation with Naomi, Ruth and Boaz. Look briefly at Ruth 2:20….
Boaz was one of the “kinsman-redeemers” for Naomi and Ruth! Who were the kinsman-redeemers? Kinsman-redeemer was an Old Hebrew Law. It was the right thing to do during Old Testament time when a relative was in need. There were several scriptures which resulted in this Hebrew Law of kinsman-redeemer. Basically, in case of a death of a husband, a kinsman-redeemer was obligated to marry a widow of a relative to help and to keep the family name.
A kinsman-redeemer was godly responsible for a relative in need, especially those widowed.
We also need to note that it was a religious ritual for an owner of a harvest field to sleep outside on the threshing floor after winnowing the harvest; and it was also typical for a servant to lie down by the master’s feet to seek protection.
Let us together pray our commitment to God’s Word before reading the story…..
Read along with me Ruth 3….
Let us summarize the story. In the beginning of Ruth 3, Naomi realized how Ruth can be provided for in a right godly way because Boaz was bound by Hebrew Law to help. Boaz was one of the kinsman-redeemers for Naomi and Ruth. And so…..
v1-4: Naomi gave godly wisdom to Ruth to get help.
What do we note in v5-9? - Ruth did what Naomi told her to do! Now remember that Ruth was a pagan still learning the ways of God. But remember what Ruth said? – “Your God will be my God!” What a commitment! What faith Ruth had!
Naomi was God’s instrument for Ruth! Ruth likely did not know the significance of what she was doing but totally trusted Naomi, thus trusting God!
In v10-12, we note that Boaz knew exactly what he needed to do; Boaz could have taken advantage of Ruth, but he didn’t! Boaz knew he was being called as a kinsman-redeemer, but what else did Boaz knew??
Boaz knew he did not have the first right to marry the widow Ruth and so he took the steps to find out if he has any right at all!
We note in v13: Boaz told Ruth the right thing must be done and made a promise to do it!
Now look at v14 again………
Now, if I didn’t explain in the beginning what Naomi and Ruth were up to, what would have gone through your mind, like I did the first time I read it? If people saw that Ruth spent the night with Boaz, what would people say about Ruth and Boaz? We read in v11 that Ruth was known already as a noble woman; that nobility would have been marred if people knew she slept beside Boaz for the night; even if they weren’t intimate, people will talk; and people love to accuse godly righteous people!
They certainly kept what happened secret to the public and they could have done whatever they wanted that night; but who was watching??
Let us not forget that God was involved in the lives of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz! From the very beginning of the story in Ruth 2, what could have gone wrong with this story??
If Naomi and Ruth wanted to plot a marriage, shouldn’t Ruth have gone to the man who had first right as kinsman-redeemer? As we noted last week, God led Ruth to Boaz’ field! God was watching and leading Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz! God knew exactly what was going on, even in the middle of a dark night!
Now, what godly thing happened? Read along with me Ruth 4:1-12…..
And so, what did Boaz do?
Boaz found the man who had the first right to Naomi’s land and to Naomi’s daughter-in-law.
Boaz shared and offered the right to the man in front of 10 witnesses.
In v4, why did the man say right away “I will redeem it!”??
The first kinsman-redeemer was willing to just get a good deal of property!
In v5-6, why did the first kinsman-redeemer turned down his right??
Yes, the first kinsman-redeemer knew that Boaz or someone else can claim Naomi and Ruth but the main reason for rejecting is stated in Scriptures. The first kinsman-redeemer rejected his right because he was afraid of what others would say! I wonder if this guy was still alive when David became King of Israel, who could have been his great-grandson?
Now, why do you think God placed v7 in the story??
God made a point to tell us exactly what the right thing to do was at that time!
Boaz made sure everything was done the right way!
And look again at the result of doing everything the right way, v11…..
Blessings were given to Boaz and pagan Ruth, all the blessings God gave godly people in the past!
What is the biblical principle for us to apply for our lives? Let’s note this first of all: Before Naomi, ruth, or Boaz made a decision, do we note them praying? God does not note for us that Naomi, Ruth or Boaz prayed about the actions they took. But just because we do not read them praying, it does not mean they were not godly. We have noted in a previous message that Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz were godly people! Although he did not pray directly, we can note in Ruth 3:10-13, Boaz had God in mind.
You see, even though we don’t read or hear a prayer, it does not mean they we’re not praying; keeping God in mind is prayer; actually, this is the only way to pray without ceasing! Always keep God in mind and you will be praying!
As we noted last week, God leads godly people. Therefore again first and foremost in our lives, Always pursue godliness! Keep God in mind then pursue what God wants you to do!
And what else did Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz do right? Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz did the things the right way they knew! And so, what about us? Are we doing things the right way as we know we should?
And how do we know what the right thing to do is? I have shared this before as we seek the will of God for our lives:
How do we know what to do??
a. What does the Bible say?
b. If it’s not in the Bible, seek counsel from godly people!
c. Will you have peace about your decision?
d. Go through the 7 P’s of decision making!
So, with God’s help and leading, let us examine ourselves on a daily basis. Is what I’m doing today the right thing?
