Ruth 4:1-22
Sermon Nuggets Mon Sept 12
Verses Ruth 4
A couple came to me a number of years ago asking if I would consider doing their wedding. I told them we would have to get together for some pre-marital counseling probably at least 3 times. They were hesitant and then expressed their reasons. “We are not very religious. We are not really into that kind of thing. We don’t want any prayers, or Scripture, we want to write our own vows.” I asked why they want a Christian clergyman involved. What do you think they said?
“A church is a nice place to get married.” In other words it has traditional setting for love and beauty, not to mention the fact that it can comfortably seat guests and we have a place for reception.
Needless to say, I declined the invitation to perform the wedding. If they wanted to rent the building, that was another matter.
I read in Christianity Today a news item entitled, “Pastor Wanted for Wedding. No Religion Required.” This article was similar only describing weddings in Japan. Less than 2% are Christians, but more than 60% want a Christian wedding. There are not enough clergy in the country to perform the ceremonies. In fact they would rather have a Caucasian tourist officiating than a Japanese pastor. “It is of course, not a religious experience that people seek in a Christian style wedding, but to make a fashion statement.” Said one wedding company spokeswoman, ”Neither the participants nor venues actually want the ceremony to have religious meaning.”
Unfortunately there are people posing as clergy happy to accommodate the culture for the money. I have been criticized because some think I should just do whatever the community wants me to do as a good testimony to them. Now I realize I have the opportunity to share God’s view of love and marriage and instruct them in what the Bible says, praying the Holy Spirit can bring home the true message of love and salvation. But to say “I don’t want to hear it or have you say faith”seems hypocritical to want a church wedding.
God uses weddings to help us better illustrate his love.
There are lots of states debating the question presently as to what makes a legal marriage. There will be a reformation on the ballot in Minnesota next year on defining marriage being one man and one woman. I wonder how long before the national government will take over the state’s rights and continue with imposing ungodly values on the country.
Many celebrities defy laws and publicly marry their homosexual partner to take a stand against traditional marriage.
Love, as defined by the world, and love as exemplified by Jesus is different. It is not just what makes me happy, but am I willing to give my life for another. Ravi Zacharias shared how his brother decided to be married the old fashioned Indian way where he asked his parents to find him a bride. Ravi couldn’t believe it since they have lived in Toronto and became very accustomed to the Western ways of picking your own bride. He challenged his brother and wondered what if they didn’t like each other.
His brother looked at him and said "Write this down, and don't ever forget it: Love is as much a question of the will as it is of the emotion. And if you will to love somebody, you can.”
Why is the book of Ruth included in the cannon of Scriptures to begin with? Is it just a love story? Is it there to show the ancestry of the King David? Both are true, but it seems there is tremendous spiritual implication that is evident as we read its conclusion.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Tues Sept 13 Sovereignty
Verses- Ruth 4: 1 Meanwhile Boaz went up to the town gate and sat there. When the kinsman-redeemer he had mentioned came along, Boaz said, "Come over here, my friend, and sit down." So he went over and sat down.
2 Boaz took ten of the elders of the town and said, "Sit here," and they did so.
3 Then he said to the kinsman-redeemer, "Naomi, who has come back from Moab, is selling the piece of land that belonged to our brother Elimelech.
4 I thought I should bring the matter to your attention and suggest that you buy it in the presence of these seated here and in the presence of the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, do so. But if you will not, tell me, so I will know. For no one has the right to do it except you, and I am next in line." "I will redeem it," he said.
5 Then Boaz said, "On the day you buy the land from Naomi and from Ruth the Moabitess, you acquire the dead man's widow, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property."
6 At this, the kinsman-redeemer said, "Then I cannot redeem it because I might endanger my own estate. You redeem it yourself. I cannot do it."
The Story of God’s Sovereignty
The story of Ruth ultimately is the story of everyone. God can use the circumstances and situations that seem almost so difficult in our experience, to create something good if we take that step of faith and let Him have complete control in our lives. How could Ruth and Naomi dream of having anything good come from the death of their husbands. It is a loss, a tragedy. Yet from that experience Ruth was converted to worship the true God. God used this to show mercy and acceptance of the Gentiles for years to come.
We see how God led her to Boaz and worked out the details. We see how God provided for Ruth and Naomi. We see Gods’ protection, provision, and prophecy all wrapped up in what man calls coincidence, but we call sovereignty and rule of God.
We see this continue as Boaz goes early in the morning to the city gate. Again, the cultural custom was this was the gathering of the town elders who made legal decisions for the town of Bethlehem. We might today say they went to the town hall and met with the town supervisors who have some jurisdiction over Stanchfield.
These men at the gates would discuss religion, politics and government concern. People honored and respected their decisions. They would legislate if people couldn’t agree on something. The gathering at the city gates resulted in decisions regarding civic matters. What was about to occur is a public and open display of commitment.
Jesus also publicly declared his love to us, and desires that we publicly declare our commitment to him, and uses the wedding as an illustration of the public declaration of love.
Boaz wanted witnesses. He was looking for a binding legal transaction. He informed the man who remained nameless, of his right to purchase Naomi’s property in the name of Elimelech. No one else could do that until he was given that opportunity. To our dismay the kinsman says at the end of verse four, "I will redeem it."
We don't want him to redeem it. We want Boaz to do it. Just when we are about to say, "O no! Stop the story! Don't let this other fellow take Ruth!" Boaz says to the nearer kinsman, "You know, don't you, that Naomi has a daughter-in-law. So when you do the part of the kinsman redeemer you must also take her as your wife and raise up offspring in the name of her husband Mahlon?" Then, to our great relief, the kinsman says in verse 6 he can't do it. Maybe he felt that way because she was a gentile. Whatever the reason we are cheering in the background as Boaz gets the girl.
In our legal society we need contracts in black and white. The paper should be signed with witnesses whose names have been signed in front of a notary public a further witness.
I read in Time magazine a few years back of a lawyer who wrote a book called, “Oh Promise me, but put it in writing.” Love is fine, say the lawyer, but it is better with a contract. Paul Ashly suggest pre-marriage contracts, agreement that would be binding during marriage. It includes where the couple will live, who pays for what, even how many children they will have. Well, even love needs a lawyer to negotiate it, huh?
The contract Boaz made was binding if you took off a sandal in presence of all the leaders as a public witness that party of the first part is exempted from all prior promises and therefore the party of the second part can claim the right of being the kinsman redeemer, purchase the property and get the wife.
God leads throughout history in present time. He works through people who are open and willing to let him guide in their lives.
It’s the sovereignty of God that uses Ruth to prepare a King of Israel. He knew the beginning from the end. He had a plan for Ruth’s life. He had a plan for Naomi’s life, and he had a plan for Boaz’s life. It was an interesting combination- a stranger, a pagan, outside of the people of God to someone who is especially used for God’s redemptive history.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Weds Sept 14
Verses- 7 (Now in earlier times in Israel, for the redemption and transfer of property to become final, one party took off his sandal and gave it to the other. This was the method of legalizing transactions in Israel.)
8 So the kinsman-redeemer said to Boaz, "Buy it yourself." And he removed his sandal.
9 Then Boaz announced to the elders and all the people, "Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelech, Kilion and Mahlon.
10 I have also acquired Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon's widow, as my wife, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property, so that his name will not disappear from among his family or from the town records. Today you are witnesses!"
11 Then the elders and all those at the gate said, "We are witnesses. May the LORD make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you have standing in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem.
12 Through the offspring the LORD gives you by this young woman, may your family be like that of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah."
Story of God’s Redemption
Subway restaurants used to give out stamps when you made a purchase. We collected them and put them in a booklet. Then we would redeem these booklets and get a free sandwich. There was a coffee shop in Cambridge that used to do something similarly. They exchanged the card indicating past purchases for free goods or services. Last week we introduced the topic of a kinsman-redeemer. This becomes a picture, or type, of Jesus Christ redeeming us. There were some requirements for redemption to take place for Boaz to claim Ruth as his bride. First it was important that the person be a blood relative. So now we have a better appreciation that God had His son, Jesus, come to earth to be born of a woman to represent God to man and man to God. Christ became the incarnation that He might be the blood relative to redeem lost humanity.
Secondly, we saw Boaz was able to carry out the redemption for Ruth. Just so Christ was able. He had the price that was required to purchase the property. He was able meet the required price. 1 Peter 1:18-19 reminds us, “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”
Boaz did not have to redeem with his blood, but when it comes to redeeming sinners the righteous requirement was blood. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
A third requirement was Boaz had to be willing. Some people feel coerced into marriage. That might be the case with arranged marriages. The apostle Paul reminds us in our fallen nature we have been sold to the slavery of sin. Therefore all mankind is in need of a redeemer. The principle of redemption is to be bought back from the bondage of sin and freedom from its control.
Ruth was outside a pagan outside the fold, just like we are outside of God’s kingdom. Jesus paid the price for us to make us His own, just like Boaz did for Ruth. Jesus came to save sinners. Those that are well have no need of a physician, but he came to heal the sick. If you fall in that category of being apart of God He wants to heal you. He wants to turn in the stamps and redeem you and purchase you unto Himself.
Ruth submitted herself under the protection and name of Boaz. That is what is involved in our salvation. Ruth turned her back on the idols of Moab, and on the former life typified by sin, and darkness. She repenting of her way sand followed the ways of righteousness.
Eph 1:7,11, 14 ‘In him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of Gods’ grace.” “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with his will.” “Who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession to the praise of his glory.”
Christ is able to redeem.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Thurs Sept 15 –
Verses- Ruth 4:
11 Then the elders and all those at the gate said, "We are witnesses. May the LORD make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you have standing in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem.
12 Through the offspring the LORD gives you by this young woman, may your family be like that of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah."
13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. Then he went to her, and the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.
14 The women said to Naomi: "Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel!
15 He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth."
16 Then Naomi took the child, laid him in her lap and cared for him.
17 The women living there said, "Naomi has a son." And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.
18 This, then, is the family line of Perez: Perez was the father of Hezron,
19 Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab,
20 Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon,
21 Salmon the father of Boaz, Boaz the father of Obed,
22 Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David.
Story of God’s Blessing
I like the Jewish blessings. This is about as Jewish as you can get when after the people hear of the engagement and then the marriage of Boaz and Ruth they want them to receive many children. They want them to receive honor. They pray they will be known and famous for years to come.
What is the significance of being like Rachael and Leah? Who together built up the house of Israel. The idea is that these were the wives of Jacob. If you remember this part of the OT history where Rachael was the wife whom Jacob loved, and Leah was the wife who produced children. Together these sons became the foundations of the 12 tribes of Israel the very foundation of the people of God.
May you have children that will be just like Perez whom Tamar bore to Judah. What is that about? Parez was the son of Tamar and Judah, which were ancestors of Boaz. Parez had a large family. But Tamar was married before. She was widowed and had no children, so Judah became her redeemer-kinsman and God blessed their home. It was a marriage that was to provide for a brother’s widow and as blessed.
May God give you love and children and bless your relationship as kinsman redeemer just as he blessed the home of Judah and Tamar through they son Perez who just so happens is related to you.
There is something else we want to mention. Ruth for 10 years while she was married to Mahlon was barren. They had no children. Naomi had no offspring since her two sons died without children. Life has one curve after another and we never know what is around the corner. But God says the best is yet to come. We will have valleys and highlights. Some of our lows will be unbelievable. But the best is always yet to come.
Vs. 13 says, God decided to give a blessing to this new married couple. They conceived and had a child. Now the neighborhood women could say, "A son has been born to Naomi"? God gave the child. God smiled upon them. He is Sovereign. He is to prophetically fulfill this same position as redeemer, and now came their personal blessing. Naomi who wanted to be called bitter for life wasn’t worth living, now saw how God was putting together some of the puzzle pieces and she is grandma and has protection and care also under the household of Boaz. She was blessed with Ruth who was better than 7 sons, but that wasn’t enough, God also gave you grandkids. And they named him Obed, and just in case you don’t get it the book’s writer says by the way Obed is the father of Jesse, who is the father of David. Whom we find out later is the royal line the produces Jesus Christ also called the son of David.
The genealogies which mean not so much in our culture meant a lot to those who wanted to be sure Jesus fulfilled the prophecies and we see in the line two significant Gentile women,. Ruth and every earlier Rehab the Harlot. Converted people honored by God.
Well in most marriages there are also added blessings. It is enough to have a husband and a wife, but most families rejoice when there are children. Indeed the prayers of the people and the pronouncements of blessings came about. Here we are how many 1,000s years later talking the fame of Ruth and Boaz. They did become well know. The city of Bethlehem is the town blessed forever as the city of David, of Boaz of Jesus.
The blessings are many. The Lord turned the weeping into joy. With Christ not only comes our salvation, but blessings besides. I am not talking about the material benefits, though sometimes God does answer those prayers as he did for Naomi. I want to give an added blessing. You will have food, house, protection and kids. Do you have food housing protection and kids? Most do. Those are blessings.
But when Boaz took in Ruth to be his wife there was a witness also to the saving nature of God. It was witnessed by the elders at the gate. We are to be witnesses of Christ Redemption – Acts 1:8 - but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Fri Sept 16
Summary of Ruth
The story of God’s Grace
A story is told of a business man who was wanting to sell an old warehouse. The building had been empty for months and needed repairs. Vandals had damaged the doors, smashed the windows, and thrown trash all over the place. As he showed a prospective buyer the property, he said that he would replace the broken windows, bring in a crew to correct any structural damage, and clean out the garbage. The buyer said, "Forget about the repairs. When I buy this place, I’m going to build something completely different. I don’t want the building; I want the site."
That in the mind of Jesus when he willed to obey His Father and take on the sins of the world. There was a bigger picture fulfilled in Jesus. He demonstrated a love that could commitment to righteousness even to announce forgiveness to his tormentors. There is much that is taking place in the Old Testament that when Jesus comes, that makes sense now. It is this Old Testament love story which prepares the way to understand the commitment of love by Jesus to his bride- you and me. It is a commitment to God to righteousness and used of God as an illustration of marriage how it points us to a love commitment sanctioned from above in spite of the cultural differences.
We saw loyalty displayed. We looked in the second chapter at the non-romantic, romantic characteristics of the parties involved that are important for a future relationship: Humility, hard work, honesty, friendliness, fairness, compassion, generosity. Ruth was gleaning in the fields of Boaz and Boaz took notice of her kindness and hard work and gave instructions that she been protected and treated with extra kindness.
The third point looked at the courtship customs and introduced the concept of Kinsman redeemer which we will further develop today. In their desires to be husband and wife there was a major obstacle that stood in the way. Righteousness says there is someone else who has the priority of marrying her.
Benjamin Title said, “God help the man who won’t marry until he finds the perfect woman, and God help her more if he finds her. No marriage isn’t always the happily ever after story. It takes work, adjustment, and God’s blessings, which most ignore. God’s love is pure, but our response to Him needs continual adjustment.
That’s God’s message to us! God wants to redeem us and build in us the benefits of redemption.
My Redeemer is Faithful and True by Steven Curtis Chapman
As I look back on this road I’ve traveled.
I see so many times He carried me through.
If there’s one thing I know in my life,
My Redeemer is faithful and true.
My Redeemer is faithful and true.
Everything He has said He will do.
And every morning His mercies are new.
My Redeemer is faithful and true.
My heart rejoices when I read the promise.
There is a place I am preparing for you.
I know someday I’ll see my Lord face to face.
Cause my Redeemer is faithful and true.
In every situation He has proved His love for me.
When I lack the understanding He gives more grace to me.
My Redeemer is faithful and true.
Everything He has said He will do.
And every morning His mercies are new.
My Redeemer is faithful and true.
Pastor Dale
