Introduction
- Boaz provided, but no longterm security. The harvest ended (2:23). Once no food, who will help?
Read Ruth 3:1-15
- 6mos food, but future uncertain. Abundance of temporary blessings no guarantee future security.
- A 1978 study: “What happens to a person’s emotional life after winning the lottery?” Lottery winners/accident victims asked to rate pleasure from everyday activities (friends, TV, breakfast, laughing). Accident victims were happier!
- Barley NOT $1M + Ruth obtained responsibly. But no rest…not yet!
- Boaz promised Ruth (3:13), but she’d heard that before, from one now in a Moab grave…
- Naomi and Ruth had reasons to doubt. However, no anxious pacing, just bold faith. They haven’t forgotten Who is in control.
- Perhaps God brought Ruth to the field of Boaz to bless their faithfulness in midst of rebellious generation.
- The Plan For Rest (1-5)
- The Request For Rest (6-9)
- The Anticipation of Rest (10-15)
The Plan For Rest (1-5)
- Parents arranged marriages. Problem: Harvest ended. Naomi hoped Boaz would indicate interest during harvest. 6/8wks later, still no progress. Apparently, Boaz thought Ruth way out of his league.
- Naomi heats things up w/ plan either recklessly immoral/bold and risky.
- 1x Naomi actively participating. God: restored hope > strengthening faith > useful.
- From bitter despair > seeking rest for Ruth (v.1 “rest for you…well with you”).
- Self-interest > self-sacrificial love.
- “Rest” exactly what she prayed back in Moab (1:9). Clearly, Ruth’s marriage on Naomi’s mind. She is risking being left alone.
- Central question, “Should I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you?” That question guides all that follows.
- It has direct parallel to gospel.
- Jesus offers us a superior rest. “All you that labor and are heavy laden, come unto me and I will give you rest,” (Matthew 11:28).
- Naomi lived selflessly because understood the joy of living by faith for a future rest.
- God’s restoration brings radical transformation.
- Only gospel provides true rest > genuine joy > usefulness.
“Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee.”
- Are you a sacrificial servant? If not, possibly filled with “fears and sins” from which you’re already released.
Naomi’s plan for rest becomes Ruth’s…
The Request For Rest (6-9)
- Threshing floor high/open allowing wind to blow chaff away. Gideon hid in winepress (Judges 6:11). Boaz probably guarding (7a).
- Risking rejection, Ruth obeys perfectly (7b). She trusted Naomi’s advice without hesitation. Her faith was strengthened witnessing Naomi’s restoration.
- Tension builds (8). Immorality common during ANE harvest. Will they compromise their integrity?
- If Naomi ambiguous, Ruth not. Her intentions are clear. She isn’t looking for night of passion, but marriage.
- v.9 Metaphor for the covenant of marriage (Ezekiel 16:8-9). Arab practice, when claiming a widow as a wife.
- What is uncharacteristic about this is that Ruth is the one initiating the proposal. We find that odd today, and yet it was far more extraordinary back then.
- In Ruth 2:12, Boaz stated that Ruth had taken refuge under God’s wings. Now she is requesting he be the fulfillment of that security for her.
- Ruth understood the joy of living by faith for a future rest and it meant that she lived with integrity.
- Many people with the best intentions have found themselves falling fast when the opportunity presents itself.
- Living by faith means living with integrity. The joy that results from a strong faith does not see integrity as restricting, but the response of gratitude.
- Longterm faithfulness is more important than fleeting passion.
Naomi’s Plan > Ruth’s Request > Boaz’s…
The Anticipation of Rest (10-15)
- 2:12 > 3:10. Boaz shocked with delight. He thinks highly of Ruth because of her reputation (11). Boaz not Prince Charming. This well-respected man, from an esteemed family, remained single.
- (11) > Prov. 31:10, 31.
- Boaz graciously commits to become their redeemer should the nearer (obligated) relative be unwilling (12-13). Assurance of security. “In the morning” indicates his affection.
- (15) Six measures (3x amount gleaned, 75-80lbs!).
- Pilgrim’s Progress:
Then was CHRISTIAN glad and lightsome, and said, with a merry heart, “He hath given me rest by his sorrow, and life by his death.” Then he stood still awhile to look and wonder; for it was very surprising to him, that the sight of the cross should thus ease him of his burden. He looked therefore, and looked again, even till the springs that were in his head sent the waters down his cheeks.
- When I’m anxious and stressed I don’t serve. I become consumed with solving my dilemma. The last thing I have is joy.
- We can be overwhelmed by an uncertain future. Rest foreign concept. Restlessness > inward, anxious, self-reliant.
- Are you still striving to find rest? Are you carrying a burden that Christ already bore for you? It’s possible that you have forgotten the rest already secured for you.
Look again to the cross! Then look again.
Conclusion
- Naomi’s plan for rest revealed her selflessness. Ruth’s request for rest revealed her integrity. And the anticipation of rest that Boaz (all of them) experienced was a deep-rooted hope that God would provide something incredible.
- God blessed each of them in ways that exceeded their expectations. Has he not done the same for you, and all who place their hope in Jesus?
- An abundance of temporary blessings is fleeting if our eternal rest is not secured. You can gain the whole world and forfeit your soul! Do you know the joy of living by faith for a future rest?