A Love Story- Commitment Ruth 4

Ruth 4:1-22

Sermon Nuggets Mon Sept 12

Verses Ruth 4

A Love Story of Commitment

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

A Love Story- Courtship Ruth 3

Sermon Nuggets Monday Sept 5 A Love Story -Courtship

Ruth 3:1 One day Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, should I not try to find a home for you, where you will be well provided for?

2 Is not Boaz, with whose servant girls you have been, a kinsman of ours? Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor.

3 Wash and perfume yourself, and put on your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don't let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking.

Considering Courtship

I often find it interesting how couples meet. Some of you might remember that Judi and I met at a wedding. I was the groomsman that escorted this beautiful bridesmaid down the aisle. The first time I ever saw her was the night before we were having sandwiches at the home of the mother of the bride, a mutual friend of ours, and here came Judi down stairs with her hair in curlers wanting to look good for the rehearsal I guess.

Following the wedding another couple we knew was supposed to give Judi a ride back from Rochester, Minnesota to St. Paul where she lived. Instead, they said they would be delayed and wondered if I could give her a lift home. I thought about it long and hard and 5 seconds later said, “Sure”. Three years later that couple stood up for us at our wedding. Those three years of courtship were surrounded with my starting a new job as youth pastor, with finishing up seminary, taking a year of Clinical Pastoral Education and living on the other side of the Twin Cities making some late nights when I got home to Robbinsdale from east side St. Paul. We talked, we thought, we prayed and came to the conclusion that this was of the Lord.

One girl was excitingly showing off her engagement ring and heard to say, “I don’t know whether I am able to stand a long engagement, sometimes I can barely keep from correcting Wilbur’s faults.”

Courtship has changed from the day of chaperones going along on dates, to the social pressure that some kids have to date a special love of their life in elementary school. Yet the time when a couple gets serious is an important period to look at personality, goals, values, faith, as well as the practicalities of how a couple gets along.

Attraction for another is certainly no reason to commit one’s life to another in marriage for physical attraction gives way to more important characteristics in life.

As we continue in the book of Ruth we see God working to provide a story of a redeemer through the story of Ruth and Boaz. This Gentile woman also becomes part of the genealogy of the Messiah chosen of God. Naomi was seeking to find a husband for her daughter-in-law to be sure she is provided for and protected. It is practical reasons for a young woman to marry. But God uses our experiences in life so show His Sovereignty and glory. God uses the courtship of Ruth and Boaz to introduce us to the concept of a redeemer, as God shows the extent of His love to us.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues Sept 6 Customs

Ruth 3: 4 When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do."

5 "I will do whatever you say," Ruth answered.

6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do.

7 When Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he went over to lie down at the far end of the grain pile. Ruth approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down.

8 In the middle of the night something startled the man, and he turned and discovered a woman lying at his feet.

9 "Who are you?" he asked. "I am your servant Ruth," she said. "Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer."

Considering Customs

Immediately we see some unusual practices that do not take place in our culture. It would be highly improper for my mother to call my father on the telephone before they were married to initiate a date. It was always the man that took the initiative. In the day of Boaz and Ruth for a woman to take an initiative like Ruth did is very uncommon, but there are some cultural reasons for that.

First they followed an Old Testament custom of a Levirate marriage where the widow could initiate a desire for a close relative of the deceased to take her as his wife for care and protection. It was almost unheard of for a woman not to be married.

Men could be single for many years, but since a woman found value in childbearing and the more kids the better, she often married young. Naomi is concerned that Ruth be provided a home and security and at first didn’t think this was possible because she came from a different country. However, after Ruth made the Lord God Jehovah her God and accepted and followed the customs of Israelites, the racial question was no longer an issue. Boaz was the kinsman, the Hebrew word Goel.

Goel is one who fulfills one’s obligations as a redeemer. If times were hard and money short a man could part with his land, but there was always right and duty of redemption, which allowed one to buy back the land when times were better. Since Elemilech had land in Bethlehem he would also have the right to buy it back. But he died in Moab. That meant a near kinsman could pay for it and claim it back for the deceased in his name and for his honor. He could also marry the widow if she asked him and children would carry on the name of the deceased. The man could refuse.

So when Naomi found out Boaz was a distant relative the wheels of being a matchmaker started turning. There were some problems. 1) Boaz was not the nearest of kin, only she didn’t know that. 2) Naomi had the rights before Ruth did. 3) Boaz was older. Why would she want him for her husband? So it was her plan to cause this rendezvous that implied Ruth will fulfill the obligation. Since Naomi was making this intimate move it was showing that Ruth would like to have Boaz as her husband, age was not a problem.

A match maker was part of the Hebrew culture. Such a one sets up arrangements for potential mates. Some of you might remember the delightful play “Fiddler on the Roof” where Tevye has 5 daughters to marry off. The 3 oldest girls are hoping the matchmaker will make them a match. They sing, “Find me a find, catch me a catch. Look in your book and make me a perfect match. For papa make him a scholar for mamma make him rich as a King, for me, well, I wouldn’t holler if he were as handsome as anything. Matchmaker, Matchmaker I’ll bring the veil. You bring the groom slender and pale, Bring me a ring for I’m longing to be the envy of all I see.”

Well the woman looks over the choices and find one man who is 62 and another who is fat and short of temper and drunk – explaining that with no dowry, no money no family background they lucky she can even find a man. Well that changes their turn. They sing, “Match maker, matchmaker, you know that I’m still very young please take your time. Up until this time I misunderstood. I could get stuck for good. Maybe I’ve learned that playing with mates a girl can get burned.”

The problem with courtship is that unless one takes it very carefully many do get burned when you get married for the wrong reasons and to the wrong people.

One girls told her boyfriend that she wished he were like a huge rock. “What do you mean?” “A little bolder”

Ruth took a bold step to introduce the relationship to a new level of courtship. It wasn’t the custom but how Naomi went about it was, to follow the rights of a redeemer-kinsman. Ruth does not pursue an illicit relationship, but makes her request for companionship. Ruth tells Boaz right away why she came, lest he misunderstands.

Fornication was wrong in the Old Testament (Lev. 19:29; Deut. 21:13-21) just as in the New Testament (Mt. 15:19).She was trying to claim her rights as a young widow in respect to her departed husband

Boaz delights in seeing the faith in Ruth and shows her kindness as well a protection. Now the question comes, she desires him to be her companion. Will he fulfill that role for her?

Ezekiel 16:8 talks about the Lord taking Jerusalem and like bridegroom put his cloak over her. In our culture it might make more sense to give an engagement ring.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds Sept 7 Culture

Verses-Ruth 3: 7 When Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he went over to lie down at the far end of the grain pile. Ruth approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down.

8 In the middle of the night something startled the man, and he turned and discovered a woman lying at his feet.

9 "Who are you?" he asked. "I am your servant Ruth," she said. "Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer."

10 "The LORD bless you, my daughter," he replied. "This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor.

11 And now, my daughter, don't be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character.

12 Although it is true that I am near of kin, there is a kinsman-redeemer nearer than I.

13 Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to redeem, good; let him redeem. But if he is not willing, as surely as the LORD lives I will do it. Lie here until morning."

Consider Culture

Courtship is cultural. I was surprised about mail order brides in Japan and Korea. In India the parents make arrangements and you may not see your spouse until the day of your wedding. There was an African student a Bethel who looked with suspicion of the American system of dating. He thought we are more concerned about emotion feeling, which does not make a good mate. In his tribe of Africa the parents are concerned for the welfare of their child and will pick someone who will be good for them because they don’t want their son or daughter to get hurt. They choose wisely.

I’m not so sure with all the expectations placed on young people today they appropriately handle all the temptations of dating without thinking about honoring God.

The average marrying age is getting younger than it used to be for first marriages. There are lots more second marriages than ever before. As you know in the news the whole institution of marriage is under attack as thousands of homosexual couples have gotten married. Many states have voted to define marriage is between one man and one woman, or you have changed the institution and morals of a relationship. Marriage as well as any “courtship” are under attack. The problem we have as Christians is to look a the Word of God and discover what is beyond culture and custom. What includes culture and custom and keep the principles and laws of the Lord?

There is no indication of dating in the Bible. Does that make is wrong? There are arranged marriages in the Bible. Does that mean we all should have arranged marriages? I was asked recently about the many wives the patriarchs of Scripture had. When does culture conflict with the perfect plan of God?

Marriage is instituted of God. The practices of how one marries certainly can be cultural and changes from area to area. Living together and having intercourse outside of marriage is not a cultural issue, it is sin against God and others. Some things do not change as cultural changes. Being faithful to your spouse is a Biblical directive and command. Regardless of how our culture changes Christians have a higher authority.

Someone said, There tends to be too much romance before marriage and not enough after marriage. Go into marriage with eyes wide open and after the wedding with eyes half closed. In our day it is important to look at background and value similarities. One looks at how compatible they are in philosophy of raising children, money management, working outside the home, career, education. We try to look at resolving differences, and respect and honor in a relationship. There is the big no no word, submission. If people aren’t willing to submit their own desires for the best of the family then don’t get married.

Naomi is concerned that Ruth have security. She is concerned about protection and like any Grandmother wouldn’t mind having some grandkids to boot as according to the law any children she had would be carrying on the clan of Elemelich.

She gives some advice to Ruth. Dress up look nice and use perfume. Make yourself attractive to Boaz. This almost sounds deceiving, doesn’t it? Our society is well familiar with how beauty and attractiveness sells products. We know that one seeks to look their best if they want to interest a guy. I don’t doubt Naomi’s motives. She had a strategy of wanting to do right with Ruth in presenting her to the kinsman-redeemer. I am not sure I agree with the techniques. I don’t mean to dress nicely, but to wait until he is well fed and asleep to sneak into his room in darkness and take his cues.

What’s up with Naomi’s advice to Ruth? Yes, look nice and the psychology of presenting yourself when the guy is well fed is probably a good idea. But I’m not sure about this late night private rendezvous. It is true that he would pretty much have to take her as his wife if they got intimate, but there are other interpretations.

Some think it is a way of asking to be married. Some think to uncover the feet is so he’ll wake up gradually because his feet get cold. Some think it is a symbol of submission to him as a willing and ready servant. Some think it refers to the verse in the previous chapter of being under the wing of the Lord, now wanting to also be under the garment, or protection, of this man.

It meant something in that culture which maybe we might now understand. But what is clear is that Ruth is being presented by Naomi and this can be the initiation of requesting a proposal for marriage. There are other cultural rule that must be followed first. Those laws of the land are used as a picture of Jesus and the church in a symbolic way.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs Sept 8 - Companionship

Verses- Ruth 3: 10 "The LORD bless you, my daughter," he replied. "This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor.11 And now, my daughter, don't be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character.

12 Although it is true that I am near of kin, there is a kinsman-redeemer nearer than I.

13 Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to redeem, good; let him redeem. But if he is not willing, as surely as the LORD lives I will do it. Lie here until morning."

14 So she lay at his feet until morning, but got up before anyone could be recognized; and he said, "Don't let it be known that a woman came to the threshing floor."

15 He also said, "Bring me the shawl you are wearing and hold it out." When she did so, he poured into it six measures of barley and put it on her. Then he went back to town.

16 When Ruth came to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked, "How did it go, my daughter?" Then she told her everything Boaz had done for her

17 and added, "He gave me these six measures of barley, saying, 'Don't go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.'"

18 Then Naomi said, "Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today."

Considering Companionship

One of the greatest inventions of God is marriage. It is also one of the most challenging relationships one can have. We see from Genesis that the companionship that Adam had with God was special, but when it came to the work on earth there was no helpmate for him. He was lonely. In God’s wisdom he created woman and the marvelous statement is “she is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh. She shall be called woman for she was taken out of man. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and they will become one flesh.”

This design was for companionship in work, in worship, in pleasure, in raising a family. Perhaps that is one reason why many Christians rise up against the attack on marriage by the gay community by wanting to change the Biblical definition. Friends are important, no matter who they are, but God did design a special relationship between man and woman and their commitment to one another.

This is not to say everyone is to be married. God has a place for single people. The Bible also speaks of that. But it is easier in our day to be single than it was in the day. There were no economic privileges to a woman. There were very little career opportunities. They were not allowed to own and purchase property or hold contracts.

When Boaz recognizes he is not the closest relative to honor the cultural pledge of marrying Ruth he affirmed he would do what was required and desired to have Ruth to be his wife. He would seek to take the role of redeemer, protector.

My mother used to go collect S&H green stamps. They were given out at various stores when purchases were made. One of my tasks was to stick the stamps in redemption books. Then we’d go to a redemption center. There were pictures of things you could get for so many books. I don’t remember all that she got, but I remember a toaster, and a coffee pot which were for free as we had enough stamps to trade them in.

We don’t have redemption centers any more, but the point is that a redeemer is someone who trades something for what they wish to have. To redeem is to move from something lesser to something greater – to pay what is required to get something of value.

To redeem is paying-off someone’s debt – or buying someone from slavery so they can be free. This is a type of Christ as the redeemer kinsman fulfills the requirements. To redeems an inheritance the person must be a kinsman and willing. Christ coming from Bethlehem, near kinsman (Heb 2:14-17 “since the children have flesh and blood. He too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death and free those who all their lives were held in slavery." He was willing to redeem us. He desires our companionship. He bought us with a price to redeem us unto Himself.

The companionship Boaz wanted was a pure and righteous one, not a sexual relationship to see if it would work or not out of personal pleasure and lust. He didn’t want to ruin reputation by having anyone know that Ruth had been to the threshing floor. Nothing had happened that was improper, but since when do the facts matter to gossipers?

Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks upon the heart. It would go well for young people to take time to see the heart of the one who wish to marry. Look at the communication of character and morals, of faith and respect as well as honor. Share what is on your heart and seek to understand one another.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri Sept 9 Circumstances

Verses: Ruth 3: 16 When Ruth came to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked, "How did it go, my daughter?" Then she told her everything Boaz had done for her

17 and added, "He gave me these six measures of barley, saying, 'Don't go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.'"

18 Then Naomi said, "Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today."

Considering Circumstances.

God arranges circumstances beyond our control. God certainly worked out the circumstances that they met. Ruth just happened to come to his property to work. There are no words for coincidence or luck in the Bible. They happed to show interest in one another, He happened to be the kinsman who could redeemer Ruth. Realizing that some things are means to another we are delighted to see the sovereignty of God working. We are willing to accept them and certainly the attitude of Boaz is if it is agreeable with the kinsman then he must do what is right. You do what you can and you leave the rest up to God. He will work out the circumstances to have His will. That gives us as Christians tremendous assurance.

Naomi knew there was a time to move and a time to sit still. When we have done our part then it is time to sit and wait on the Lord. There is a time of rest when labors are over. They were going to leave the details up to God.

I have heard many people speak of a death of a vision. That is where you have a vision, do the work to achieve that vision and then it seems blocked. “Okay God if it is really of you then do your work to accomplish this.” Maybe this is a blessing in disguise and God has something different or better. Or this might be nothing but headaches and instead of glorifying the Lord that will cause difficulties within the community.

Billy Graham wrote of his engagement to another woman. He loved her and was willing to do anything for her. Emily Cavanaugh was 20 year old student at Florida Bible School. He loved her from the moment he saw her. She had “sparkling personality, intelligent, musical, same faith, vivacious, dedicated partner at tennis, and worked together for youth and became engaged. Later that year she began to have doubts. At a social it was customary for boys to send corsages to girls they liked. Billy decided to send a more expensive one because he wanted the best for Emily. During the party she did not wear it and asked to talk to him. “I don’t think you’re the man for me, Bill” He replied, “You know that I love you. I thought that you loved me. We’ve been spending an awful lot of time together. I’m sorry I thought you cared for me”

“I do. I’m very fond of you, but not that way. The truth is I don‘t think you’re ready to get serious with any girl. You’re a drifter. You’re irresponsible. I’ve listened to you talk and I don’t see anything in your plans as of this time, of a clear Christian purpose. An evangelist? What kind of life is that? Would you expect your wife to be traveling with you all the time? What kind of home life would you have? How could you expect to raise children? No I want more security than that.”

Graham was dejected and discouraged and wanted to quit. The realization that emotion of love is one thing, but hard look at her values and circumstances of the situation said what a minute this just isn’t right. Lets break off the engagement.

His friend gave him that verse. “All this works together for good to those who love God and are called according to his purposes.” Rom 8:128 That was it.

Through the circumstances God was trying to teach him to trust him not his emotions. He knows best. There would be someone more fitting to his call. Well, Ruth Bell had her reservations also because she believed God wanted her to be a missionary to China. But in the biography we read how God affirmed their marriage 4 years later while they attended Wheaton College. When God saw the time and person was right.

We will see how the circumstances work out for Ruth and Boaz. There is hope. For it is Boaz and Ruth who become the grandparents of king David – and also the human forefathers of Jesus the Messiah – the Redeemer of the world. It is through the union of Ruth and Boaz that God eventually brings redemption to the world.

Pastor Dale

Romance Ruth 2

Sermon Nuggets week of Aug 29 Romance

Verses Ruth 2: 1 Now Naomi had a relative on her husband's side, from the clan of Elimelech, a man of standing, whose name was Boaz.

2 And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, "Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor." Naomi said to her, "Go ahead, my daughter."

3 So she went out and began to glean in the fields behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she found herself working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelech.

4 Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters, "The LORD be with you!" "The LORD bless you!" they called back.

5 Boaz asked the foreman of his harvesters, "Whose young woman is that?"

6 The foreman replied, "She is the Moabitess who came back from Moab with Naomi.

A Love Story- Romance

Last week we began a series on love as revealed in the characters of the book of Ruth. We talked about loyalty and how it was demonstrated in commitment, choice, and caring. Ruth and Naomi had those qualities when it came to their husbands and when it came to their love for God. We saw in chapter 1 how a man named Elimelech and his family left their home in Bethlehem to go to Moab because of a famine. Elimelech and his two sons die while in Moab, and the widow Naomi is left all alone with her two daughters-in-law.

Naomi decided to return to her home when she had heard they had food again. Her life in Moab had become hard, and so she sought more comfort and left for her homeland. So far everyone is looking for greener pastures. What about Orpah? She too eventually returned to Moab because she realized her life in Judah with Naomi would not be easy and she preferred her chances of security with a husband even though it meant going back to her pagan gods instead of the faith in the Lord God. Ruth on the other had gave up everything to stay with her mother-in-law. She intentionally went into a harder situation. She left comfort. She gave up family and friends, with no promise of a future. Why? I suspect it was out of love for Naomi and commitment to her God. Unfortunately Naomi’s grief was blocking her ability to see God’s work, His sovereignty, and His gracious providence. But I suspect that happens in our lives as well when things go badly for us. We look sight of the larger picture because we don’t see the future very well. Faith is trusting in God’s providence and believing he will bring good out of it one way or another. God lifts the famine and opens a way home for Naomi. He gives her an amazingly devoted and loving daughter-in-law to accompany her. And preserves a kinsman of Naomi's husband who will some day marry Ruth and preserve Naomi's line. But Naomi sees none of this.

Well I want to continue and look a bit a another aspect of love, it is romance. Our culture loves love stories, however I think it is so taken by lusts it confuses love for sex.

Here is a true letter to Dear Abby. “Dear Abby. I am a 23 years old liberated woman who has been on the pill for two years. It’s getting expensive and I think my boy friend should share half the cost, but I don’t know him well enough to discuss money with him. Do you have any advice?”

Unfortunately many couples fail to see is that those who do live together before marriage have a vastly greater chance for divorce for a number of reasons. One is that when you are strong to your convictions you stick it out longer in your commitment to marriage than leaving. Shallow convictions regarding marriage gives shallow commitment to another for life.

Another is a person more apt to live together before marriage is more apt to have an affair because there is less importance on morals and values of marriage. Another is that some find to have intimate relationship with someone who is not their spouse to be sexually stimulating and after marriage with society sanctioning it, there is a reduction in arousal unless they start cheating. God’s word is truth and His ways are best.

What I would like to address this week are some unromantic romantic ideas. Character has a lot to do with what really makes up a special relationship whether in marriage or in family life, church, and so forth.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues Aug 30 Character

Verses: Ruth 2: 7 She said, 'Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves behind the harvesters.' She went into the field and has worked steadily from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter."

10 At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She exclaimed, "Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me-- a foreigner?"

13 "May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord," she said. "You have given me comfort and have spoken kindly to your servant-- though I do not have the standing of one of your servant girls."

17 So Ruth gleaned in the field until evening. Then she threshed the barley she had gathered, and it amounted to about an ephah.

18 She carried it back to town, and her mother-in-law saw how much she had gathered. Ruth also brought out and gave her what she had left over after she had eaten enough.

The Character of the WOMAN-

There are some traits about Ruth that captures the attention of Boaz, the bachelor. You have heard it said that there is one kind of girl guys like to date and a different kind of girl guys like to marry. Certainly I will not say that physical attraction has no place, but it is different from sexual attraction. Nowhere do I read there was love at first sight. But she caught his attention when Ruth was gleaning barley in the fields.

We talked about her loyalty, so I won’t say a lot more about that. But in addition to loyalty to her Mother-in-law she also showed respect which is an equally important ingredient to making a relationship work. One of the commands is “Honor your father and your mother that your days may be long.”

If you are young man and you are considering a girl as a possible mate, observe her attitude toward her mother? Is she kind, gracious, respectful toward her mother? Or is she discourteous, unkind, and rude? What about the fellow? How does he treat his father? Watch the way one acts toward his parents for it is often a reflection in other relationships in life at home. People act one way in public and with friend than they do with family. For can be disrespectful to his parent but act gracious toward others. But if you have someone who respects and treats his or her family well, then that is often how he or she will deal with his own family in the future.

The Ruth impressed Boaz foreman by being industrious. V. 7 She went into t he field and has worked steadily from morning till now, except for a short rest.” Also notice v. 17 she gleaned in the field until evening, but then her job wasn’t done. She threshed the barley she had gathered and carried it back to town. She was a good, hard, worker. I thank the Lord for families that teach their kids to work and not to be afraid of it. It is important to learn responsibility from a young age. Ruth worked hard in the fields. It is hot, and back breaking. But to get food for herself and Naomi she was willing to work and do her best.

One thing I don’t understand is people who do not have work and little money refuse jobs that are available because they feel it is beneath them, or the work didn’t suit them, or the pay wasn’t what they thought they deserved.

We need to support our loved ones. Some jobs don’t pay enough, but having something is better than nothing until something else opens up. There is great value if someone is able bodied to be independent by their work and put some pride into it. Many women work very hard and may not get paid for it. Lots of housewives cook meals, wash clothes, take care of shopping for the family, make lunches, make beds, can, freeze food, and clean house, raise children, help with the chores. Love is expressed by hands that are working to provide the needs. The Bible says, “Do what your hand finds to do.”

Prov 32 talks bout a virtuous woman as a good wife. Reread that and you’ll find one willing to work with hands, get bargains, buy and sell land, provide for her family getting up early. It says she does not eat the bread of idleness.

Ruth is humble she bowed down with her face to the ground v 10 She wasn’t haughty. She wasn’t proud. She was humble in her attitude. She says of herself in v 13 that she doesn’t even have the standing of the servant girls so why is she being treated so nicely?

Related to humility is thankfulness. She appreciated what was done. She saw the need in others and was thankful in little things. How important is that word is in marriage? Thank you. Do you ever thank your mate for all they do? For task around the house? One man was upset and said, “Why should I say thanks? She never thanks me for going to work. It is part of the responsibility that doesn’t deserve thanks. “

When we take the various tasks for granted, then we start living in selfishness and pride. God honors a grateful heart.

1 Peter 3:4 says, “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead it should be that of your inner self the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. Which is of great wroth in Gods’ sight.”

What impressed Boaz was the character of Ruth. Not her background, not her status, not her clothing, not her name but I’d call it the unromantic, romantic facts that are the basis for love.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds Aug 31

Verses Ruth 2: 4 Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters, "The LORD be with you!" "The LORD bless you!" they called back.

8 So Boaz said to Ruth, "My daughter, listen to me. Don't go and glean in another field and don't go away from here. Stay here with my servant girls.

9 Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the girls. I have told the men not to touch you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled."

10 At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She exclaimed, "Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me-- a foreigner?"

11 Boaz replied, "I've been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband-- how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before.

12 May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge."

The Character of A MAN- Compassion

As we look at the man Boaz would make it on a magazine lists of the most eligible bachelors. He is highly respected in the community. He is wealthy, He would make a good catch and many young ladies and their parents would keep their eye on him. But there is more to him than just being a wealthy landowner with servants.

Boaz is a man of God. Why else would the story-teller pause to record the way Boaz greeted his servants? "And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem; and he said to the reapers, 'The Lord be with you,' and they answered, 'The Lord bless you."' If you want to know a man's relation to God you need to find out how far God has saturated to the details of his everyday life. Evidently Boaz was such a God-saturated man that his farming business and his relationship to his employees was shot through with God. He greeted them with God. And we will see in a minute than these were more than pious platitudes.

He was generous and cared for the poor. Boaz followed the Scriptures from Deut 24. He didn’t have to, but God promises if you helped the poor you would be blessed. That was the heart of Boaz. He was kind to those who were without and willing to share with them. There were a number of other women that would come following the harvester and taking the grain that was overlooked.

My wife used to work on a lettuce farm. Now it isn’t hard to get all the lettuce that is suppose to be harvested, but I could tell she had experience in the fields when we would go blueberry or strawberry picking. She would assign me an area and I’d lumber along getting the fruit and filling my bucket trying to keep up with her but my bucket would only be half full while hers would be full. Then she’d go over my area again and get all the stuff that I didn’t see. I’d try to explain to her that I was following the old testament practice of helping the poor by leaving some for those who followed me. She didn’t buy it.

Boaz generosity as well as giving Ruth some special attention came when he instructed his foreman to let the men leave a little extra so Ruth can get more.

I don’t like to waste things. It came from my Mother who also, like many of you, went through the depression. It bothered me, for instance, when the government would set up rules almost requiring waste. There is so much food required for each nursing home resident and if they didn’t eat it even if it wasn’t touched it had to be thrown away. You couldn’t give it away, you couldn’t have other staff eat perfectly good food. You couldn’t take it home to animals, because it might be suspect that you were cheating this resident so untouched perfectly good food and a lot of it was pitched in the garbage.

I’d much rather have this arrangement where the poor could come and get it and there not be any problems with insurance companies or people who would sue the owner if they fell down or sprained their backs picking up food left behind. Sometimes in our society common sense just goes flying out the window.

I heard now of a movement where some countries are trying to stop shipments of clothing to the poor because the clothing industries in those countries see it as unfair competition to their jobs, so you’d rather go naked they get free clothing. I don’t get it.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Sept 1

Verses Ruth 2: 14 At mealtime Boaz said to her, "Come over here. Have some bread and dip it in the wine vinegar." When she sat down with the harvesters, he offered her some roasted grain. She ate all she wanted and had some left over.

15 As she got up to glean, Boaz gave orders to his men, "Even if she gathers among the sheaves, don't embarrass her.

16 Rather, pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up, and don't rebuke her."

Ruth 2:19-21

19 Her mother-in-law asked her, "Where did you glean today? Where did you work? Blessed be the man who took notice of you!" Then Ruth told her mother-in-law about the one at whose place she had been working. "The name of the man I worked with today is Boaz," she said.

20 "The LORD bless him!" Naomi said to her daughter-in-law. "He has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead." She added, "That man is our close relative; he is one of our kinsman-redeemers."

21 Then Ruth the Moabitess said, "He even said to me, 'Stay with my workers until they finish harvesting all my grain.'"

(NIV)

The Character of Kindness

But notice Boaz kindness. Even though he was wealthy and a landowner, he was also good to his workers. He was not stuck up employer who would have little to do with his hired hands. Some won’t mix with the help, but that was not the character of Boaz.

I remember a mop lady at Pleasant Hill Nursing home telling me a story over and over again of one of the administrators who called her to clean up a mess that someone had left. She was so angry because she just cleaned up the hallway that that walked away to get her composure. Then she returned to the spot and saw the administrator on his hands and knees cleaning what she at first refused to do. She said you could have slapped her in the face. Then she worried about losing her job. Now, however, that administrator could ask her to do anything and she’d go it out of the great respect she had for him willing to do what needed to be done regardless of his status.

Boaz was not prejudiced. He helped the foreigner in need. He was thoughtful. If she was thirsty, then go ahead and drink out of the cistern my men bring. He invited Ruth to share in the lunch that they provided for the workers. It is plain old fashioned courtesy And thoughtfulness to others instead of being out only to make money and get what he can from them.

Boaz also gave Ruth protection. That is a problem for a widow who is young to support herself and not be under the protection of another man, because they were open for being sexually abuse and attacked. Some forced to make their living by prostitution for it was not legal at that time for women to own property only men would own property. Unless they found some man that took pity on them and cared for them and give them housing and property they were sunk, and this is what Boaz did. He recognized that Ruth had sacrificed herself for the family of Elimelech and felt the responsibility for her as well because he was a shirt-tail relative. This was part of his religious obligation. He ordered the men not to touch her and that made her feel important.

She was a woman who was a stranger, a foreigner, no family no friends, but only commitment and loyalty caused her to come to these fields. But with all this Boaz did what many women wish their husbands would do- he made her feel special. There are many gracious women who have found happiness in marriage with a mate, who didn’t have much money, or much looks, or much education, but they take notice of their wives and in turn treat them with respect and consideration. O what many wives would give for a little bit of consideration.

These are the unromantic romantic characteristics that make the man as God would have us be.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri Sept 2

Verses: Ruth 2: 4 Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters, "The LORD be with you!" "The LORD bless you!" they called back.

12 May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge."

13 "May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord," she said. "You have given me comfort and have spoken kindly to your servant-- though I do not have the standing of one of your servant girls."

20 "The LORD bless him!" Naomi said to her daughter-in-law. "He has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead." She added, "That man is our close relative; he is one of our kinsman-redeemers."

The Character of GOD

The most important aspect to a budding romance is the character and will of God. When God is at the center of a relationship it makes all the difference in the world. Both Ruth and Boaz were committed to the Lord. Ruth as a fairly recent convert and Boaz was one who lived his faith.

We know the Lord’s command for Israelites not to marry foreign women. The reason given in the Bible is because it will cause people to turn to other gods and people will be led into false belief. The Bible also warns against Christians marrying non Christians for the same reason. Families tend not to worship, put God first, or keep their faith active. When you have gotten so romantically involved that your emotions carry you away it is hard to focus on God’s priorities. Some think they can change their mate once they get married, but that seldom happens. If you have become a Christian after marriage and your spouse is not saved yet, that is a different story. You pray and live your life God wants you to live it and be the best spouse you can and so that the Holy Spirit may work on your spouses heart, but you have choice before you say I do.

My friend John Hoeldtke put it this way, “The reason that the directive were given were religiously these people would lead their offspring astray. I have searched the Scriptures until I do not know how to search t hem any further. I cannot find where God ever condemned interracial marriage. The reason why the Jewish people were not to marry people from the other nations was religious-not racial. A Moabitess was a pagan of a despised nation. Why could Boaz marry her? The answer is that she had already become a believer and made her commitment to the Lord. She did so before Boaz came on the scene as well.”

Also notice how this match is God directed. As it turned out Ruth found herself working in a field belonging to Boaz. Who was from the clan of Elimelech. There are no coincidences with God. "Do you know how many times the word coincidence (or any other word like it) is used is the Bible? Zero. Not one event in all of Scripture is ever spoken of as having been coincidental." Look at Naomi’s response in vs 20 “The Lord has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead.” This man is our close relative. He is one of our kinsman-redeemers.” Ruth and Boaz were also in God’s will because it was His plan for them to marry.

I believe when a young person surrenders his or her will to the Lord and says, “I want to do your will more than anything else whether it means I marry or do not marry you know better what I need that I do.” The Lord has a way of getting that person into contact with another believer so that in a sacred sense the two seem to have been just right for each other.

In order for God to lead, one’s heart must be right. Ruth was always under God’s care and protection. Ruth could have gone to another’s field where she would have been neglected abused, mocked, or stolen, but God provided. Now she is instructed to stay close to the servant girls for Boaz protection. She would have all she wanted then.

It is the Lord, Yahweh who has not withdrawn his kindness to the living—Naomi and Ruth, or to the dead—her deceased husband Elimelech. God has provided a plan to honor and save them. It was all coming so fast to Naomi. She is so excited she repeats herself. And then the reality of the situation finally comes to her. She finally remembers the significance of who Boaz is. He is their kinsman-redeemer. Boaz is the redeemer. A kin who can marry a widow and preserve the family.

Now we see the part the Lord plays. It was the Lord who stopped the famine. It was the Lord who bound Ruth to Naomi in love. It was the Lord who preserved Boaz for Ruth. Ruth did not just happen to come to Boaz's field. The light of God's love has finally broken through bright enough for Naomi to see. The Lord is kind. He is good to all who take refuge under his wings

In Gods’ part of the relationship we see that he is able and willing to bless. Little did they know then they were to be the ancestor of the king of Israel and the Messianic line and ultimately the Savior of the World. God is interested in the poor, the helpless, the stranger, the forgotten. Jesus said, “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”” They story of a pagan girl you choose correctly and see the blessing of God is all part of the backdrop to a love story. Romantic? Ah much more than that. It is founded on the spiritual for that is the basis of love.

This is the message of the gospel in the Old Testament and the New Testament. God will have mercy on anyone who humbles himself like Ruth and takes refuge under the wings of God.

Pastor Dale

A Love Story-Loyalty Ruth 1

Sermon Nuggets Ruth 1 Love Story

Verses Ruth 1: 1 In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab.

2 The man's name was Elimelech, his wife's name Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there.

A Love Story

A Minister was planning to do a wedding following a morning church service. After the benediction he had planned to call the couple down to be married for a brief ceremony, but he just couldn’t think of their names. “Will those wanting to get married please come to the front”. He requested.

Immediate 6 single ladies, three widows and 2 men stepped forward.

I decided to review the book of Ruth these next four weeks and look at different aspects of love. This was one of the favorite books of the Hebrew young women as they dreamed of being a blessed wife.

The first characteristic of love that I think chapter one illustrates is loyalty. It is an admirable characteristic. But more important than loyalty is the object or the one to whom loyalty is directed. Top on our list ought to be God. It is an admirable trait to be loyal to your spouse, loyal to your country, but one ought to rethink loyalty if it leads to sin. What about those loyal to Saddam Hussein, or Adolph Hitler, though admirable is also damning. The code of loyalty and silence among the mafia, or Al Quada is important, but ungodly.

The book of Ruth not only teaches us about love, but about the sovereignty of God and His decision to use a foreigner, a Moabite, a woman for his greater plans. Ruth is to be the grandmother of King David making her part of the kingly line. It shows that even in the OT God does love people regardless of race, color, education, or gender.

But we shall see how God lifts up and honors this woman, Ruth.

When Benjamin Franklin was the Ambassador to France, he occasionally attended the Infidels Club -- a group that spent most of its time searching for and reading literary masterpieces. On one occasion Franklin read the book of Ruth to the club, but changed all the names and places in it so it would not be recognized as a book of the Bible. When he finished, the listeners were unanimous in their praise. They said it was one of the most beautiful short stories that they had ever heard, and demanded that he tell them where he had run across such a remarkable work of art. He enjoyed telling them that it came from the Bible!

This story takes place during the period of the Judges. In Israel’s day after they had conquered the land with their leader, Joshua, they settled down in their various allotted places according to the tribes. Within a generation devotion to the Lord dwindled. Judges were appointed to rule over disputes, but it wasn’t that effective. Samson was a Judge and we remember what kind of problems he had. So it was said of the period in Judges 17:6 ”In those days there was no king in Israel , but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”

God said, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

The family of this story is the family of Elimelech who fled to Moab with his two teenaged sons and his wife, Naomi, apparently for economic reasons. He could get food and a job. People relocate for lots of reasons. Those are good reasons, but one must also ask is it God’s will? Some are looking for better jobs, more money, advancement, greener pastures, better climate or education. All of that is fine, but what does God want for you? Do you pray about where the Lord would have you live, or go to school, or work?

There is always a struggle of living for the Lord and doing what He wants when we live among people and work with folks for whom godly values are non existent. One must ask how much the culture around us influences us, or how much do we influence the culture around it. There was a reason God instructed His people not to marry foreign women. There is a reason God’s word says not to be unequally yoke with unbelievers.

There are challenges and consequences that could be avoided. But there are also occasions were a faithful witness can be use by God’s grace to show His love and acceptance.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues Aug 23 Commitment

Verses- 3 Now Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died, and she was left with her two sons.

4 They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years,5 both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.

6 When she heard in Moab that the LORD had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, Naomi and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there.

7 With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah.

8 Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Go back, each of you, to your mother's home. May the LORD show kindness to you, as you have shown to your dead and to me.

9 May the LORD grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband." Then she kissed them and they wept aloud 10 and said to her, "We will go back with you to your people."

11 But Naomi said, "Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands?

Love is demonstrated by Commitment

The story is unfolded. There was a draught in Israel and specifically felt in Bethlehem. It was not uncommon for God also to judge his people through circumstances like this as a wake up call to repentance. Sometimes God would use other foreign nations and pagan nations to success as victories as a judgment against God’s people.

There are a lot of innocent people that pay for the mistakes of others and their quick decisions. Some consequences cannot be reversed. Elimelech took his family to Moab, rather than be under the general judgment of God and was able to get bread and his two sons married Moabite women. It is interesting to realize what their names meant.

“Chilion- means one who life has reached its term or limits or pining away. Mahlon means sickly or diseased. Perhaps it was a product of the consequences, we do not know, but all three men died, Elimelech, Mahlon and Chilion, and they didn’t have any children and all three widows within that 10 years people of time were destitute.

In biblical times a woman depended on her husband or sons to provide for her. Without men she was forced to beg on the streets and rely on the kindness of others, similarly to what we have seen in modern day Afghanistan under the Taliban rule.
What caught my attention was the way in which how much the daughters-in-law love Naomi. That doesn’t always happen in relationships. What happens when one marries someone that you as a parent don’t approve of. What should your reaction be? Disown them? Have nothing to do with them? Let them know they have made a mistake and now must live with it?”

What I see in his passage is that Ruth and Orpah had such a respect and love for Naomi I think it must be how she treated and reacted to her daughters-in-law. Naomi loved her God, her husband and her sons. She loved Israel. But she apparently showed and demonstrated her love for her daughters in law. Maybe they were not who she wanted her sons to marry. But she apparently showed them kindness as well.

Instead of the influence of the Moabites on the faith of this family, Naomi’s faith apparently influenced these young women. They accepted Jehovah of Israel. When Naomi heard about the Lord visiting Bethlehem again with bread she decided to go back to her people, her land, her God and having a concern for the daughters in law tried to think what was best for them. Unselfishly she told them to go back to their families as well. She didn’t have anything to offer them and they would be in a situation perhaps of getting marriage again and gaining a family.

Knowing what she knew of the laws of Israel there was also not a likelihood that they would marry Moabite women with Israelite girls around.

The commitment I see is Naomi to her husband when they leave to a foreign land. And of Ruth to Naomi who won’t leave her alone. Commitment is part of love. It is also important part of marriage. It is more than a feeling. It is a decision to stick with another through the ups and downs of life. It may not mean always agreeing with the other, but seeking to do what is best for the relationship because the other person or people matter.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds Aug 24 Challenges

Verses- Ruth 1:12 Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me-- even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons--13 would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the LORD's hand has gone out against me!"

14 At this they wept again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-by, but Ruth clung to her.

15 "Look," said Naomi, "your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her."

16 But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.

17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me."

18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.

Love is demonstrated through Challenges

Any commitment is usually challenged. We might commit to something or someone but the depth of that commitment is revealed when things in life get hard. When there is temptation, when there are hard times. When we make a commitment to something how dedicated are we to stick to that commitment and what might be reasons to go back on promises?

Although I value the importance of commitment I must say commitment to the wrong cause deserves to be broken. If someone makes a sinful promise it would be wrong before God to keep that commitment. If someone is committed to worship a family idol and presented with the truth of Jesus Christ, it would be important to repent and commit to truth.

So it does take thought, prayer and re-evaluation when we are challenged to reconsider our decisions.

Women in the Bible days have a very rough life. We see some societies that are male dominated where women have very little or no rights.

I caught the end of one of the TV news magazine stories recently where a male passenger on an airplane from the Muslim background was sitting next to a Muslim woman. She asked the man a simple question. He became furious with her and publicly rebuked her for a woman is not allowed to speak to a man unless she is spoke to first. We might find those customs odd in our world, but this similar to the world also in which Ruth lived. Not Muslim, but definitely patriarchal. Women were not given many rights. There are some societies in which there are no rights. The woman is told who to marry and what her responsibilities are to be a good wife.

The challenge to their commitment started with the death of their husbands and these women realized they had great needs, not only in love but protection and provision in a society that could abuse them. The daughters-in-law loved Naomi and she in turn loved them. But without resources they had to rethink their commitment. They had to make a choice to follow Naomi back to a foreign country for them with this new God that is suppose to have all things in his hands. Or they were to choose to go to material security by returning to find a husband and children and positions among their own people? One road seemed bright and secure, the other road seemed unsure and scary and new. They had no idea what the future would hold. Both out of their love and devotion to Naomi did not want to leave her, but she made them rethink and look at the situation of what would be best for them.

You see there is a cultural code in that day for widows (Ex 22:22 and Deut 10:18) It talks about the care of widow and the Hebrew way. It had to do with a Levirate marriage, which meant a dead man’s brother was to marry the widow to provide her security and give her children to carry on the family name and inheritance. But Naomi had no more sons and she said You will not wait for me to have a son and grow up to marry you. So Naomi wanted them to find what she had lost- security safety and home.

Orpah though about her challenges among a people foreign to her and vulnerability in that environment and realized as going back to her people and her gods was a better option. She apparently made a start in spiritual matters but like so often happens it is circumstances that cause people to turn away from their commitment and their decision to go back to their former way of living. They knew evil and sin. The prospect of security, a husband, material provisions influenced her even though she was sad to say goodbye.

The road of faith to follow the Lord gives no promise of home, give no assurance of security. Like the seed that falls on thorny or rocky soil there are challenges good and bad to our Christian life. Many will go back on their commitment. For some to give their lives to Jesus and love him might mean giving up a job, or a home to follow him. Love is force to decide between convenience and personal pleasures and interest to pleasing the one whom you love.

2 Tim 4:20 says, “Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica.”” Orpah was to become a wife again. Ruth also faced the same challenge. One never hears about more about Orpah, whereas Ruth is spoken through all the history as part of Christ’s ancestry.

How has your love commitment been challenged?

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs Aug 25 Choices

Verses Ruth 1: 16 But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.

17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me."

18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.

Love is demonstrated by Choices

Challenges that come to evaluate love will result in some choices we make. Commitment is also a choice. When people stand to take a wife or a husband they are choosing to make a vow of loyalty to each other in life.

We are like Ruth in that we are aliens and strangers in this land. Eph 2 says, “Consequently you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with Gods’ people and members of God’s household” We can become part of God’s household by making that important choice- to make him our God and give to him our allegiances. We were born into sin. That was Ruth’s situation. We were lost and part of people apt from God. Yet by Gods grace he continued to work out the details in our lives and he did so in Ruth’s life. For there is a turning away from her background and choose to live with Naomi and follow the Lord

Many people might talk about being a Christian and go to church, but there has been no choice to turn from sin. They have never changed direction of their lives. They are never making Christ Lord and master of their lives.

Orpah chose to return to her land and her people, which was pagan. Ruth chose to turn her back on her past and express her love to Naomi by going with her wherever she went.

How much do we love Jesus? Knowing we are loved by Christ and receiving the promises of being in His care we also choose to love, but where will that love lead us? For Ruth her choice was to leave her race, her cultural adjustment, receive discrimination, giving up an old friends and go with her mother-in-law.

That as the call of Joshua who said, “Choose this day whom you will serve”.

That is the call of Christ. “He who is not for me is against me” ”He who confessed me before men him also will I confess before my father. He who does not confess me before me, neither will I confess him before my father.” That is what love is -a commitment and with this commitment come choices if we are going to follow and remain faithful to our vows.

It was God who broke the famine and opened the way home (1:6). It was God who preserved a kinsman to continue Naomi's line (2:20). And it was God who constrains Ruth to stay with Naomi. But Naomi is so embittered by God's hard providence that she can't see his mercy at work in her life. She needed someone to love her as well.

Ruth's commitment to her destitute mother-in-law is simply astonishing. "Where you die I will die and there be buried" (v. 17). In other words, she will never return home, not even if Naomi dies. "Your God will be my God" (v. 16).

Naomi has just said in verse 13, "The hand of the Lord has gone forth against me." Naomi's experience of God was bitterness because of her circumstances. But in spite of this, Ruth forsakes her religious heritage and makes the God of Israel her God. Perhaps she had made that commitment years before, when her husband told her of the great love of God for Israel and his power at the Red Sea and his glorious purpose of peace and righteousness. Somehow or other Ruth had come to trust in Naomi's God in spite of Naomi's bitter experiences. Her love required some choices as does yours.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri Aug 26 Caring

Verses- Ruth 1: 16 But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.

17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me."

18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.

19 So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women exclaimed, "Can this be Naomi?"

20 "Don't call me Naomi," she told them. "Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter.

21 I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The LORD has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me."

22 So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning.

Love is demonstrated by Caring.

Even though commitment is the core of love, yet you can’t hardly love without showing care. It is the core of commitment. If we are committed to another we will care about them.

Ruth’s shows her caring spirit by making Naomi’s hardships her hardships. And so links herself to the surviving member of the family of Elimelech because it is the right and responsible thing to do to care for the one in need.

Unfortunately we see laws forcing fathers to pay for the needs of their children when they divorce. Many mothers only care for their needs and wants and children are neglected.

As Christians we are also called to love not just our family, but those around us. We are to care for the poor, the disadvantaged, those who experience injustice. Caring for others is a mark of a Christian because it is a mark of Jesus.

Ruth showed her responsibility to the devotions of Naomi and demonstrated true love and loyalty by seeking to care for her and yet she didn’t have to. She showed humility in taking on that responsibly. “Where you go, I will go.” Is the caring expressed by saying my life’s direction is in your hand. Or “where thou lodge I will lodge.” Lodging is supplying the basic needs. It is the understanding what is important isn’t the house, it is the person and people within that house. Treasure your family while you have them. To feed, cloth and shelter, is not enough. It is to care, to love and help them with various and appropriate support as needed.

“Your people will be my people.” That commitment of caring is saying that people of God will now become my people. I will so dedicate myself to share and become one with them- The community of God is now the church, not the Israeli community. It is to say yes to a Christian, saying yes to brother and sister in the Lord. Friends change, People change, and this now becomes a new spiritual family. It involves caring for one another hand devoting each other to the tasks around us under the direction of the father. “Your God be my god. That is the essence of message. I will continue in my walk with Jehovah God. I will make him my God and the Lord, this is a prayer may be punished me if that isn’t true. Whether thou will die, I will die”, indicates the commitment for life, there I’ll be buried. We become involved in the business of the Kingdom and realize this graciousness unto the end. The commitment caring and helping is life-long. It is a final and complete one until he calls us home.

Naomi passed final judgment on herself and on the Lord before the Lord finished. Our mistake is that we single out some experience and then judge god by this alone, wondering why he allowed it. It is easily we forget His many blessings and benefits to us.

Ruth and Naomi came at the beginning of the barley harvest that is the spring that is the first crop as the first chapter ends. It shows the scene as all seems lost, but it isn’t, for now the glimmer of hope shines. There is something that is coming.

The problem with Naomi is that she has forgotten the story of Joseph who also went into a foreign country. He was sold as a slave. He was framed by an adulteress and put in prison. He had every reason to say, with Naomi, "The Almighty has dealt bitterly with me." But he kept his faith and God turned it all for his personal good and for Israel's national good. The key lesson in Genesis 50:20 is this: "As for you, you meant it for evil against me [Joseph says to his brothers]; but God meant it for good." Naomi is right to believe in a sovereign almighty God who governs the affairs of nations and families and gives each day its part of pain and pleasure. But she needs to open her eyes to the signs of his merciful purposes.

Not only the spring harvest but Naomi needs to open her eyes to Ruth. What a gift! What a blessing! Yet as she and Ruth stand before the people of Bethlehem Naomi says in verse 21, "The Lord has brought me back empty." Not so, Naomi! You are so weary with the night of adversity that you can't see the dawn of rejoicing. What would she say if she could see that in Ruth she would gain a man-child and that this man-child would be the grandfather of the greatest king of Israel and that this king of Israel would foreshadow the King of kings, Jesus Christ, the Lord of the universe?

The Author of love is Jesus Christ who showed his commitment to us while we were sinners Christ died for us. He chose us even before the world began. He cares for us.

Pastor Dale