● Ruth is a narrative, meaning it’s one continual story … Ruth 2 ● We don’t know who the Author is, but whoever wrote it is brilliant! God’s Provision o There is so much in the book of Ruth, it’s filled with literary devices and words that are intentionally woven Image Church // Ruth: week 2 throughout the story to help us have a better
understand of who God is … ● We know that this story takes place during the time period of the book of Judges based on Ruth 1:1 Introduction o Joshua and Judges are pretty much chronological, Well good morning Image Family! I hope you’re doing well, if you’re a Joshua is about God’s people entering into the FTG with us we’re so excited that you’re here today, this is a great promised land, and Judges is more about the people time to jump into what’s happening here at Image settling into the promised land, and so Ruth is a story … ● To find out how you can do that, just grab someone with a that’s been spotlighted within the book of Judges lanyard and they will be happy to help you out! … ● Here’s a summary of what’s been happening in the book of Judges: Judges 21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel; Hey really quick, the countdown is on We have 2 weeks until we everyone did whatever seemed right to him. nd … th celebrate our 2 birthday as a church on January 26 ! ● We want to get a little fired up about that- we’re going to be And I told you, here’s what we’re going to see in the Book of Ruth: doing some fun stuff that weekend, make sure you’re here- The book of Ruth isn’t just a story about Ruth, it’s a story about God, esp. if you call Image Church home! and it was intentionally written for us to help us have a better ● And here’s the challenge, every person would invite 2 people understanding of who He is … to celebrate 2 years! o Now is the time to begin praying about who you’re And what we’re going to see in the book of Ruth is the faithful love of going to invite God and how He extends provision and restoration by taking unsuspecting and undeserving people in surprising ways from despair Alright, for those of you that had a little extra fun celebrating NY’s, 1 to delight as God. and were gone last week We kicked off the new year and this … one-year discipleship journey that we’re in with a series through the So far here’s what we’ve seen Narrate an overview of Chapter 1 … book of Ruth ● Elimelech, Naomi, Mahlon and Chilion Go to Moab … … ● So, if you have your Bibles go ahead and turn to Ruth 2 ● Not a good decision Moabites are wicked people … … … o Start from the beginning of your Bible o Elimelech dies Son’s take Moabite wives … … … o Son’s die As you’re turning there let remind you of a few things and bring you … ● Heard the Lord had provided food back home in Bethlehem up to speed with what’s going on … ● Naomi tells her 2 daughters-in-law to go back to their people ● Ruth is one of only 2 books named after a woman … and their gods Orpha does, but Ruth stays with Naomi o And it’s the only book in the OT named after someone … … who’s not Jewish 1 Thought influenced by David Platt, sermon. Hope for the Hurting Part 1. Dec. 9, 2019. … ● Naomi and Ruth return back: Naomi is very bitter One of the instructions God gave His people was to deliberately leave … ● Shaky faith at best the grain in the corners of their fields, and not go back to gather grain … they might have dropped This was to be done for economically … God, through His faithful love and grace even when it wasn’t vulnerable and the marginalized people of that day … deserved, brought Naomi and Ruth out of Moab and back to His ● From the beginning God valued the vulnerable and the people in the promised land at just the right time even though they marginalized … may not see it yet ● What He was asking to those with fields was essentially leave … money on the table … God has provided a road out of ruin through His faithful love. ● You could always tell the difference between a Israelites field and a non-Israelite Non-Israelite’s or Gentiles did what … We get a glimpse into what God’s doing in the last line of Chapter 1 made sense, they reaped to the Edges … that actually serves as a set up transition to Chapter 2: ● God said to His people trust me …2 Ruth 1:22 So Naomi came back from the territory of Moab with her o NT equivalent is the tithe … daughter-in-law Ruth the Moabitess. They arrived in Bethlehem at ▪ Appeal … the beginning of the barley harvest. So here we have Ruth the Moabite outcast, needs to find favor so They have no food and no family, but they are right where they need that she can get the provision of food that she needs In the original … to be for what God is going to do language this word favor also means grace Ruth needed to find … … grace … Let’s pick up in Chapter 2 ● Apply: Isn’t that true for all of us??? … Ruth 2:1-22 Then Naomi answered her, “Go ahead, my daughter.” 3 So Ruth left 1 Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side. He was a and entered the field to gather grain behind the harvesters. She prominent man of noble character from Elimelech’s family. His name was Boaz. happened to be in the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who OK, so the author now introduces us to a new character in the story was from Elimelech’s family. … His name is Boaz And here’s what we know about him This is one of the most if not the most significant lines from the … … narrator throughout the whole book ● Prominent man of noble character … o He’s upstanding in the community and he’s wealthy It literally means as chance chanced This is very intentional from o He’s a man of substance and wealth … the author so that it grabs your attention You should sit up and be ● Boaz is from Elimelech’s family- This is going to be a very … like: wait a minute important element to the story that the author is letting us in … on … Example: My wife was making cookies and it just so happened that I And then the Author picks back up on the story in verse 2 was walking by the kitchen and so I grabbed one and ate it … … 2 Ruth the Moabitess [notice the label] asked Naomi, “Will you let me go into the fields and gather fallen grain behind someone with whom I find favor?” What’s happening here? 2 Bryan Loritts, sermon. Ruth 2. July 14, 2019. ● There was no accident about it I intentionally walked by the Hallmark move- really cute guy just happens to show up (had to pick … kitchen because I knew she was making cookies because I up my aunt’s cookies from the bakery), all the girl like oh my gosh, wanted one and dudes like really?!? … ● There was a deliberate nature behind what I did ● And both people are seeing someone who is a jerk … … ● And there’s nothing there, and everyone who’s watching is In the sarcasm, the Author is screaming, Look the hand of God at like- there should be! work here! ● The same hand that had sent the famine (1:1) and later Because the reality is there’s no hint of any romantic attraction provided food (1:6) is the hand that had brought Naomi and between Boaz and Ruth here in chapter 2 … Ruth to Bethlehem precisely at the beginning of the harvest (1:22), has now guided Ruth to that portion of the field What Boaz is doing is, he’s asking whose wife is this, whose daughter 3 belonging specifically to Boaz. is this, what Tribe does she belong to? Who cares for her???
Don’t miss this: Nothing happens by accident- nothing in this life is Remember family was everything for them back then- Family was the driven by shear fate means of provision, protection and care … …
We have an all-powerful, always present, all knowing God that is the The author brings us back around to one of the biggest problems that ruler of the universe and the Bible tells us that not one thing happens Naomi and Ruth are up against, and that’s they have no family They … that doesn’t fall under His rulership and that’s out of His control! have no one caring for them …
There’s a sovereign God that’s always working for the good of His And for the rest of the book the main question is going to be, who 4 people and the glory of His name does this woman belong to?? …
And here’s the thing, so many times when God is working in the most So, all of the attention we see the attention of the storyline change powerful and profound ways, it’s in the times where you feel like He’s from Naomi to Ruth … the most distant, and that He’s forgotten about you! Ruth shows us that God is ALWAYS working, even in the worst of So, Boaz asks whose woman is this and verse 6 The servant answered, times and even when you can’t see it! “She is the young Moabite woman who returned with Naomi from the territory of Moab. 7 She asked, ‘Will you let me gather fallen grain Let’s keep reading, look at verse 4: among the bundles behind the harvesters?’ She came and has been 4 Later, when Boaz arrived from Bethlehem, he said to the harvesters, on her feet since early morning, except that she rested a little in the “The Lord be with you.” “The Lord bless you,” they replied. shelter.” 5 Boaz asked his servant who was in charge of the harvesters, “Whose Again, we see the label given to Ruth, and ironically the Forman here young woman is this?” Which is Hebrew for: Who DAT Is?? For my knows Naomi’s name and references her, but makes no reference to more seasoned generations: PYT Kidding! the name of the young Moabite woman She’s a nobody in a … … foreign land with no one to care for her … 3 Block, D. I. (1999). Judges, Ruth (Vol. 6, pp. 653–654). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. 4 David Platt, sermon. Hope for the Hurting Part 2. Dec. 16, 2019. 8 Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Don’t go and gather reward from the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have grain in another field, and don’t leave this one, but stay here close to come for refuge.” my female servants. 9 See which field they are harvesting, and follow Then look at how Ruth responds again to Boaz … them. Haven’t I ordered the young men not to touch you? When you 13 “My lord,” she said, “I have found favor with you, for you have are thirsty, go and drink from the jars the young men have filled.” comforted and encouraged your servant, although I am not like one Boaz calls Ruth my daughter which is incredible Here’s why: It of your female servants.” … shows that he feels a genuine sense of responsibility for her even Remember the desire that Ruth expresses in verse 2 where she asked though she’s a Moabite Naomi if she could go into the fields and gather fallen grain behind … someone with whom I find favor - or grace? Like a loving father Boaz offers this foreigner his protection, his ● Because of the providence of God, she’s found what she set resources and his provision for her out for … … ● He tells her not to leave, but to continue to gather grain stay ● Don’t miss this, What Ruth needed was grace, she needed to in his fields and gather grain be given something that she didn’t deserve (that’s the … ● He orders none of the young men no to touch her definition of grace) … … ● And then he goes even farther by telling her to drink from the ● And God’s extended grace to Ruth through Boaz. jars that had been filled by the men o That’s important … … o In a cultural context in which normally foreigners would draw for Israelites, and women would draw for Then they go back to work But then the lunch bell is rung … … men Boaz’s authorization of Ruth to drink from water 14 At mealtime Boaz told her, “Come over here and have some bread 5 his men had drawn is incredible! and dip it in the vinegar sauce.” So she sat beside the harvesters, and he offered her roasted grain. She ate and was satisfied and had some And then look at how Ruth responds: left over. 10 She fell facedown, bowed to the ground, and said to him, “Why Fellas Real quick a few life lessons you to learn here when it comes … have I found favor with you, so that you notice me, although I am a to interaction with women This is from Uncle Mike- and not the … foreigner?” point of the text- this is a bonus for showing up today (ladies take … Again, we see reference to who Ruth is and where she comes from, note) this time it’s self-proclaimed She’s recognizes that she’s a foreigner, 1. Boaz was intentional to ask Ruth to eat an non-romantic meal … and alien that’s seemingly undeserving of this kind of favor 2. He asked her in person BE A MAN don’t text her … … … 3. Their first time hanging out was in the presence of other She’s in awe of the kindness that’s being given to her people … 11 Boaz answered her, “Everything you have done for your mother-in-law since your husband’s death has been fully reported to Ok, back to the story, the author is making a point here, this isn’t just me: how you left your father and mother and your native land, and a meal, and Boaz invites Ruth because he knows she’s hungry … how you came to a people you didn’t previously know. 12 May the Lord reward you for what you have done, and may you receive a full The author is intentional to show us that it’s more than this Boaz … took an ordinary occasion and transformed it into an incredible demonstration of compassion, generosity, and acceptance … 5 Block, D. I. (1999). Judges, Ruth (Vol. 6, p. 660). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. ● Boaz invites her to sit at the table with the rest of his 18 She picked up the grain and went into the town, where her workers He treats her like everyone else even though she’s mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. She brought out what she … a foreigner and a Moabite But then Boaz takes it a step had left over from her meal and gave it to her. … further Look at this, this is great Not only does Ruth have 30-50lbs of grain … … ● He’s the one that serves her food He’s the one that gets the she’s toting in, but she’s even got break in her pockets left over from … food and lays it before her! her lunch with Boaz and his squad!! ● And Boaz gives her enough food to satisfy her to the point where she even has some left over! She’s just overflowing with food!!! And Naomi’s beside herself! She’s so excited she can barely contain it! And again, remember the text doesn’t offer any hint of any romantic ● She’s like me on the opening day of deer season … attraction between Boaz and Ruth. ● She is geekin She initially wanted everyone to call her bitter, … ● Given the racial and social barriers that separated them, the but the tides turned now!! thought would not have crossed Ruth’s mind, and she could 19 Her mother-in-law said to her, “Where did you gather barley not have known that he was a kinsman of her deceased today, and where did you work? May the Lord bless the man who husband. noticed you.” ● And as it relates to Boaz, he is a good man, who was sent by She’s like where in the world did you get all of this?!? 6 God to show favor to Ruth. Now, we know where Ruth has been, but the author’s building the Verse 15: suspense of the scene here As we anticipate Ruth’s response, and … 15 When she got up to gather grain, Boaz ordered his young men, Naomi’s reaction to her response … “Let her even gather grain among the bundles, and don’t humiliate This is like this incredible giddy scene for both of these women … her. 16 Pull out some stalks from the bundles for her and leave them Because Ruth is just as excited by the fact that she just landed a gig for her to gather. Don’t rebuke her.” that will provide food for them in abundance … Boaz’s kindness continues to expand for Ruth Not only do we see … the continued provision in even a greater way as Boaz says to leave But what Ruth doesn’t know is the significance of the man who’s field more grain out for her, but we also see the continued protection that she just so happened to stumble on! … ● Boaz is going above and beyond anything Ruth could have Ruth told her mother-in-law whom she had worked with and said, asked or imagined “The name of the man I worked with today is Boaz.” … 17 So Ruth gathered grain in the field until evening. She beat out And then Naomi goes nuts!! what she had gathered, and it was about twenty-six quarts of barley. 20 Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May the Lord bless him Home girl crushed it! She brings in substantially more than what most because he has not abandoned his kindness to the living or the people bring in on a normal days work It’s around thirty to fifty dead.” Things have changed for Naomi sense the end of Chapter 1 . … … pounds! And then Naomi reveals to Ruth the significance and the secret of the And then we see the first form of Crossfit- As Ruth throws it over her man who’s field she’d been in … shoulder and heads into town which wasn’t a short walk Naomi continued, “The man is a close relative. He is one of our family … redeemers.” 6 Block, D. I. (1999). Judges, Ruth (Vol. 6, p. 667). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. And here it is: The Point of Chapter 2 is: The Provision of God And then look at verse 21: through the person of Boaz 21 Ruth the Moabitess [notice how the author put Moabitess in there- it’s almost as if it’s part of her name now- but I think this is in Let me unpack this for you and then show you what this means for there again as a reminder of the massive cultural distiction] So, you: … Ruth the Moabitess said, “He also told me, ‘Stay with my young men until they have finished all of my harvest.’ ” In verse 12 Boaz says this to Ruth: May the Lord reward you for what We don’t know if Ruth grasps the significance of what Naomi just told you have done, and may you receive a full reward from the Lord God her here, there is a good chance she didn’t, that it just went right over of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.” her head But what we do know is that Ruth is caught up in the … excitement in the way that she plays this And it’s here that Boaz introduces one of the most beautiful pictures … of divine care in all of Scripture. Giddy: Well He told me to stay until the end of the harvest!! Verse 22, and then Naomi’s mind starts scheming: He uses the imagery of a mother bird who offers her wings for the 22 So Naomi said to her daughter-in-law Ruth, “My daughter, it is protection of her defenseless young, as a picture of the loving care good for you to work with his female servants, so that nothing will and protection of the Lord: Yahweh! happen to you in another field.” ● Remember, Yahweh is the special name that He’s given to His UH, Yeah girl you need to roll with this! people that indicates and reminds them of His faithful love … Verse 23 Ruth stayed close to Boaz’s female servants and gathered grain until the barley and the wheat harvests were finished. And she And here’s the incredible reality of Chapter 2, what the authors been lived with her mother-in-law. showing us right before our eyes is that Ruth is experiencing the And that’s where we end the chapter And where we’re going to divine care and protection of God through Boaz … … stop for today … And none of this is happening by chance Ruth didn’t end up in his … And at this point the author leaves us wondering what’s going to field by accident … happen next?!? Ruth and Naomi have found a source for food, at least for this harvest season, but they still have no family What we’re seeing is the sovereignty and the providence of God as … ● Which means that their future is shaky and uncertain He’s orchestrated all of this together … … ● We know that Boaz is one of their family redeemers, but nothings come out of that at this point Ruth experiences incredible grace from Boaz: … ● So, what will become of Ruth and Naomi?? ● Provision for the field ● Provision for food That’s where we’ve landed, yet in the midst of that there is ● Provision of protection something that we need to see, something that the author has been ● Provision in the midst of her social position crafting from the very beginning, something that gives hope to this o She is a Moabite: the worst of the worst … seemly helpless situation ▪ Boaz’s grace is still extended to her … ● He goes above and beyond in every area This is radical! … Let me connect the dots for you: Remember I told you at the very You say, ok, I hear you but what does this mean for me and my life?? beginning that Ruth is ultimately a story about God …
Glance back with me to verse 20 to where Naomi says something Well what we see in Ruth Chapter 2 is the shadow of God through the incredible, right after Ruth tells her that she’s been in Boaz’s field, person of Boaz … Naomi says this: “May the Lord bless him because he has not abandoned his kindness to the living or the dead.” Naomi continued, See, like Naomi and Ruth we’re estranged, and we’re foreigners, “The man is a close relative. He is one of our family redeemers.” separated from the family of God because of sin …
Naomi says that God hasn’t abandoned His kindness Hesed We’re in desperate need of grace, provision and care Because on … … ● Used 246 times in the OT, and it’s a powerful word that wraps our own we’re hopeless! up in itself an entire cluster of concepts—love, mercy, grace, And yet in the midst of our sin, and in the midst of our rebellion, in kindness, goodness, benevolence, loyalty, and covenant the midst of our doubts, in the midst of our bad decisions, in the faithfulness The loyal love of God, unfailing kindness and midst of our shame, in the midst of our selfishness, in the midst of our … faithfulness that never shifts or changes. It’s absolute. hopelessness God has still been faithful … …
What you need to see in Naomi’s acknowledgement here, is this See, at just the right time God orchestrated the events of this world … so that you could experience the grace of a redeemer, and His name That is that even in the midst of everything that’s happened, the lack is Jesus … of trust in God and the willful decision to rebellion and leave the promised land moving to Moab, and in the taking of Moabite wives And he would come and do for you what you could never do for … yourself He would live life perfectly in your place meeting all of … In the midst of shaky faith, in the midst of bitterness and frustration God’s standards that you failed to meet, and then He would die in and the accusations made toward God your place, paying the penalty for the sin that you committed … …
In the midst of all of that, God has not abandoned His loyalty, His And then He would raise from the dead offering us restoration and love, His grace and His Mercy He has remained faithful redemption through His finished work! … …
And the way that God puts this on display is by extending to Naomi Here is the Point of Ruth 2 for you this morning: You and I and Ruth favor or grace from a family redeemer named Boaz experience the provision of God through the person of Jesus …
● A Family Redeemer was a relative who is responsible for the And in the same way that Boaz extended: economic well-being of a relative, and he comes into play ● Protection- safe from the wrath of God especially when the relative is in distress and cannot get ● Provision- Grace, hope 7 himself/herself out of the crisis. ● Care- unconditional love, acceptance ● Social position- regardless of who you are or where you come from or what you have done- if you are the lowest of low or 7 Block, D. I. (1999). Judges, Ruth (Vol. 6, p. 674). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. the highest of high- the ground is level at the foot of the cross and Jesus redeems back your identity, it’s now in Him … Call to respond/Pray You have the greatest provision that you need in Jesus … ● Some of you are looking for favor in all of the wrong places! ● Some of you need to see and remember the faithful love and kindness of God to make a provision for you through Jesus when you didn’t deserve it!
There’s one other application that I want to make from chapter 2: [VAMP] Do not doubt God’s heart when you can’t see His hand
There is nothing that’s out of God’s control, He is working even when you can’t see it …
Ruth and Naomi had no idea all that God was doing behind the scenes to bring about their good and His glory!
Know that you are not an accident- it’s not like God was like Oh man where did he come from? Where did she come from??
God knows you, He knows what you’re going through Remember … God worked through the greatest feat of pain through the cross to bring about His good and glory!
In may not be on this side of eternity that you see it but God is working His son’s life on the cross is proof … …
Example: Traveling somewhere with kids …
I feel like this can so many times be us …
But the story of Ruth should be one that gives us hope that even in the midst of sin, pain, and tragedy, God is at work and we can trust His heart even when we can’t see His hand!