Ruth

Ruth, Rewarded For Faithfulness

Text: Ruth Chapter 3-4

Focus Chapter 3:1, 2, 4, 9-12; 4:6, 9, 10, 13-17

God places great emphasis on the family in the Bible and the Bible says the family begins with one male and one female. It is this union of male and female that are to produce children. This does not mean that God does not endorse adoption because without adoption not one of us could be saved as every believer is adopted into the family of God.

In this story of Ruth, we have Ruth, a young widow and Boaz a single man. It is from this beautiful story in the Bible that we get a "type" of our redeemer, The Lord Jesus Christ.

Type in the scriptures is a person, or an event, or some thing that resembles the things Christ Jesus did.

The Apostle Paul put it this way:

1Co 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

The Greek word "tupos" is used for the word "ensamples" or "example". This Greek word "tupos" is where we get our English word "type".

The Holy Spirit decided to use the concept of the Kinsman-Redeemer to portray the work of Christ Jesus on this Earth.

This is the Hebrew "Goel".

1.) He had to be related:

OT:

Deu 25:5 If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her.

NT:

 Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

2.) He must be able to pay the price:

OT:

Rth 2:1 And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.

NT:

1Pe 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

1Pe 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot

3.) He must be willing to redeem:

OT:

Rth 3:11 And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.

NT:

Mat 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Joh 10:15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Joh 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Let's watch as God prepares the way to Israel's greatest King.

Let's Begin:

*****Rth 3:1 Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek [rest] for thee, that [it may be well] with thee?

Ever since Boaz came into Ruth's life, Naomi has been a different person. Naomi had been full of self-pity but her concern was no more for herself but for this precious daughter-n-law that loved her so much.

It is a fact that we can get great satisfaction from serving others!

We may not think Naomi knew her Bible but we will soon see that she did. Naomi had a plan to get "rest" for Ruth which means, she had a plan to get Ruth a home and as the fairy tales always say "to live happily ever after".

If we pay close attention we will see Jesus Christ's relationship to all those who trust Him!

It may have been possible for Ruth and Naomi to survive since they were back in Bethlehem and among God's people.

BUT, When we have been accepted into the family if God, it is not enough to know He will never forsake us and will provide our needs, "it is in our best interest to seek a closer relationship with our Savior".

We need a personal, one-on-one relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. A "bride" should want to be with her husband.

*****Rth 3:2 And now is not Boaz [of our kindred], with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.

Ruth was a beautiful and virtuous woman and we can be sure that she was desired by other men but they could not have redeemed her. Only a kinsman could do that.

The harvest of the barley and the threshing would normally take about six weeks and it is obvious that Ruth had excited the interest of Boaz from the gifts she had received from him during this time.

Let's not forget this story take place during the time of the Judges. The theme of the Book of Judges was that mankind did what they thought was right in their own eyes.

BUT, Here we see that God still had some people that were trying to honor the Word of God presented in the five books of Moses and the Book of Joshua.

We will also see that God gave women certain rights that were not to be taken lightly especially the childless widow.

The threshing floor was not only a place to reap the harvest but it was also a place of feasting and festival at the end of Barley season.

*****Rth 3:4 And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.

Our lesson did not cover verse three but Naomi explained to Ruth that she needed to wash and anoint herself and change her clothes before she went to the threshing floor.

In Oriental custom Naomi was instructing Ruth to act like a "bride" before presenting herself to Boaz.

To the Bride of Christ it is written:

2Co 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Psa 51:2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Ruth went forward to Boaz because of what was written in the Word of God:

Deu 25:5 If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her.

Any man could have approached Ruth and asked for her hand in marriage but by the Word of God Ruth would have to approach her Kinsman-Redeemer in order for him to take any action toward her.

In our day it would be like a woman proposing to the man. For those that say this not right, then they do not line up with the Word of God. It may not be the norm but this is how Ruth got to be in the line to Jesus Christ.

And Ruth was following the Word of God to the Jews!

Ruth took off the garments of the widow and put on the garments of the Bride.

When we approach the Lord we need to be obedient to the rules laid out for us.

Jesus said:

Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

By the way that time is now in the Church Age!

Ruth was not familiar with the Word of God so Naomi was her instructor and Ruth was obedient to what she was taught.

*****Rth 3:9 And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth [thine handmaid]: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; [for thou art a near kinsman].

Boaz might have been caught a little off guard but he understood exactly what Ruth was trying to accomplish.

That word "handmaid" meant that Ruth was ready to be a slave to Boaz.

Notice Ruth was no longer the Ruth from Moab, she was Ruth searching for a new beginning.

Ruth knew she needed to be "born again".

And she went to ask Boaz if he would honor the Word of God and become her Kinsman-Redeemer.

When Boaz spread his mantle(skirt) he was laying claim to Ruth as his own.

The word "skirt" actually means "wing".

The Bible teaches us:

Eze 16:8 Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine.

Not just anyone could be the kinsman-redeemer. They first had to be the near kin.

When we think back to Jesus Christ me must remember He had to first be our kinsman to be our redeemer. God became flesh and blood so He could fulfill His written Word.

Heb 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

Heb 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

There was no other way for God to redeem His people.

This is the stumble-stone the world refuses to believe, but it is still the truth!

*****Rth 3:10 And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.

There is no doubt that Boaz was flattered by Ruth's offer of marriage. Boaz responded with a positive answer but also according to Oriental customs.

Ruth was wanting to show the world around her that she wanted to remain a part of Elimelech's family and that of her dead husband. She wanted to keep her new name.

Rev 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Boaz already knew Ruth was a virtuous woman and this just made Ruth more so in his eyes. This was the same devotion we all owe to the Lord.

Since Boaz was a near kinsman, he must next be able to redeem. Ruth and Naomi were much to poor to redeem themselves but Boaz had the resources to set them free.

The Bible teaches the Bride:

1Pe 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

1Pe 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

*****Rth 3:11 And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.

We can see that there was nothing immoral in all these proceedings. Boaz recognized the request of Ruth, he knew her devotion to Naomi, and he was seeing her devotion to the covenant keeping God of Israel.

This is the exact same thing each of us do when we accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior. We realize that Our Savior is also Our Creator, is also the Covenant keeping God of Israel and Our Redeemer.

Boaz considered it a blessing to do this thing.

Heb 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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

*****Rth 3:12 And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.

It is obvious that Boaz had already given this much thought.

The Bible says:

Joh 17:24 Father, [I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory], which thou hast given me: [for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world].

We can also see Our God has given this much thought!

Here we see the willingness of Boaz to do whatever it took to take Ruth for his "bride".

Then Naomi comforted Ruth.

Rth 3:18 Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.

When we have been obedient in the things of God, we must have patience enough to wait for God to do what He promises.

***** Rth 4:3 And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's:

Rth 4:4 And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my

people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there

is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it.

Boaz and Ruth had come to a personal decision and we must all make a personal decision to accept the Lord

but now comes the legal side.

The approach of Boaz was direct and according to the covenant of God and the traditions of that time.

The gate of the city was the same as the courthouse of our time. Boaz made this nearer kinsman aware of this

parcel of land but at this time he did not mention Ruth.

Boaz had assembled the elders of this community to witness this transaction by the Levirate law. Any action that took place on this day would be legal and would be binding to all parties.

God had everything in place in this part of His plan.

You know if we believe the Word of God we know that "Salvation" is the free gift of God but in the eyes of God "Redemption" was a very costly thing!

Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, [which he hath purchased with his own blood].

*****Rth 4:5 Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.

Rth 4:6 And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.

That other kinsman was willing to buy the land until he learned that Ruth was part of the transaction. The only way to understand this is to realize that if he married Ruth and they had a son then not only would that son be heir to the land of Elimelech and Naomi but that son would be heir to all his possessions.

He was not willing to place his own things into the hand of any unborn son of Ruth!

This man was not willing to make any change in property rights. It had nothing to do with Ruth.

This man was not willing to preserve the name of the dead.

We can see that we have a Father in Heaven who sent His Own Son that is willing to preserve the dead:

1Pe 4:6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

The world stays blind to the fact that our Redeemer could not be a man, could not be an angel and could certainly not be any demon. Our Redeemer had to be God who is our true Owner. This world was lost because of the sin of man and man cannot redeem himself.

Rom 3:11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

Rom 3:12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Our Redeemer had to be sent from God:

Joh 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

And that Lamb of God was Jesus Christ Our Lord:

Joh 1:36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

*****Rth 4:9 And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi.

Rth 4:10 Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day.

There are many things that could be said about the giving of that shoe but it suffices to say that this nearer kinsman was saying he was giving up the rights to ever walk on that land as the owner.

Remember what God told Abraham:

Gen 13:17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.

All these things were witnessed by the elders and everything was made legal and more important "Binding".

When we accept the truth of the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ and are accepted into the family of God it is a legal and "Binding" agreement the God makes to each believer and God will honor every such agreement.

Thank You Jesus for being willing to pay the price for our souls!

The Bible says:

Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even [as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it];

Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and [cleanse it with the washing of water by the word],

Eph 5:27 [That he might present it to himself a glorious church], not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

It is the Church that is the "Bride of Christ"!

*****Rth 4:13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son.

Where do we see God's "Grace"?

1.) God had given to Ruth an opportunity to become one of His children.(Holy Ghost Conviction)

2.) God had met her physical needs in the fields of Boaz. (Met her savior)

3.) God had allowed Boaz of Judah, to be her Kinsman Redeemer. (Redeemed by The Lord Jesus Christ)

4.) God had allowed Ruth to be bought for a great price. (The Blood of Jesus)

5.) God blessed Ruth with a son. (Place her in line to Jesus Christ)

6.) Obed means "servant"!(Jesus came the first time to serve and to save)

7.) Obed was a blessing to all his family. (God used His Only Son Jesus to bring a blessing unto the world we live in)

*****Rth 4:14 And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.

Rth 4:15 And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.

It was Obed who was a blessing to Naomi.

It was Obed who was a "restorer" of life to Naomi.

It would be Obed who would care for his grandmother, Naomi.

Obed would be famous because he would be grandfather to David but more important in the line of Jesus Christ!

Every baby born into this world is a step for our future. How many of these precious things have been the victims of abortion and will not be around to lead this nation of America and this world into the future.

*****Rth 4:16 And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.

Rth 4:17 And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Naomi was no longer Mara the bitter woman but she was back to her own sweet self.

If Ruth is a "type" of the Church we can see that it should be the Church, the Bride of Christ, that should be bringing some joy and peace into this world.

Satan had lost another battle in trying to stop the plan of God.

Noah found "Grace".

Jacob found "Grace".

Joseph found "Grace".

Moses found "Grace" and we have seen that Ruth found "Grace".

Why?

The Bible says:

Joh 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

God has given us this time of "Grace" known as the Church Age.

"Grace is the unmerited favor of God to all mankind".

To everyone God provides sunshine, rainfall, food, and clothing, BUT to the Believer God will with-hold judgment and forgive sin,(true Grace).

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

We will begin a good study in the Book of Acts next week. We will see the formation of the early church.

That word "Grace" is seen 131 times in the New Testament and it is the theme of the Word of God during this Church Age.

We have seen the "Grace" of God in this Book of Ruth so it is a good time to study the Book of Acts.

The Bible says:

Tit 2:11 For [the grace of God that bringeth salvation] hath appeared to all men,

Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing [of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ];

Jesus is coming soon!

Questions?

Let's Pray!

Ruth, Devoted To Duty

Ruth---Devoted To Duty

Book of Ruth

Chapters 1:1-8, 14-17, 19, 20; 2:1-3, 11, 12

We only spent 4 weeks in our study of the Book of Judges but for the most part we saw disobedience to Jehovah God, the judgment that followed, and then God sending a deliverer. We saw that over and over again this cycle was repeated.

One of the saddest parts of Judges was the statement that "Every man did that which was right in his own eyes".

But we know this is exactly where the world stands today and this includes America. This is what is called "Religious Humanism".

But in the midst of all this turmoil we have the little Book of Ruth which serves at least two purposes. The Book of Ruth connects the genealogy of the tribe of Judah to Israel's greatest king, David and the line to the Messiah.

The Book of Ruth states that the time period was in the time of the Judges and one of the main things we can observe is that God has a plan and the things that happen in this world are under the control and care of Our Sovereign Lord.

We can also see the Holy Ghost decided we needed to see a "Love Story".

The Holy Ghost decided that we needed to see that the "Grace" of Our Lord extends beyond the national boundaries of Israel.

Some other things we will learn is:

1.) We cannot run away from our problems.

2.) We cannot hide our mistakes nor hide from them.

3.) AND, It is always wrong to blame God because the choices we make don't work out.

BUT, the greatest lesson in the Book of Ruth is the actions of the "Kinsman Redeemer"!

So let's begin:

*****Rth 1:1 Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.

Some things we see is that this story takes place in the days of the Judges. In the Book of Judges we did not see many happy days for Israel.

We can also see that the tribe of Judah was in control of this city of Bethlehem.

Bethlehem means: "the house of bread".

Judah means "praise".

This little city sounds like a great place to live and a great place to be born. In fact King David was born here but more important King Jesus was born here by the miracle of the "Virgin Birth". Not just some "young maiden" but an actual "Virgin Birth"!

A famine was most always a sign of God's judgment. We know that this happened repeatably in the time of the Judges. We also know that the godly had to suffer along with the ungodly.

When trouble comes into our lives we normally do one of of three things.

1.) We endure it and that trial will control our lives.

2.) We run from it and we will miss the opportunity to serve God through it.

3.) Or we learn from our trials and come out better for them.

Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

*****Rth 1:2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.

We have Elimelech which means "God is King"

And Naomi which means "my delight or sweetness"

And Mahlon which means "sickly"

And Chilion which means "wasting away"

From Ephrathites which means "abundance or bearing fruit" same as Bethlehem "the house of bread"

We see a family leaving this wonderful place to go to Moab.

What does God say about Moab:

Psa 108:9 [Moab is my washpot]; over Edom will I cast out my shoe; over Philistia will I triumph.

Moab is God's wash pot or God's boiling pot. This does not sound like a good place to live.

In other words this family moved back to the land where they had camped before Joshua had led them into the promised land.

God says this is the place I go to wash my feet!

*****Rth 1:3 And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.

The first thing we see is that this move to Moab brings death! If Naomi was still at there place in Bethlehem she would have still had the land that God had given her family but in Moab she had nothing and lived among the enemies of God's people.

Elimelech had made the wrong decision, he had walked by sight and had not even ask for the council of God.

No matter what our circumstances are when God places us in the "house of bread", that's where we should stay until He moves us!

My "house of bread" is right here at Gethsemane Baptist Temple. This where God has placed me. This where I will stay until God moves me!

Elimelech had not walked by "faith"!

Did God punish him? No, it was the decisions he had made that had caused his death!

The Bible says:

Isa 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

*****Rth 1:4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.

These Moabites were descendants of Lot from his incestuous union with his daughters. "They had chosen to be enemies of Israel".

By the commands of Moses the Jews were forbidden to marry Gentile women and especially those of Moab and Ammon.

It was because of Moabite women that 24,000 Israelites had died in their journey to the Promised Land.

Orpah means "deer or fawn" so she was probably athletic.

Ruth means " beauty and or personality". She was beautiful but she was not dumb. Ruth was a very remarkable person and in the end was used of God in the ancestry of Jesus.

*****Rth 1:5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.

At the end of 10 years in God's "washpot" Naomi was left with only those two "daughter n laws". Three lonely widows!

Naomi later said:

Rth 1:21 I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?

*****Rth 1:6 Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: [for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread].

The famine was over back in the Promised Land but not for Naomi still in God's "washpot".

This report gave Naomi hope enough to return to her homeland. In other words the Lord had visited His people!

We can be sure that the Lord will visit His people Israel again as the Bible promises!

We can also be sure that ancient-oriental societies made no provisions for widows of any age. They had to return to their families or try to find a new husband which was not always very easy. BUT, If Naomi could get back to her homeland she knew God had made some provisions in the Book of Laws for widows. She knew she could at least gather food to eat.

*****Rth 1:7 Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.

Naomi had made the right decision to return to Bethlehem but she had made it for the wrong reason. She was not trying to get closer to Jehovah, she was trying to get closer to food!

Both daughter-n-laws set out with her.

*****Rth 1:8 And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.

It can get confusing as to why Naomi did not want her daughter-n-laws to return with her. To send them back to their old homesteads would be sending them back to pagan gods. Naomi was mad at Jehovah but she still knew He was the God of Israel.

The only thing that makes sense is that Naomi believed she was being punished for what her husband had done. What we know for sure is that Naomi was not broken into repentance but she was very bitter!

God says:

Psa 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

And to the New Testament Church, God writes:

Mat 12:6 But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.

Mat 12:7 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, [ye would not have condemned the guiltless].

Naomi was telling these two girls that she hoped the Lord would provide them with better husbands than that of her two sons.

We can see the bitterness in Naomi and she did not want that bitterness to affect the lives of these two girls.

The Bible teaches us:

Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

*****Rth 1:14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.

Rth 1:15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.

Ruth dearly loved her mother-n-law. Naomi tried her best to convince these two girls that their life would be better served if they went back into their world.

If we can use the word "Type" here we can see that the most important decision we make in our lives is that of salvation. Ruth was making her most important life decision!

Nothing in this world can cause God's plan to fail but Ruth's decision that day was a part of the fulfilling of prophecy that the Lord Jesus Christ would be born in Bethlehem.

Orpah turned back but Ruth began this day fulfilling her purpose in the plan of God.

"Once Orpah walked away she was of no use to God"!

We all have some part in God's plan but we may not realize that purpose until we get to Heaven!

Again, God has chosen the least likely of people to accomplish His will on this Earth!

Ruth passed her first test to see if she could be clay in the potter's hand!

*****Rth 1:16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

Rth 1:17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

What does Ruth say here?

There is no doubt the love she had for Naomi. In fact these same scriptures were used by many of us when we were married.

Ruth confesses her love for Naomi even to the time of her death.

Ruth confesses her "faith" in the True and Living God.

AND, She breaks any ties to the false gods she had known since her childhood.

Jesus said:

Mat 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Mat 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

Ruth pledges allegiance to the God of the Bible, the God of Israel and the Creator of this world we live in!

We should point out one thing here:

Deu 23:3 An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the LORD for ever:

Deu 23:4 Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.

We might ask how did Ruth overcome this obstacle God had put in place through the Laws of Moses?

I believe it can be said Ruth got in just like every "Born Again" child of God!

We know that The Law excludes every sinner from God's family!

BUT, By trusting God's "Mercy" and accepting God's "Grace" we can all be welcomed into the family of God but "only by Faith" in the LORD Jesus Christ.

2Co 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

God is still long suffering and not willing that any of us should perish!

God is still a "Whosoever will come" God!

To review:

Ruth made her decision to go with Naomi and nothing Naomi said could change her mind.

Ruth said she accepted what Naomi offered her which "was poverty and not riches".

Ruth said she accepted that she would be identified with God's people "unashamed" that the hope of Israel was also her hope and is also our hope!

Ruth said Jehovah will be my God.

Ruth said these decisions I make today will be for my entire lifetime.

*****Rth 1:18 When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.

There was nothing that Naomi could say.

You know if you make these same decisions today God will not say anything, He will just write your name in His Book of Life.

*****Rth 1:20 And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.

It had been 10 years since Naomi had left Bethlehem, the "house of bread". The people of Bethlehem could barely recognize her as those 10 years had taken their toll on Naomi. Naomi had come back different than she had left. She was not that sweet person she had used to be but the trials of life had made her a bitter woman.

We cannot control the circumstances of our lives or those around us BUT we can control how we respond to them!

Naomi blamed it all on The Lord who is never the blame for the choices we make!

Every child of God that goes out full should remain full and also come back even more full!

Naomi may have understood that God does judge the sin in our lives but "He will never kick us out of the family"!

This is His promise!

*****Rth 2:1 And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.

Now we meet the "Kinsman-Redeemer".

We should be very aware as we proceed in this story of Ruth that Boaz is a "Type of Christ" in the Old Testament.

What are the qualifications of a Kinsman-Redeemer.

1.) There must be a "Blood Relationship":

Compare to Christ Jesus:

Gal 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

Gal 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Heb 2:16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

Heb 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

2.) There must the ability to redeem, he must have the necessary resources:

Compare to Christ Jesus:

1Co 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

1Pe 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

1Pe 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

3.) There must a willingness to redeem:

Compare to Christ Jesus:

Joh 10:15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Joh 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Joh 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

Joh 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

1Jn 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

*****Rth 2:2 And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.

No doubt Ruth had heard Naomi say that if we can make it back to Bethlehem we can at least find some food to live on.

SO, What is gleaning?

God had made special arrangements for the poor of the land:

Lev 19:9 And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest.

Lev 19:10 And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the LORD your God.

God insisted that Israel make arrangements for the poor of Israel "and for the stranger".

Lev 23:22 And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am the LORD your God.

God had made this a constant reminder to Israel:

Deu 24:19 When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands.

Ruth knew she was poor, a widow, and a stranger. If God's Word was true then she wanted to go get them some food and was willing to work for it. This was not a handout.

*****Rth 2:3 And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.

Now we can believe that Ruth just happened to find the fields of Boaz "but we miss the providence of God if we do so".

God is altogether sovereign!

God is not a God of chance!

Any believer that is seeking honestly to know and to do the will of God, especially in relation to the Will of God already revealed in scripture, can feel secure that the circumstances around him or her are the purpose of God.

It's God's plan and He wants us all involved in His Plan!

We should never make a plan of our own that goes against the Word of God!

To live by "faith" is to take God at His Word!

To live by "faith" is to know that God is constantly working in our lives!

Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

This why we can witness, why we can teach, and why we can preach the "truth" of the Word of God!

Mar 16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, [the Lord working with them], and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

*****Rth 2:11 And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.

It is obvious that there was a lot of gossip in Bethlehem.

BUT, It can also be said that if you are a Christian you should stick out in a crowd.

No one had anything bad to say about Ruth.

Ruth had done exactly what Abraham had done:

Gen 12:1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

Gen 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

Gen 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

In this sense Ruth is a "type" of the Church.

She will become a Gentile bride to Boaz who is in fact a "type" of Christ.

*****Rth 2:12 The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.

Jesus used a similar scene to teach the disciples the seriousness of witnessing:

Mat 9:37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

Mat 9:38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

And rewards will come to all that are obedient to the Lord of the Harvest:

Col 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

Col 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

and we should be aware that these are the things that we are judged for "after" salvation:

2Jn 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

It is Ruth who made the choice to trust in the God of Israel "and she found a loving God of Salvation":

Psa 36:7 How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.

Psa 36:8 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.

Psa 36:9 For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.

Questions?

Let's Pray!