How many of you are familiar with the children’s game, “Red Light, Green Light!”
How many of you played it as a child?
As I was considering our passage for this morning, Ruth 3, for the first time in many years my memory of having played this game as a young child came to mind.
If you’re not familiar with it, it consists of one person, whom we will call “it,” shouting out commands to other children are have all stationed on a common starting line. The person who is “it” will shout out either “Green Light!” or “Red Light!” while facing away from the competitors As “Green Light” is shouted out, everyone runs forward as far as he or she can until “Red Light” is shouted out. As the person shouts out “Red Light” he turns around, and if he catches anyone still moving, that person is required to go back to the starting line. The goal, of course, is to reach a predetermined destination, or to tag the person shouting it, and whoever gets there first, wins.
Of course, the trick is to make as much progress on a green light without violating a red light because of your extreme momentum. My problem was that I would always tend to be too aggressive, so that at a red light, I couldn’t quite stop in time not to be detected. So there was a wisdom in moderation—not going too fast on green lights so you could stop on a dime when a red light was shouted out.
I was reminded of the game because of the red lights and green lights that we encounter in life as we are attempting to discover God’s will. And discovering and doing God’s will, as we are learning from the great story of the Book of Ruth is the key to experiencing God’s blessings. As we have found so far in the Book of Ruth, those who have ignored the red lights associated with discovering God’s will have suffered great tragedy. But those who have had regard for those red lights and have moved only when there’s a green light regarding God’s will, well, it has been a completely different story. They have been blessed.
The message then this morning will be this: Know the red and green lights concerning God’s will to find God’s blessing. Stop at the red lights. Go only on the green lights. And as this has been evident throughout the Book of Ruth, we will see that it is especially so in the Book of Ruth. And we’re going to set forth at least six different factors that ought to be considered as we attempt to find God’s will as we make choices in our lives.
If you’ve been with us, you know that the story began with the poor decisions of Elimelech and his two sons. Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and his two sons Mahlon and Chilion migrate from Israel to Moab in a time of famine. They’ve ignored God’s Word, God’s promises and God’s warnings in doing so, putting their family’s financial welfare way above its spiritual welfare, and tragedy results. Elimelech dies soon after moving to Moab. His two sons follow in his footsteps, marrying Moabite women and then choose to remain in Moab. After about 10 years, both of them also die in the prime of life, and both do so without having borne children. Three destitute widows remain, and two of them choose to return to the Land of Israel and seek the Lord’s blessings there. And as Ruth and Naomi seek God’s blessings God’s way, both begin to immediately experience His blessing. Ruth as she goes out to glean in the fields as the poor of the land do during harvest time, just happens to find herself in the field of godly and kind kinsman redeemer by the name of Boaz who richly supplies her with all the grain she and her mother-in-law, being mindful of Ruth’s faithfulness to her mother-in-law Naomi.
However, as it turns out, this is just the beginning of the blessing that God intends to pour out on these women as they have sought refuge from their tragedies under His wings in Israel. A much bigger blessing, and a much more significant and eternal blessing is intended and will be fulfilled.
I believe this story illustrates six principles about how to discover God’s will, and thus His blessing. Factors to be considered include our commitment to God’s will, providential circumstances, our motives, the Scriptures, the character of the people we are associated with, and finally, the ability to simply put some matters in the hands of the Lord and wait on Him for his answers.
The first issue is our commitment to the Lord and His will. The question to be asked is whether we are committed fully to Him and His will.
Now, for Ruth, all of this has been established before we get to chapter 3. She made an irrevocable commitment to the God of Israel, as well as to her mother-in-law back in chapter 1, verses 16 and 17. As Naomi, her mother-in-law, urged her to return after her sister-in-law Orpah to the land of Moab, and her father and mother’s house, Ruth had taken her stand: she swore before the Lord to remain with Naomi and to make Naomi’s God her God. God would honor that commitment with great blessing. It’s entirely consistent with the way God works. He honors those who commit their way to Him by showing them precisely what that way in life is.
Proverbs 16:2 tells us precisely that: “Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established.” Effectively, if you’ve committed your works to the Lord, then your plans have become His plans, and thus, His plans, now your plans, will be established.
So the first step in finding God’s will is to be committed to God and His will. If you’re not committed to God’s will, to His plan for your life, God is under no more obligation to reveal it to you than you have committed to follow His plan, for obvious reasons. If you’re not committed to following His Plan, why would He bother to share His plan with you? This principle is stated in James 1:5-7: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.” In other words, to discover God’s plan, you must be committed to following it. If you’re double-minded about it, God is under no obligation to reveal it to you, knowing that you apparently have little commitment to following His plan or wisdom.
So we know Ruth had already irrevocably committed herself to God and His plan for her life. So now He reveals it. And He begins to reveal it through Naomi.
The end of chapter two has told us that Ruth has continued gleaning in the fields of Boaz for both the barley and wheat harvest, probably from late March to early July. So now three or four months have passed and Ruth has faithfully gleaned in Boaz’ fields all this time. It is now time for the winnowing of the grain at the conclusion of the harvests. The grain will have been threshed—that is the edible part of the grain will be separated from the chaff, and as the wind blows in the evening, the grain will be thrown up into the air. The chaff will be blown away, but the edible part of the grain will fall to the ground on the various high threshing floors around Israel. And then the landowners, the farmers, will eat and drink in celebratioin of the harvest after the winnowing has been completed, and then they will actually sleep on the threshing floor that night to guard it from the possibility of theft.
And it’s at this point that Naomi turns into matchmaker. And she considers the circumstances—potentially providential circumstances. Circumstances which certainly have been more than accidental. God has now sovereignly blessed both Naomi and Ruth by placing Ruth in Boaz’s field. And Boaz is a potential kinsman redeemer, he is a close relative of Naomi’s now deceased husband. And Naomi puts two and two together. Naomi is a widow; Ruth is a widow, they are poor widows indeed who are in need, plus, Ruth has gleaned in the field of Boaz, a near kinsman-redeemer, Boaz is also single, Ruth has gained Boaz’s favor. And what could this add up to? Could the gracious God who has already blessed Ruth and Naomi’s return through Boaz have something greater, something more permanent in mind. The circumstances certainly seem to be providential. It’s time to test the waters, so to speak, and see whether this is God’s plan, God’s solution to the very difficult circumstances that Ruth and Naomi are still facing—widows without a male provider.
Rather obviously, as we consider any proposed course of action, circumstances come into play. Are the circumstances providential? Does God seem to be pointing in one direction or another through them? Do circumstances give us a red light, or a green light regarding God’s will. The circumstances here involve two people who clearly are both godly and noble in their purposes, and who have each other’s respect, who both appreciate one another and their direction in life. If Ruth had ended up in the field of another, if she had not been respected, if Boaz had not been helpful, or respectful, obviously, any of those factors could have functioned as a red light with regard to Providence. As it was, everything was falling together. All those factors gave a green light to go ahead. And so Naomi boldly proposed a plan to Ruth to discover whether all these green lights would lead to an even greater blessing and a more permanent provision for their joint need.
A third factor here was Naomi’s motive. Of course, we know that Naomi was concerned for her own welfare. But from her language, it appears that Ruth’s welfare was foremost in her mind. Here’s the way she poses her proposal as she speaks to Ruth in verse 1: “My daughter, shall I not seek security for you; that it may be well with you?” Naomi is acutely aware of the sacrifices that Ruth has made on her behalf. She has abandoned her family, her country, her culture, and possibly even the likelihood of remarriage to remain with Naomi. She has put Naomi’s welfare first in her life, even at potential great expense to herself. And so she wants to return the blessing. She wants to seek Ruth’s welfare especially. She wants to reciprocate. And an obvious way to reciprocate has opened up. Boaz just happens to be a very near kinsman, perhaps he would willingly act as a kinsman-redeemer to both Naomi and Ruth. Just maybe he would marry Ruth with the hope of raising up a son who would be called the son of his kinsman Elimelech and perpetuate Elimelech’s land inheritance in the land.
Third principle in determining God’s will. Examine your motives. Are they godly? Are they loving? Are you seeking the welfare of others as well your own? Philippians 2:3-4 says “Do nothing ]from [d]selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” Obviously, Naomi’s motives are pure. She’s looking out for Ruth and her future just as Ruth has been committed to her welfare.
Principle #3 in discerning God’s will. Are your motives pure? Or is it all about you—is it all about your selfishness or your pride. Is selfish ambition, or perhaps even anger and revenge, are they involved? If so, that’s a big red light. But if you’re seeking God’s best for another person, it’s a green light. If it’s right, go ahead.
As Proverbs 16:2 puts it: “All the ways of a man are dclean in his own sight, but the Lord weighs the motives.”
The fourth principle is huge. Consider Scripture. Evaluate your potential decision, your direction, by the clear principles and directives of God’s Word.
In this case the relevant Scripture was Deuteronomy 25:5-10, the law of Levirate marriage. It states: “When brothers live together, and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the deceased shall not be married outside the family to a strange man. Her husband’s brother shall have relations with her and take her to himself as his wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her. 6 It shall then be that the firstborn to whom she gives birth shall [a]assume the name of his father’s deceased brother, so that his name will not be wiped out from Israel. 7 But if the man does not desire to take his brother’s widow, then his brother’s widow shall go up to the gate to the elders, and say, ‘My husband’s brother refuses to establish a name for his brother in Israel; he is not willing to perform the duty of a husband’s brother to me.’ 8 Then the elders of his city shall summon him and speak to him. And if he persists and says, ‘I do not desire to take her,’ 9 then his brother’s widow shall come up to him in the sight of the elders, and pull his sandal off his foot and spit in his face; and she shall [b]declare, ‘This is what is done to the man who does not build up his brother’s house!’ 10 And in Israel [c]his family shall be called by the name, ‘The house of him whose sandal was removed.’”
In other words, if a brother died leaving a widow, his brother was obligated to marry his widow in order to ensure there would be an inheritance for that family—hopefully through a firstborn son who would assume the name of the deceased brother, so that the deceased’s name would not be wiped out in Israel. This was crucial to a functioning economy in Israel, as well as the welfare of the widow and her family. Now the deceased, in this case, was Elimelech. His widow was Naomi. The problem was that Naomi was beyond child-bearing. So she passed the redemption right onto her daughter-in-law, Ruth, who was also a childless widow. Boaz, according to Scripture, God’s Word, as a kinsman redeemer, could buy back, or redeem both his near relatives’ land and raise up a son in Elimelech’s name through his son’s widow, Ruth. Ruth, by virtue of being of child-bearing age, could also fulfill this requirement. It seemed as though it might just be a match made in heaven, quite literally!
So Scripture was consulted, and it certainly lines up with other Providential circumstances. It pointed to Naomi, as well as Ruth, that this could be God’s ordained plan of redeeming and rebuilding lives that had been beset by the tragic choices of the men in their family. Indeed, God is gracious and forgiving, and He runs to bless those who turn to Him as Ruth and Naomi did, even as the Father of the Prodigal Son ran to his repentant son when he saw him from a distance.
Wow, what a wonderful plan! What a wonderful God! How gracious and forgiving! How eager God is to bless if we will only turn to Him and do things His way—when we are willing to consult and then obey God’s Word. When we follow Scripture. Live your lives according to Scripture. If Scripture supports your intended direction, green light. If not, a great big red light!
Thus Proverbs 16:16-17 tells us “How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.”
So Ruth agrees. The plan is implemented. The plan involves Ruth boldly asking Boaz to be her kinsman redeemer. Yes, a proposal of marriage. But a proposal made in a most discreet way, when no one else is around to see it, at an appropriate time, at a time of harvest and blessing. Will Boaz’s great harvest include a godly woman as his wife?
So Ruth uncovers Boaz’s feet and lays down at his feet. Boaz awakens, and wonders who is laying at his feet. Ruth humbly reveals that it is his handmaid, that he is a kinsman -redeemer, and invites him to spread his garment over her as well, a symbolic invitation to support both her and Naomi’s family through exercising the right of redemption that he has a kinsman-redeemer.
Now notice something else here--the proven character of both parties involved. Boaz has proven his character by his gracious acceptance of Ruth, his concern and generosity demonstrated tangibly and repeatedly to both Ruth and Naomi.
And Ruth’s character has repeatedly been demonstrated to Boaz. Ruth has been faithful to her commitment to Naomi, at much expense to herself. And now it is being demonstrated once again in this act—Ruth rather than seeking marriage with a younger man her age, whether rich or poor in the city, has offered herself in marriage to a middle-aged man, apparently, and she has done so not only to provide for herself, but to provide for Naomi. Thus, Ruth is keeping her commitment to care for Naomi by seeking a kinsman redeemer as her mate in accord with Scripture, in accord with Naomi’s need and desire, by requesting marriage of Boaz.
Now, yes, this was very forward, but not by any means unacceptable in the culture of that time. Scripture, the civil law of the land, encouraged it, so it was a settled matter. Ruth had done nothing wrong. She was about to leave the decision in Boaz’s hands. But as Boaz replies, he clearly notes again the noble character of Ruth in having done what she has just done: Verse 10:
“May you be blessed of the Lord, my daughter. You have shown your last kindness to be better than the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich. Now my daughter, do not fear. I will do for your whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence.”
Wow! Character. Consider the character of others involves in all your choices. Especially the matter of binding commitments and partnerships. Consider the character of those in charge of the church you’re considering. Consider the character of people put in authority in your churches. Qualilfications are given in I Timothy 3 and Titus 1 for those who are to be considered. Consider the character of even those you do business with. Character is huge and can make or break the choices you make. Character was clearly in view from both sides here> There was a green light for both Boaz and Ruth.
But there was one more matter, one more possible fly in the ointment. As it turns out there was a nearer kinsman-redeemer, and he must be consulted, by law, before Boaz could appropriate his right to redeem. Boaz mentions this in verses 12-13: “Now it is true I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I. Remain this night, and when morning comes, if he will redeem you, good; let him redeem you. But if he does not wish to redeem you, then I will redeem you, as the Lord lives. Lie down until morning.”
Now this is quite incredible. Boaz is not operating out of the passion of his lusts. He’s not saying “All is fair in love and war. I don’t care what anyone thinks. I’m going to get what I want.” He is simply willing to do what is right, and He wants it to be what is right in the sight of all men, as well as the Law of the Land. And what’s right is to give the nearer-kinsman redeemer the first chance to redeem Ruth.
In other words, he was concerned about what was right in the sight of all men, as well as the Law. He wasn’t about to try to manipulate things to his own advantage. He was certainly willing to do what the Law recommended, and my guess, his great respect for Ruth and her purposes made that easy. On the other hand, he must do what was right in the sight of all men. So he deferred his decision until that issue was resolved.
Another issue, is this: What is right in the sight of all men? Now I know you’ll never be able to please everyone. And there is always someone who has a completely different worldview, or bad motives, who will find something wrong. But this also had Scriptural warrant. And Boaz insisted he investigate this in order to have God’s blessing on the union.
Consider what is right in the sight of all men. Green light. Go. Red light? Stop.
And now it came to the matter of waiting on the Lord, for Ruth. And taking appropriate action on the part of Boaz. And often that’s what it comes down to—the decision is in God’s hands.
I imagine either Ruth or Boaz could have anxiously decided to manipulate the result—perhaps by trying to encourage or discourage the nearer kinsman redeemer. But it was time just simply to put the whole matter in the Lord’s hands, and trust that however it turned it would be God’s will.
As Proverbs 16:1 puts it; “The plans of the heart belong to a person,
But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.”
And so it would be in this case. Still, there is this moment of uncertainly. In the final analysis, someone else has to make a call. But still, the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. So wait on the Lord. Trust Him. If the answer from the tongue is a green light. Go. If it isn’t, don’t.
Red Light, Green Light. God’s will can be discerned when once you have committed your way to the Lord, considering these factors: Providential circumstances, motives, Scripture, the character and spiritual state of those involved. What is right in the sight of all men, and finally, the answer of the tongue. Waiting on God for the final okay.
Let’s pray.
