Sermon Central
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Preparing To Meet The Master Series
Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Aug 6, 2020 (message contributor)
Summary: Much had changed since Naomi and Ruth left Moab for Bethlehem. Ruth had found favor in the eyes of Boaz, but yet she lacked security for the future. She made preparations for a meeting that would change her future.
Preparing to Meet the Master
We can’t begin to imagine the excitement Ruth and Naomi must’ve felt at this time. Moab had dealt very bitterly with them, leaving little hope for the future. Upon returning to Bethlehem, God had shown Himself mighty in their situation and was providentially caring for them.
Ruth found herself gleaning in the field of Boaz, where she found abundance and blessing. We don’t know exactly how much time had passed, but she had enjoyed several days in the field. The harvest was now ending and a time of anticipation was drawing near. Ruth had gotten acquainted with Boaz, but that is all it was as this point. Naomi knew the benefit of a relationship with Boaz and she wanted Ruth to prepare herself for a personal encounter with him.
Keep in mind that Boaz is a picture or type of our Lord. Certainly there is great benefit in meeting and knowing the Lord in a personal way. These verses reveal Ruth’s preparation to meet Boaz. I want to consider her preparations and the relevance it has for those who come to Christ as we think on: Preparing to Meet the Master.
I. The Purpose of the Meeting (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? We discover the purpose in meeting with Boaz centered upon rest. It implies much more than a physical rest after a hard day of labor. It speaks of “a resting place, a place of settled security and stability, a permanent home, a place of provision and protection.” Keep that in mind as we consider:
A. The Need for Rest – At this time the harvest was coming to an end. Ruth had been blessed to glean in the field of Boaz, but soon there would be no more grain to glean. She needed the assurance of rest, a place of provision and security for the weeks and months to come. They did not have enough to sustain them after the harvest had ended.
Many today are looking to this world to afford that rest. It seems as if they are doing quite well right now. They have all that they need as far as they can see. Most don’t consider that the harvest will soon be over and we will all stand before the Lord. All who have ever lived need the rest of Christ. Heb.4:9 – There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. [11] Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
B. The Nature of Rest – Keep in mind the principle of rest. It involves a home, a place of provision and protection. Ruth was a widow from Moab – a Gentile whom most would not even consider providing rest. Boaz was her only hope. He was the only one who could provide the rest that she so desperately needed. She needed a proposal of marriage from Boaz.
There are those today who need to understand the nature of rest. Sinners, like Ruth, need to find a place of provision, security, and stability. They need to find peace within their soul. Christ the Lord is the only one who has the ability to provide that rest. He is mankind’s only hope of rest and redemption. Apart from Christ there is no rest, only separation and condemnation.
II. The Potential of the Meeting (2a) – And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? As we’ve already considered, Boaz qualified as a kinsman redeemer. It would have done Ruth no good to depend upon one who could not redeem. Consider the significance of Boaz.
A. His Relationship – In order to qualify as a kinsman redeemer, the man had to be willing to redeem, but he also was required to be a kinsman. Boaz qualified as a near kinsman. Christ our Lord took on the form of a man, robed in a body of flesh. He came to this earth, living a perfect, sinless life as a Spirit filled Man. He has the right relationship to perform the part of our Redeemer. We can be accepted into the family of God because of our relationship to Christ.
B. His Resources – Boaz was a mighty man of wealth, Chp.2:1. The kinsman had to be willing, but he also had to be able. He had to possess the resources necessary to redeem the debt the needy party owed. Consider the debt we owed as sinners. We were separated from God, condemned in our sin, unable to achieve the righteous demands of a holy God. Had Christ not been willing to offer Himself as the Atonement for our sin, we would yet be without hope. He alone possessed what was necessary to purchase our redemption!
