“God is still at work!” – Ruth, Part 7
Ruth Sermon Series, Part 7
Ruth 4:1-22
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Introduction
- How have we gotten to this point?
- “Sometimes when you abandon God, your life has disastrous consequences; but God is STILL faithful … even when we aren’t!”
- Key item to remember: Discipleship is a life-long journey
-- One of the opportunities we have (to grow) is the ability to show grace to others
-- This book is one example of what grace can do for a life that is uncertain
- ASK: When you are given direction to move and follow God, are you willing to step out and trust even though you have NO IDEA where the future will lead?
-- Challenge: Are we willing to give up our preferences and follow Jesus?
- Profound realization for us all (last week):
-- Do you give OF yourself to Christ, or do you give YOURSELF to Christ?
-- Our faith involves risk … it always has ... and we have to be willing to follow
-- EX: Ruth had no idea where this would go … but still she went
- If God would desire to remove our obstacle of sin through the death of Jesus …
-- Truly, what more are you waiting for Him to do for you to respond?
-- How much more like Ruth, responding to the unknown, can you be?
- This sets us up for today where we’ll conclude this series (see parallels … )
- Read Ruth 4:1-22 / Pray
Point 1 – Boaz strikes a deal to redeem Ruth (and Naomi)
- What we know from last week is Ruth is made two promises
• Be patient and you will be redeemed (Hebrew: gaal)
• Boaz would not rest until this matter was settled (Hebrew: lo shaqat)
- So, we see that (what would be first light) Boaz has arrived at the town gate
-- Hebrew: shaar; a gate – a main artery in and out of the “business district”
-- Boaz arrives and calls the other kinsman to sit down with him
- He also asks 10 elders (Hebrew: zaqen, old) to sit and hear this also … why?
-- RE: Deuteronomy 25:7, “But if the man refuses to marry his brother’s widow, she must go to the town gate and say to the elders assembled there, ‘My husband’s brother refuses to preserve his brother’s name in Israel—he refuses to fulfill the duties of a brother-in-law by marrying me.”
- It is important to remember what was previously on Boaz’s schedule
-- After threshing / sleeping, he was set to get his grain transported in the morning
-- Certainly, he could have gotten his work done and then handled this later
-- But his mind was on Ruth, and her redemption was more important
- CH: Do we treat God’s work the same way? Do we respond when called?
-- Our challenge could be to see how this “man of standing” responded to his duty
- What is interesting is this other man, or redeemer, is unnamed
-- He is not named because that is not important, but what he is, is (re: focus)
-- Boaz invites him to sit down and discuss a matter of great importance (v1)
-- The implication of “my friend” means that Boaz has come in peace
- Boaz then approaches this from purely a business standpoint to this man
-- In v3-4 he offers him this land that is available for him to redeem
-- For Boaz, this is a calculated offer, knowing that his real intention is coming
-- APP: See this, sometimes a little salesmanship is required …
- The redeemer agrees to redeem it, and then Boaz drops the rest of the news
-- (v5) If you want the land, you must also take Naomi for she is a widow
-- Not only must he redeem Naomi, but he must also redeem Ruth
-- What’s interesting is how he describes Ruth …
-- “… requires that you marry Ruth, the Moabite widow. That way she can have children who will carry on her husband’s name and keep the land in the family.”
-- (chuckle) If there was ever a description that seemed VERY unflattering …
- Chat: Basically, you got to know man … there is baggage with this land
-- Yes, perhaps he overplays this, but hey, his ”why” is clear (refer Ruth 3:11, “Now don’t worry about a thing, my daughter. I will do what is necessary, for everyone in town knows you are a virtuous woman.”)
- Boaz was really the only male in town who had interaction with Ruth
-- He knew what she was really like, and was willing to be her redeemer
-- Why? Because Boaz knew the real value and he is laying it all out
- Get this: Is Boaz presenting this fraudulently? Not really, but …
-- He is making him an offer in a way that he sees the whole picture up front
-- For example: You can follow Jesus, but you will need to give up your FAV sin
-- Is that a lie? Not at all! But if I framed it like that, it wouldn’t be appetizing
- The man’s response (v6) is one of self-preservation for his own life
-- APP: In taking this on, he’d not only have land but two women to provide for
-- This would mean out of pocket expenses and well, he wasn’t willing to do it
-- Surely the land would be valuable, but Naomi and Ruth would be complications
- Their negotiation is sealed (v7) by the exchanging of a sandal
-- Now, before any of us get weird here: they didn’t have a notary public available
-- So, in the presence of those gathered, this would signify a handshake agreement
- Boaz then declares to all those that are within ear shot that he is willing
-- He will be the redeemer of this land, and these women from today forward
-- First, the property rights of Elimelech, Mahlon, and Kilion are now his (v9)
-- Second, he also acquired Ruth the Moabite as his wife in order to honor them
-- RE: Levirate Law is at play here, and Boaz is executing his right as redeemer
-- Note: In v10 we now know who Ruth was married to: Mahlon (it’s never stated)
- The elders at the gate testify (v11): “We are witnesses”, and the deal is done
-- Then, those at the gate offer Boaz a blessing on his future and his home
• May God bless you and your home, and may you prosper greatly …
-- The reference to Rachel and Leah reaches all the way back to birth of Israel
• May your home be blessed as these women blessed us (Jacob’s wives)
• And … (bonus) may your home be fruitful in producing offspring! (v12)
- TR: Surely, we would think the deal is done here, end of the story, right?
-- But you see, there is MUCH more … so hang with me for a few more minutes!
Point 2 – Look what God has done!
- Ruth and Boaz get married, and in the natural course of things, have a child (v13)
-- See this: This one verse summarizes the first year of their marriage together
- This first son, comes with GREAT fanfare and praise from the family
-- Their praise, however, was not for Boaz and his efforts!
- Rather, the praise is for what God has done – which is give Naomi a legacy!
-- Re: Homecoming was terrible, and now they are celebrating with her … how?
-- Re-read verse 14 … “Praise the Lord” (is the focus of the celebration) WHY?
-- IMP: Family lineage is VITAL in the OT, and this is news to celebrate!
- APP: It means that her life has meaning, that she will be well known
-- That her having a child now leaves her lineage intact; EX: her life has meaning
- They even pray, “May he become famous in Israel” … wow … prophetic!
-- May this child be famous and provide great strength
- In v15 they ask for this child to renew her life; to give her purpose
-- Hebrew: shub; to turn back (restore) / nephesh: a soul (life)
- Literally: May this child give you back a reason to move forward!
-- The implication is that before this, she was damaged goods, with no life ahead
-- And, because of Ruth’s love for you, God has blessed you with a grandson
-- BIGGER: Ruth’s love is better than seven sons; truly she has taken care of you!
- This, to me, brings us to the GREATEST verse in the book of Ruth, v17 …
-- The women living there said, “Naomi has a son!” And they named him Obed.
-- He became the father of Jesse, and the grandfather of David
- TR: So, what does the book of Ruth show and teach us in 2022?
Point 3 – Series Wrap Up
- To answer that, it is important to take a quick look back at our series
- Naomi began with emptiness, a sense of dread, loneliness, and despair
1) Ruth 1:21, “I went away full, but the Lord has brought me home empty. Why call me Naomi when the Lord has caused me to suffer and the Almighty has sent such tragedy upon me?” (read: poor, woe is me …)
2) Finished with a sense of fulfillment and purpose in her life (heirs/family)
- In the end she saw that God was truly for her, and provided redemption for her
-- Tie into us: Do we not have the same promise EVEN when life is hard?
-- Romans 8:28, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
- WE can see what happened, so here’s my challenge: See the BIG picture!
-- See what God has done to understand you too are favored and protected now!
-- 2 Samuel 7:13, “He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever.”
-- Luke 1:32-33, “He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”
- The genealogy of v18-22 shows us the impact that this child will have forever
-- Note: Perez is a son of Judah: Genesis 38: 27-30, “When the time came for Tamar to give birth, it was discovered that she was carrying twins. While she was in labor, one of the babies reached out his hand. The midwife grabbed it and tied a scarlet string around the child’s wrist, announcing, “This one came out first.” But then he pulled back his hand, and out came his brother! “What!” the midwife exclaimed. “How did you break out first?” So he was named Perez. Then the baby with the scarlet string on his wrist was born, and he was named Zerah.”
-- Perez, in Hebrew means "breach or burst forth"
- His reach and his purpose is far beyond what anyone could even imagine!
-- His ancestry stretches across Israel, providing the way for One we call Lord!
-- How? Through the obedience of a man willing to be a redeemer
- Let’s recall our “Big Ideas” from this entire series … (sermon notes from past)
• First: “Sometimes when you abandon God, your life has disastrous consequences.”
• Second: “God is STILL faithful … even when we aren’t!”
• Third: “God still provides, even when we think there is no hope for us”
• Fourth: “Even in tough times, God is STILL accomplishing His plan to bring redemption to those He loves!”
• Fifth: “When you are given direction to move and follow God, are you willing to step out and trust even though you have NO IDEA where the future will lead?
• Sixth: “There is a time for God’s people to wait for God to remove the obstacles in front of us; but there is also a time to confront the obstacles!”
Big Idea
- Don’t Miss: In the darkest days, time of Judges (Ruth 1:1), God was at work
-- Will you trust Him to be at work in your life today?
- Or will you continue to do things your way, hoping it’ll all work out?
-- Psalm 28:7, “The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.”
- That is really what this series comes down to … knowing God still has a plan
-- And our role is look for Him, listen to Him, and follow Him in everything!
- APP: He is powerful enough to rescue you from your sin IF you’ll trust Him!
- The real question for you and I is: “What are we waiting for?”
-- It’s not about insurance, or just not wanting to go to hell, but surrendering
-- If God is able to redeem this one family; what could he do for you?
- Pray for:
• Salvation
• Wisdom to follow
• Grace to forgive and seek Him
• Willingness to be His servants and tell others about Jesus
