Introduction: The story of Ruth is set during a harsh and bitter time in the history of the nation of Israel. It was a time ruled by interim governors or judges as the Scriptures call them. There was no King and there was no Prophet so the voice of God was heard only sporadically in the land. With no real voice of righteousness in the land “everybody did what was right in their own eyes.”
As it had happened many times before when the people sinned, God visited them with judgment, with wars and with famine. So it was in the time of Naomi and Elimelech, there was a famine in the land.
Like the nomadic people of the day, when things were not going well in the place where they were, they packed up their tents and moved to a better place. The only thing is Elimelech and Naomi lived in Bethlehem, a small village in the land of promise and rather than wait for the blessings of God, they moved to a less than desirable place.
Taking their two young sons, Mahlon and Chilion, the couple moved to Moab and settled there. For a while, things seemed to be going well but then Elimelech died and Naomi was left to bring up her two boys alone.
Like any single mother, Naomi did what she had to do to bring up her young sons. She must have been proud mother when they found wives among the Moabitess women. But good times would not last forever. After about ten years in Moab, both boys passed away. Whether it was through sickness or war, we are never told!
For a while Naomi stayed in Moab, comforted by her two widowed daughters-in-law who loved her very much. One day when Naomi heard that God had once again visited his people by providing food, she decided to go back to Bethlehem taking the women with her.
On the way, Naomi reconsidered and told her daughters-in-law to go back to their family because she had nothing to offer. She was old and even if she did have more sons, would they wait until the boys were grown? At first Orpah refused to go back but after Naomi’s insistence, she bade farewell and headed back to her people. Orpah fades out of the story and we never hear about her again.
Ruth, on the other hand, clings to her mother-in-law. “Don’t ask me to leave you,” she tells Naomi; “don’t ask me to turn back from following you because wherever you are going I will go; your people shall be my people and your God, my God.” She continues by saying to Naomi, “Where you die I will die and be buried, and may the Lord do to me severely if anything but death parts you and me.”
When Naomi sees the determination of this young woman, she relents and together both women make their way back to Bethlehem.
And so begins the story of Ruth! It is one of the most beloved accounts in the Old Testament. It is a story of love, devotion and loyalty; a story of redemption and the favor of God. Ruth begins her journey as a gentile woman who comes into the promise of God and becomes famous in Bethlehem. Along the way she finds a husband who covers her with his love and kindness.
MAIN POINTS
1. The story of Ruth is a Love Story. (Music: Where do I begin?)
A. Every one desires to have a love story
- It is the innate desire of every heart – to love and be loved
- Young women dream of their night in shining armor
- Young men look forward to finding the girl of their dreams
B. The original love story (between a man and a woman) began in the garden of Eden
- It began when God placed Even in front of Adam
- He exclaimed: “She is bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh!”
- It was the first incident of “love at first sight.”
C. Ruth expected more out of life and she set out to get it
- Ruth experienced hardship in her life.
- She was born into a family that was outside of the promise of God
- She found a husband among the people of God but they were in no shape to help her
- Her father-in law died (his name meant “God is my King”)
- Her husband died…her brother-in-law died (Mahlon: Joy / song. Chilion: perfection / Peace)
D. Ruth desired to find “favor.”
- “Please let me go to the fields, and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight, I may find favor.” Ruth 2:2
- We desire to find favor in the eyes of someone who has something to give.
- Ruth set her sights higher than herself, but she did not lower her standards to attain her goal
- Boaz was a “rich man” who could give Ruth what she wanted
APPLICATION: Ruth did not have to “put out” to find true love…true love waited for her!
She kept her testimony and she found a man who was worthy of her love!
Boaz also proved that he was an honorable man and he took Ruth on her reputation - “…it has been fully reported to me, all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you left your father and mother, and the land of your birth and have come to a people you did not know.” 2:11
2. The story of Ruth is about the Favor of God
A. Ruth found favor not only with Boaz – she found favor with God
- “The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the God of Israel under whose wings you have come for refuge.” 2:12
-There is no doubt that Ruth was seeking the favor of God.
- She chose the God of Naomi when she said: “Your people shall be my people and your God my God.” 1:16b
- It was a step of faith…a leap into the unknown
- Naomi’s family did not live their testimony but it was more than she had
- she embraced the God of Israel because she wanted favor
B. Favor is the grace and mercy of a beneficent God
- “His favor is for life…” Psalm 30:5
- “You have granted me life and favor and Your care has preserved my spirit.” Job 10:12
- When life seems to be against you and your cares are pressing you down.
- When you feel that you must have a “boy friend / girlfriend” because “nobody cares…”
- God cares!
- When you feel the need to be validated…the need for significance
- God says that you are the apple of His eyes!
C. Favor is not based on who the benefactor is…
- It is based on who you are!
- That’s the reason why “favor” is an uncommon thing
- That’s the reason why people need to “find favor.”
APPLICATION: Young men and women today should seek the favor of God rather than the approval of their peers.
God is looking for holiness and righteousness in His children.
God is looking for those who are willing to stay pure and true…it is upon them He will bestow His favor
“Flee youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 2:22
3. The story of Ruth is a story about Relationships
A. Life is about relationships
-We either have good relationships or bad ones
- It is all in the choices we make
- People have bad relationship not because of who they are but because of the choices they make
- People have bad relationships because of error in judgment
- Young people err in their judgment because their values are influenced by a corrupt culture
- They fall in love because of how someone looks rather than by the content of their character
B. In relationships everyone brings something to the table
- We must seek relationships with people who will add value to what we bring
- Ruth brought with her brokenness a desire for something better
- Boaz offered her satisfaction: “Let you eyes be on the field which they reap and go after them…And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink what the young men have drawn.” 2:9
-APPL: The Lord wants to offer satisfaction to your thirst souls (ref: John 4 – the woman at the well)
- Boaz offered refuge: “The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the God of Israel under whose wings you have come for refuge.” 2:12
- When the time comes you will need someone who will give you refuge when the storms come
- “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress…in Him I will trust…”
- Boaz offered her security: “My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you?” 3:1
- Ruth offered her loyalty and devotion: evidenced in her relationship to Naomi
- Ruth offered her industriousness and willingness to work for what she wanted: “…She came and has continued from morning until now…” 2:7
Ruth brought her good reputation and her virtue: “all the people of the town know that you are a virtuous woman.”
4. The story of Ruth is a story of Redemption
A. God is a God of second chances
- Both Ruth and Naomi found a second chance with the God of Israel
- The came back to Bethlehem with nothing
- Naomi ( pleasant) says: “ call me Mara (bitterness), for the Almighty has dealt bitterly with me. I went out full and the Lord has brought me home again empty.”
- Ruth says: I have nothing to lose so where you go, I’m going too
B. Ruth finds in Boaz a kinsman redeemer ( a close relative)
“Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative.” 3:9
-“Spread therefore thy skirt over your handmaid, because you are a kinsman.” (KJV) – A picture of Jesus and His covering.
- The Law of the kinsman (Deuteronomy 25:5-10)
- If a man dies with no heir, his brother will marry his widow so that an heir can be raised / this also applied to the purchase of property
- Refusing was done by removing the shoe from one’s foot and giving it to the elders
- Boaz is not first in line to redeem Naomi’s property – there is a nearer kinsman
-Boaz approaches him about redeeming Naomi’s property
- “And I thought to inform you saying, ‘Buy it back in the presence of the inhabitants and the elders of my people. If you will redeem it; redeem it, then tell me that I may know; for there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am next after you.” 4:4
C. Boaz redeems Ruth and she becomes his wife
- Ruth a gentile woman becomes an heir in the promise of God
- The witnesses prophesy on her that day: “May you prosper in Ephratah and be famous in Bethlehem.” 4:11
- Ruth gives birth to Obed who was the father of Jesse, who was the father of David.
- Out of David’s royal line the Messiah comes.
APPLICATION:
True love waits for those who are willing to wait
It is easy to let down your guard and destroy your reputation
God is a God of second chances and He has provided a near kinsman (Jesus)
God has the ability to build a hedge around you
God has placed within you a hope and a future
