Responding Means Submitting To God – Ruth, Part 5 Series

“Responding means Submitting to God” – Ruth, Part 5

Ruth Sermon Series, Part 5

Ruth 3:1-9

Cookout today, ALL invited … you got to eat!!

Introduction

- So, let’s sum up the first four sermons very quickly with three ideas:

- “Sometimes when you abandon God, your life has disastrous consequences; but God is STILL faithful … even when we aren’t!”

- The focus of the book is NOT the budding relationship with Boaz and Ruth

-- Nor is it Naomi trying to find a future or a life for her and Ruth

- The focus of this series is this fact: “Even in tough times, God is STILL accomplishing His plan to take care of those He loves!”

-- I firmly believe if we keep this at the forefront, this book will click for us

- Cards on the table: Discipleship is a life-long journey

-- One of the key opportunities we have is the ability to show grace to one another

-- This book is one example of what grace can do for a life that is in chaos

- Let’s see where this story takes us today …

- Read Ruth 3:1-9 / Pray

Point 1 – Naomi begins to plan for the future

- RE: Ruth was invited by Boaz to work the entire harvest season

-- So, we find ourselves two months later when the season is about over

-- And now, Naomi has a situation developing which she knows needs action

- It is not a creepy issue, nor anything consisting of perverted intentions

-- It is simply a matter of necessity that Naomi sees for Ruth (let’s unpack …)

- In v1, we see Naomi thinking about the future

• “My daughter” – still a term of endearment and meant in love/honor

• “It’s time that I find” – “I” … again she sees herself as a caregiver

• “So that you will be provided for” – Naomi knows she won’t live forever

- In essence, “Ruth, it is time to look ahead and see how you can live.”

-- RE: Ruth has promised and committed to stay with Naomi until death

- Boaz, Naomi continues, is a kinsman of ours (able to redeem, last week) (v2)

-- AND Boaz is capable of providing a future for you to survive

- Sooooooo … Naomi encourages her to do four specific things (v3):

1) Be attractive: Take a bath, put on some perfume, and dress up

-- The time of mourning hubby is passed, and it is now time for you to have a life

-- Note: Perhaps it is b/c of this that Boaz never really pursued her

-- APP: Out of respect, maybe he knew she was in mourning, so he never engaged

-- But it is time for Ruth to present herself as one who is “on the market” again

2) Be attentive: Pay attention to where Boaz rests for the evening

-- Boaz, being the boss, would not have slept where servants did (v4)

-- When the workday is over, he will have dinner and then go to rest somewhere

-- Naomi says, pay attention to where he lays down so you can be by him

3) Be assertive: Go and uncover his feet and lie down by him

-- Naomi is asking Ruth to take a tremendous leap of faith here

-- “Go uncover this man’s feet and then wait for further instructions”

- Ruth was being told to approach him in humility, as a servant

-- Go and present yourself as a servant, humble yourself before Boaz

-- NOTE: This is not a sexual advance, but one of great humility / honor

4) Be available: Boaz will tell you what to do

-- Be ready to receive further instructions and be receptive to listen/respond

-- APP: It’s an incredible act of loyalty to pause and wait for instructions

-- In this, Ruth is to present herself as someone who available …

- TR: So, why are these four things important us to see? Because …

Point 2 – Life is a not about trusting in what you know!

- Take a look at Ruth’s response to this woman that she loves and trusts (v5)

-- Naomi, I will do whatever you say because I trust you

-- REMEMBER: Ruth 1:16-17, “But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. (don’t miss this commitment) May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!”

- IMP: This reminder is so very critical; discipleship challenge from Sermon #1