Ruth 4:13-17 NKJV
“Choices”
May 28, 2023
Many see this little history book, which was written during the time of the judges, as nothing more than a love story. It is a love story but not of Boaz and Ruth; it is a love story of the Creator and His Creation. It is a story of a lost sinner who, through divine guidance and providence, is brought into a relationship with the God of Creation and is made to be an ancestor of the promised Christ. We are taught in this book that God is not just the Savior of Israel, but that He is the Savior of the entire human race!
Here we have the history of Ruth, the Moabite, who lived a consistent and steadfast life contrary to the society in which she dwelled. She was brought into Israel, married an Israeli named Boaz and became a part of the covenant people of the Lord. She became the great-grandmother to King David and an ancestor of the Lord Jesus Christ. All of this came to pass in her life because she was unwilling to change her mind, change her devotion or to change her direction. She chose to keep going in the face of adversity, despite the unknown consequences of following God and she did not turn back, nor did she give up.
I. THE DEPRESSION - In the first verses of the Book of Ruth we are introduced to the family of a man named Elimelech who lived during the days of the judges. It is the sad tale of a man who chooses to walk away from the Promised Land to a land of false promise. As a result of his decision, he and his family pay a terribly high price. We are told that Elimelech takes his family to a place called Moab. Moab was located just across the Jordan River, east of the Promised Land. It was inhabited by people who worshiped pagan gods. History teaches in Numbers 23 and Deuteronomy 23 that they attacked and opposed Israel, seeking to destroy the people of God, during Israel's wilderness wanderings. This was a people opposed to God and His ways. Yet, they were a people who could have been saved had they turned to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as Ruth did. It is to this despised and wicked nation that Elimelech moves his family. Here we see a picture of that person who believes that the grass is greener on the other side and only death and despair is his reward. If this section of scripture teaches us anything, it teaches us that living in a backslidden condition carries with it devastating consequences, but restoration is always a possibility with the divine.
This book opens with three widows, Naomi and her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth. These three women have just lost their husbands. Now, they are left destitute in the country of Moab with little or no hope for the future. How they respond to their situation can teach us much about how we should react when we find ourselves away from the Lord and in trouble because of sin. Ruth and Orpah were natives of Moab, but Naomi was a native of Judah. She was a Jew and she knew the Lord and after the death of her husband, she is determined to return to the place where the Lord was blessing His people.
Depression in the Land - Ruth was a member of a condemned nation. She and her people were sinful and had been judged and condemned by the Lord. Her's was a desperate and lost condition. Just as we were helpless and condemned before God. That condemnation fell upon us because of the sin of Adam, Romans 5:12, and we were all abiding under the wrath of God, John 3:36. The fact is, we were nothing but lost and undone sinners, Romans 3:23.
Depression in the Family - The history tells us that after Naomi's husband died that death came upon their two sons also. Now the widow Naomi has to care for these two young widows with no means of support and with no hope for the future. They faced a terrible trial. It seemed that there only hope was to return to the home of their father and hope another man would eventually marry them. That is precisely how the new life begins! A conscious decision is made to leave the old life behind and to go with Jesus into a new life in Him.
II. THE DECISION - Naomi’s decision is based on DESPAIR, she has heard that the famine that caused her family to leave Bethlehem has ended and that there is bread in the land. So, she rises up to go home, and her two daughter-in-laws rise up to go with her. As they begin their journey, Naomi encourages both of these girls to return to the home of their mothers. Such is the condition of Naomi's heart that she would try to keep these women from going with her into the promised land of blessing. They are challenged to give up their resolve to follow Naomi and they are tempted to turn back to a life of heathenism and wickedness. Satan would love nothing better than to confront you with challenge after challenge to get you to turn your back on the Lord. How you respond to these challenges reveals a great deal about the level of your commitment. Naomi tries to persuade these women to go home because she has no more sons to marry the women and give them children under the law of the Levirate Marriage. And, even if she remarried and had children, these girls couldn't be expected to wait until these new sons were grown. As you listen to Naomi's words, you can easily see that she is completely in despair and stripped of hope. This is the Consequences of Despair! Naomi actually encouraged Ruth and Orpah to return to their pagan gods and wicked lifestyles. She has lost all her ability to be a powerful witness for the glory of God. Naomi is proof of the truth that a sad and sin sick believer is a poor witness for the Gospel. We are to try to bring them in, not turn them away!
Orpah’s decision is based on DEFEAT, when Orpah heard this speech, she kissed her mother-in-law and turned around and went home. I am afraid that there are a lot of people around who are just like Orpah. They face the challenges of life by defecting and going back to the own thing. Please don't let this be the way you react to life's challenges. The problem with Orpah was that her heart was still filled with love for the old gods and the old people. She was still a Moabite. Her heart had never been changed! Orpah is a picture of that person who is a "mere professor" of faith in the Lord. She walked away from the light and is never heard from again.
Ruth’s decision is based on DEVOTION, after Orpah leaves, Ruth clings to Naomi. She is determined to stay with her mother-in-law. This allows us a glimpse into her heart. She shows us, by here actions that which is the best response in a time of challenge. The heart Ruth reveals to us is one of absolute devotion and commitment. You see, instead of driving us away from our commitments, the challenges of life should cause us to cleave to Him more strongly. In her commitment, Ruth demonstrates the fact that her heart had been changed and she was willing to follow a New Lord into a New Land to live a New Life. She makes a total commitment that extends all the way to death. She devotes every second of every remaining day to walking with the Lord. For her, there would be no looking back! Genuine Christianity is about a total commitment. There is a story I tell about total commitment that my youngest son used to love when he was a child. ILLS: There was a Prayer Breakfast going on in a small farming town. That morning a Chicken and a Pig were walking by and the Chicken said to the Pig, “Don’t you hear the worship going on at the breakfast? Let’s lets go over and offer our support?” Then the Pig said to the Chicken, “No, No, No! All they want from you is an egg donation, but from me they require total commitment!”
III. THE DELIVERANCE - It is against this backdrop of tragedy and trials that we are introduced to a man named Boaz. He is a near kinsman to Naomi's dead husband. In this short, but powerful book, we get to watch as the Kinsman-Redeemer works on behalf of these two poor widows. He willingly exercises the rights and duties of the Kinsman-Redeemer. He makes the difference in their lives and presents for us a thrilling picture of a great Kinsman-Redeemer, the Lord Jesus. In order for a person to be a Kinsman-Redeemer, he had to have three qualifications (ready, willing and able):
1. He had to be ready to redeem. He needed to be a relative by design.
2. He had to be willing to redeem. He needed to be motivated by desire.
3. He had to be able to redeem. He needed to be in a position of dominance.
Boaz fulfilled all of these requirements. And, as we shall see, so did the Lord Jesus, our heavenly Redeemer!
Ruth has gone to the field of Boaz to glean barley. While she was there, she met the owner of the field. She caught his eye. She returns home that evening weary and tired from her labors, but she has a blessing to tell. All day, her mother-in-law Naomi would have been waiting for her to return with enough grain for a little meal. When Ruth does return, she is loaded down with enough grain to last them a week. As Naomi listens to Ruth speak, she hears the name Boaz and says that "he is one of our next kinsmen". She begins to realize all that the Lord is doing. In His providence, He has brought Ruth into contact with one who has the right of redemption according to the Law, Leviticus 25. She tells Ruth to go back to work and Boaz will treat you right. Ruth got what she did because she was willing to work for it! She gleaned and she got! The same is true in spiritual matters! You get out of something about as much as you put into it! Whether it be prayer, worship or just victory in your daily life, it isn't for the lazy! God's best is reserved for those who are willing to deny themselves, take up His cross daily and follow Him, Matthew 16:24. The bible teaches that Boaz becomes their ‘Kinsman Redeemer” and purchases the land of Elimelech and take Ruth as his wife. The child that Ruth and Boaz had together was named "Obed". This is a name that means "Worshiping".(Note: Genuine worship will always erupt out of a personal relationship with the Son of God!) This son firmly fixed Ruth's place in Israel! You see, her redemption gave her legal standing in the courthouse records, but this child gave her a connection with the royal family! Obed was King David's grandfather! This made Ruth David's great-grandmother! But, more than that, she is named in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 1 Ruth is listed as the ancestor of Jesus Christ!
Jesus is Ready - Boaz was related and ready. John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
Jesus is Willing - Everything Boaz did suggests that he is willing to do anything to get to know Ruth. Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jesus is Able - Boaz was a mighty man of wealth. Jude 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.
