GRACE AT HIS FEET
Text: Ruth 3:6-13
Introduction
1. Illustration: Nothing has stolen more dreams, dashed more hopes, broken up more families, and messed up more people psychologically than our propensity to disregard God's commands regarding sexual purity. (Andy Stanley).
2. In Ruth 3, we find two people—Ruth and Boaz—meeting under the cover of darkness. It’s a scene filled with risk, vulnerability, and profound faith.
3. Read Ruth 3:6-13
Transition: Let’s go along with Ruth to the threshing floor and find…
I. God’s Grace in Integrity
A. Previously, we learned that Naomi had a plan to find a husband for Ruth. Naomi gave her specific instructions as to what to do, and Ruth said she would do what Naomi told her.
B. Now in vv. 6-7, we see Ruth following through on Naomi’s instructions. The text says, “So she went down to the threshing floor that night and followed the instructions of her mother-in-law. 7 After Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he lay down at the far end of the pile of grain and went to sleep. Then Ruth came quietly, uncovered his feet, and lay down.”
1. Ruth got ready and went to the threshing floor as her mother-in-law instructed her.
2. Once she was there, she waited until after Boaz had eaten and drank.
3. As Naomi had anticipated, he was now in “good spirits.” This does not mean that he was drunk, and in no way is this indicated in the text. However, his belly was full and he was contented.
4. Once this had taken place, he found a comfortable place to lie down for the night on the far end of the pile of grain.
5. Then as Naomi instructed her, Ruth uncovered his feet and laid down.
6. Again, in this context, this does not carry a sexual connotation with it. This was a common, culture way, of proposing marriage.
C. Next, the writer tells us in vv. 8-9, “Around midnight Boaz suddenly woke up and turned over. He was surprised to find a woman lying at his feet! 9 “Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she replied. “Spread the corner of your covering over me, for you are my family redeemer.”
1. The writer doesn’t give us any sign as to how much time elapses, but he does tell us that Boaz wakes up around midnight.
2. Perhaps he had a bad dream, or his feet got cold from his feet being uncovered.
3. However, when he wakes up, he notices a young woman lying at his feet. So, he asks her name, and she replies, “I am your servant, Ruth.”
4. It is interesting that she refers to herself with this term because up until now she was referred to as a “foreign woman,” or a “Moabite woman.”
5. This indicates that she had achieved increased status in Boaz’s mind.
6. Then she asks Boaz, “Spread the corner of your covering over me, for you are my family redeemer.” This phrase was a reference to a ceremonial covering of the head of the bride by the husband.
D. Boaz then responds to her request by saying, “The LORD bless you, my daughter!” Boaz exclaimed. “You are showing even more family loyalty now than you did before, for you have not gone after a younger man, whether rich or poor. 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. 12 But while it’s true that I am one of your family redeemers, there is another man who is more closely related to you than I am.”
1. Immediately, Boaz recognizes this, not as Ruth asking him to sleep with her, but rather as a request for marriage.
2. So, rather than seeing her as an immoral woman, he blesses her.
3. The writer constantly depicts both Ruth and Boaz as people of incredible integrity.
4. In fact, Boaz goes on to praise her for her family loyalty, saying she could have gone after a younger man.
5. She was under no obligation to marry Boaz, but she was showing what a person of great character she was by choosing him.
6. Then Boaz goes on to tell her that he will do everything possible to protect her integrity because “everyone in town knows that you are a virtuous woman.”
7. Then Boaz, shows his integrity, but telling Ruth that there was actually a man closer to her as a family redeemer.
8. So, here we have two people of integrity, who were willing to do what was right because it was right.
E. Next, Boaz tells Ruth in v. 13, “Stay here tonight, and in the morning I will talk to him. If he is willing to redeem you, very well. Let him marry you. But if he is not willing, then as surely as the LORD lives, I will redeem you myself! Now lie down here until morning.”
1. Boaz shows two remarkable aspects of his character. First, he acknowledges that the other family redeemer has the first opportunity to marry her, and if he was willing to do so, Boaz would not stand in the way.
2. But second, he tells Ruth, “As surely as the Lord lives,” and this was the most binding commitment that any Israelite could claim.
3. He’s basically saying, “may the Lord strike me dead if I don’t follow through.” It would have been a violation of the third commandment.
4. So, we have two people of integrity, who are obviously in love, but are committed to doing things the right way, simply because it is right.
Transition: What can we learn from Boaz and Ruth?
II. Our Need for Integrity
A. When entering into a relationship, make sure that you are on common ground.
1. “Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? 15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?” (2 Cor. 6:14-15).
2. To our young people, please listen to me; when deciding whether to date someone, the first question you ask is “Are you a Christian?”
3. If you are doing your best to follow Jesus and the other person is not, the relationship will not work.
4. If you say to yourself, “I can change them,” the opposite will happen. They will drag you down.
5. Their priorities are not the same as yours, and the devil will use that against you.
6. So, if you are in a relationship, and I ask you is he or she a Christian, you answer shouldn’t be “I don’t know!” Find out before the relationship begins.
7. Furthermore, there is a difference between believing Jesus existed and following Him. Make sure their actions match up with the answer they give you.
B. God calls us to live with integrity even when the world tells us to compromise.
1. “People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed.” (Prov. 10:9).
2. “We must be the same person in private and in public. Only the Christian worldview gives us the basis for this kind of integrity.” (Chuck Colson).
3. Are you the same person at church that you are in the parking lot at Walmart?
4. Are you the same person at church that you are inside Walmart?
5. Do people look at you and the way you act and say, “That person is a follower of Jesus.”
6. We ought to be people of integrity, not only when people are watching, but even when no one is watching, because Jesus is always watching!
C. Trust God for your future, because His plan is better than yours.
1. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jer. 29:11).
2. God has a plan for your life, and His ways are higher than yours.
3. God has a plan for your life, and He can see things that you cannot.
4. God has a plan for your life, and He knows things that you do not.
5. Trust God for your future, whether it’s about relationships, career, finances, or direction. He has a plan that you can count on.
Conclusion
What’s the point preacher? As Christians, followers of Christ, we are called to live out a life of integrity in our relationships, actions, and plans. God knows what you need and He will see that you get it.
