Ruth Lays in Boaz Feet Ruth part 3

Transcription

1 Ruth Lays in Boaz Feet Ruth part 3 Last time, we saw how Ruth met Boaz who was an owner of a field and a relative of Naomi. Boaz was pleased with Ruth because she was a hard working woman and she is taking care of Naomi. Women in the Bible are symbols of a church. They are either a symbol of the true church, the body of Christ which Head is Jesus Christ, or a symbol of Babylon or the false churches of this world. Ruth here is a symbol of the true church. And Boaz is a symbol of our Lord who rewards those who serve Him earnestly. Pro 13:4 (ISV) The lazy person craves, yet receives nothing, but the desires of the diligent are satisfied. Gal 6:9 (ESV) And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Why does it say in due season? Because we don t see results right away. It s like farming, you need to wait and take care of the crop while it s growing. If we do not give up, then in due season or in time, we will harvest and enjoy the fruit of our hard work. Being diligent or hardworking should be a habit and should not be a one time deal. When you see people who are great at what they do, you are looking at people who worked hard at their craft. Whether it is an athlete, a musician, or anyone who is great at something, these people have put in a lot of time and work to master their particular skill. This is true in understanding the Bible. We need to put in time and work, as well as ask God for wisdom in order to gain the knowledge that we need. Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; Psa 1:2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. Psa 1:3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. It is really significant that a Moabite woman is used as the symbol of the body of Christ. We are all spiritual foreigners to begin with. We all need a savior in order to enter the kingdom of God. Let s continue the story of Ruth: Rth 3:1 (ESV) Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, My daughter, should I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you?

2 What is being said here? What did Naomi mean by seeking rest for Ruth? The word translated rest in that verse means quiet, a settled spot, a home. Here s that verse again in another translation: Rth 3:1 (CEV) One day, Naomi said to Ruth: It's time I found you a husband, who will give you a home and take care of you. We live in a troubled world, but God s people are given the peace of mind despite all the trials that they face. Isa 32:18 (GW) My people will live in a peaceful place, in safe homes and quiet places of rest. God s people live in safe homes because they have the sure foundation which is Jesus Christ and His teachings. Mat 7:24 (GW) "Therefore, everyone who hears what I say and obeys it will be like a wise person who built a house on rock. Mat 7:25 Rain poured, and floods came. Winds blew and beat against that house. But it did not collapse, because its foundation was on rock. Mat 7:26 "Everyone who hears what I say but doesn't obey it will be like a foolish person who built a house on sand. Mat 7:27 Rain poured, and floods came. Winds blew and struck that house. It collapsed, and the result was a total disaster." Obedience is the key to pleasing God, and that is exactly what Ruth is exhibiting here. Rth 3:2 (CEV) You have been picking up grain alongside the women who work for Boaz, and you know he is a relative of ours. Tonight he will be threshing the grain. Rth 3:3 Now take a bath and put on some perfume, then dress in your best clothes. Go where he is working, but don't let him see you until he has finished eating and drinking. Rth 3:4 Watch where he goes to spend the night, then when he is asleep, lift the cover and lie down at his feet. He will tell you what to do. Rth 3:5 Ruth answered, "I'll do whatever you say." Naomi is being a good example of a mature woman here who wants to take care of and teach the younger women how to behave in holiness. Tit 2:3 (ISV) Likewise, older women are to show their reverence for God by their behavior. They are not to be gossips or addicted to alcohol, but to be examples of goodness. Tit 2:4 (KJV) That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, Tit 2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Naomi is not teaching Ruth to seduce Boaz. She is teaching Ruth to declare to Boaz that

3 she wants to marry him. Rth 3:6 (GW) Ruth went to the threshing floor and did exactly as her motherin-law had directed her. Rth 3:7 Boaz had eaten and drunk to his heart's content, so he went and lay at the edge of a pile of grain. Then she went over to him secretly, uncovered his feet, and lay down. Rth 3:8 At midnight the man was shivering. When he turned over, he was surprised to see a woman lying at his feet. Rth 3:9 "Who are you?" he asked. She answered, "I am Ruth. Spread the corner of your garment over me because you are a close relative who can take care of me." Lying at someone s feet is a symbol of being submissive to someone. We are given all given a rebellious nature. Kids are naturally rebellious against their parents, and wives are naturally rebellious against their husbands. Gen 3:16 (ESV) To the woman he said, I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you. We are all naturally rebellious to our Lord who is our spiritual husband. Part of being submissive to someone is the willingness to learn from them. Luk 10:38 (ESV) Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. Luk 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. The Lord has sent teachers to those He has given the faith to believe His words and apostle Paul likened the church as a chaste bride being married to the Lord. 2Co 11:2 (ERV) I am jealous for you with a jealousy that comes from God. I promised to give you to Christ. He must be your only husband. I want to give you to Christ to be his pure bride. 2Co 11:3 But I am afraid that your minds will be led away from your true and pure following of Christ. This could happen just as Eve was tricked by that snake with his clever lies. Having Christ as our spiritual husband might be a hard topic for children, specially the younger ones, so just keep it mind that what it means is being obedient to God s commands in the Bible. Rth 3:10 (CEV) Boaz replied: The LORD bless you! This shows how truly

4 loyal you are to your family. You could have looked for a younger man, either rich or poor, but you didn't. Going after young men is a symbol of going after the things of this world. Spiritual things are not important to us at first. That s why it is very important for parents that we introduce our kids to the words of God as soon as they can understand them. 1Pe 2:10 (BBE) In the past you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; then there was no mercy for you, but now mercy has been given to you. 1Pe 2:11 My loved ones, I make this request with all my heart, that, as those for whom this world is a strange country, you will keep yourselves from the desires of the flesh which make war against the soul; As we mature, we slowly realize that everything in this world is temporary and will not really give us anything permanent. The spiritual things that we will receive if we obey God is far more worthy of our time and hard work. 1Jn 2:15 (CEV) Don't love the world or anything that belongs to the world. If you love the world, you cannot love the Father. 1Jn 2:16 Our foolish pride comes from this world, and so do our selfish desires and our desire to have everything we see. None of this comes from the Father. 1Jn 2:17 The world and the desires it causes are disappearing. But if we obey God, we will live forever. Let s continue Ruth s story: Rth 3:11 (ERV) Now, young woman, don't be afraid. I will do what you ask. All the people in our town know that you are a very good woman. Rth 3:12 And it is true that I am a close relative. But there is a man who is a closer relative to you than I am. Rth 3:13 Stay here tonight. In the morning we will see if he will help you. If he decides to help you, that is fine. If he refuses to help, I promise, as surely as the LORD lives, I will marry you and buy back Elimelech's land for you. So lie here until morning." There is a law in Israel that requires a widow to marry her husband s brother and not a foreigner. Deu 25:5 (ESV) If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the dead man shall not be married outside the family to a stranger. Her husband's brother shall go in to her and take her as his wife and perform the duty of a husband's brother to her.

5 This is the law that Boaz is referring to here. He s saying that Naomi has another relative that is actually a closer relative to her than him. He will offer the opportunity to this man first of buying Elimelech s (Naomi s dead husband) land first and marrying Ruth. But if this man refuses, Boaz has promised to buy the land himself and marry Ruth. Deu 25:6 (ESV) And the first son whom she bears shall succeed to the name of his dead brother, that his name may not be blotted out of Israel. Our name is our reputation. Our name is our character. The spiritual lesson here is that we should offer our life to spread the name of Jesus Christ. We should be willing to forsake everything to preach the gospel to others. Joh 17:6 (ESV) I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Joh 17:12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. The son of destruction is our old man whom Christ will destroy. He will destroy our old nature and give us His name, in other words, He will change us to be like Him. Rth 3:14 (ERV) So Ruth lay near Boaz's feet until morning. She got up while it was still dark, before it was light enough for people to recognize each other. Boaz said to her, "We will keep it a secret that you came here to me last night." The Bible is written in such a way that only God s chosen people can understand and see the secret spiritual lessons behind every story. God works this way, but in the end, He will save all men and give them the knowledge of the truth. 1Ti 2:3 (KJV) This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 1Ti 2:4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Boaz continued to bless Ruth as she served her mother-in-law, as God will also continue to bless us as we serve His people. Rth 3:15 (ERV) Then he said, "Bring me your coat. Now, hold it open." So Ruth held her coat open, and Boaz measured out about a bushel of barley as a gift to Naomi, her mother-in-law. Boaz then wrapped it in Ruth's coat, and put it on her back. Then he went to the city. Rth 3:16 Ruth went to the home of her mother-in-law, Naomi. Naomi went to the door and asked, "Who's there?" Ruth went in telling Naomi everything that Boaz did for her.

6 Rth 3:17 She said, "Boaz gave me this barley as a gift for you. He said that I must not go home without bringing a gift for you." Rth 3:18 Naomi said, "Daughter, be patient until we hear what happens. Boaz will not rest until he has finished doing what he should do. We will know what will happen before the day is ended." God will not rest until he Has finished the good work He has began in His saints. Php 1:3 (ESV) I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, Php 1:4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, Php 1:5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. Php 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will