“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
-- But, more than a “fairytale meeting”, I’d like us to see the discipleship challenge
-- Truly, it is what sets this story apart from many others …
Point 2 – Godly grace only comes from a faithful servant
- Something very interesting happens in our story (v8)
-- Ruth is not only welcomed; she is given a blessing by Boaz to continue
- When he refers to her as “my daughter”, it’s a term of affection for her age
-- Then, he requests that she stay there and not depart from his field
- Boaz instantly becomes her protector and her provider
-- APP: This lends back to his name, which reflects his nature, doesn’t it?
-- Re: His name implies meaning to the phrase: “within (him) is strength”
- Ruth’s response to this is beyond that of a general “thank you” (v10)
-- She falls at his feet, demonstrating respect and gratefulness
-- But more than that, her gratitude compels her to worship – to honor him
- Yet, she is still confused as to why Boaz would treat her well
-- She is, after all, a foreigner … and that is definitely a strike against her
-- She asks him about it, using in Hebrew: “chen”; favor or grace
-- Hebrew: “ayin”; an eye, or in your eyes … “Why have I received grace?”
-- RE: Ruth has seen how Naomi got “welcomed”, and she is from here!
- But please don’t miss this … it sets up the rest of the story
-- Boaz’s response, in simplest terms, is one of great grace and mercy (v11)
-- And now, here you are working to provide for Naomi among strangers
- Further, he pronounces a blessing on her that is one we could all use/give:
-- v12: “May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.”
- Boaz’s request is that may she be greatly protected by God forever for her efforts
-- Hebrew: “kanaph”; feminine for extremity (implies protection under a woman)
-- Boaz prays that God will reward Ruth’s faithfulness to her mother-in-law
- Now consider, how did he know about this? RE: The town was talking
-- However, rather than adding to it, he asks for God’s blessings to reward her
- Ruth’s response is one of complete awe for Boaz’s grace Re-read v13
-- Break down: “I (Ruth) have nothing to offer, I am not even worthy to be a servant girl, and still you (Boaz) bless me and allow me to be protected by you.”
- Take a moment here …
-- Could this be one of the greatest examples of show grace to a stranger?
-- Re opener: Hebrew: “chesed”; which means God’s kindness or love
-- Instead of piling on, Boaz becomes a comforter, a mercy giver
- Could those we encounter not need this same treatment?
-- Could we not be ones who show grace/comfort to a hurting people?
-- Love to study this … but would love to see this practice in our world today!
- TR: Boaz’s faithfulness to serve God can give us all hope …
Point 3 – God’s provision produces opportunities for growth
- Boaz invites her to come and eat, to rest, and to be a part of their group
-- There is no way to know this, but one can discern that Ruth didn’t pack lunch
-- Boaz sees this, and offers her a place at the table (v14); GET: as an equal
- But more than that, Boaz makes sure that she stands out among them all
-- NOTE: She is a foreigner, an outcast, physically not welcomed locally
-- And on top of that, she’s a woman … not welcomed in to sit with the men!
- See this: Not only is she invited in – but he gives her some of the roasted grain
-- This is the choicest stuff; cooked and prepared for the master of the field
-- APP: Ruth is truly in the inner circle now and she is to be welcomed as equal
- But then, something even more interesting happens! Read v15-16
-- Did you see what Boaz did? Not only can she glean, but fellas: “Help her!”
-- Do not ridicule her either (re: don’t poke fun that she needs assistance)
-- Hebrew: “gaar”; rebuke (Boaz tells them not to rebuke her)
-- APP: In a word: help her because she is in need of grace OR favor
- Ruth’s work produced an ephah (v17), or about 6 US gallons worth
-- APP: Certainly, this would be enough for her and Naomi for several weeks!
- TRANS: So, Boaz has allowed Ruth to work and is providing for her safety
-- Why is this important to us in 2022? What are we to see from this?
Big Idea
- From last two weeks: “Sometimes when you abandon God, your life has disastrous consequences; but God is still faithful even when we aren’t!”
- Why? Because God still provides, even when we think there is no hope
-- But - don’t miss this - WE have to make an effort as well! Ruth went to work!
-- She did not just wait for God’s blessing – she set out to survive (no pity party)
- Break it down quick: Our world will not change if we don’t get after it!
-- God has provided them food, shelter, a place to return to, and now work & food!
- Even in the leanest and toughest times, we have a call on our life
-- That calling is simple: GO … go & make disciples, go show grace, go & serve
- What is it that you need Him to provide for you and where do you doubt?
-- Ruth is showing us how God provides; why don’t we turn to him for our needs?
- Pray for intentional service, willingness to seek God, obedience to follow through
