9. All Things Work For Good

Posted on Posted in Sermon Notes, Prayer Meeting, Sermon Audio 2015, October 2015 Tagged with , , , ,

Hymns: 327 All Things Work Out for Good 328 How Firm a Foundation 329 We Have An Anchor

 

Under His Wings

– All Things Work for Good

 

10 And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich. 11 And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman. 12 And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I. 13 Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman’s part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth: lie down until the morning. 14 And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor. 15 Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city. 16 And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her. 17 And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law. 18 Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.

 

OUTLINE

  • The Courage (v11-13)
  • The Calmness (v14-18)

 

INTRODUCTION

Life with God is often a patient awaiting, tarrying in perseverance in the will of God before finally receiving God’s blessing. We are on that journey of faith that will finally bring us to heaven’s shores from the day when we first believed. That journey involves a simple faith to cling on to the promises of God in spite and despite the storms that come along the journey. There is the reward of faithfulness awaiting the persevering and overcoming saint.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

The book of Ruth gives an insight into the brighter side of life during the time of Judges. It shows that simple faith in God and loving concern for others still existed in Israel. There were here and there throughout the nation, people who tried to live righteously before God.

The story shows also that God was always graciously caring for His people and was guiding everyday events for their good and ultimately for the good of the nation (Rom. 8:28).

The story also shows that Gentiles could believe in the Lord. Three out of four women named in Matthew’s genealogy of Christ were Gentiles (Tamar, Rahab, and Ruth).

Another purpose is to reveal to us the line of David, the greatest King of Israel, especially to show that Ruth, a heathen, was his great-grandmother. The key words in the book include kinsman (14 times), and redeem (9 times).

Our story brings us to the barley harvest in the early spring (March – April). As provided under the Levitical laws, Ruth was qualified to glean from the field after the harvest because she was a widow and a stranger (Deut. 24:19-22; Lev. 19:9-10).

It was not by coincidence that Ruth came to the field of Boaz. God’s sovereign hand is clearly seen in leading her to meet the man who would redeem her and marry her! Note her determination towards work. “Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn….Let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves….Let me find favour in thy sight” (2:2, 7, 13). She had an operative faith, a faith undergirded by good works.

God led her to Boaz’s field. Boaz protected and provided for her long before he married her. All these come from God’s “grace” (2:2), “favour” (2:13) and “kindness” (2:20). God blesses those who honour Him and guides them to do His will.

How wonderful it is to see Naomi losing her bitterness and being restored to blessing again. The chapter ends with Ruth’s report to Naomi (2:17-23). Naomi saw God’s hand in Ruth’s meeting with Boaz.

Naomi disclosed that Boaz was a near kinsman or kinsman-redeemer (2:20). As such, he could function as a protector of family rights and property (Lev. 25:23-55). This Levitical law allows an Israelite who was forced to sell his land to have it redeemed by a close relative. Of course, the kinsman had to be willing and able to redeem.

Ruth followed Naomi’s instruction and presented her case to Boaz. If he were to redeem her deceased husband’s estate, he must also be willing to marry her. Ruth herself was to make the first move. Boaz would not make the first move because he had concluded that there are many more eligible younger bachelors in Bethlehem. Being an older man and Ruth was a young woman, Boaz concluded that he was out of the running. Also, there was a nearer kinsman who had first option on Ruth and the property. Boaz was waiting for this nearer kinsman to act first.

And so Naomi had instructed Ruth to broach the question. And she had worked out the perfect time for Ruth to approach Boaz. In those days, men often slept at the threshing floor to protect the grain.

 

Two thought for this text – Courage (v10-13) and Calmness (v14-18). Ruth had to have the courage and calmness to follow through her mother-in-law’s instruction.

 

(1) Courage (v10-13)

10 And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.

 That night will mark the marking of a new beginning for Ruth. Boaz saw the superintending hand of God in guiding Ruth to him.

 What was Ruth’s latter “kindness”? Ruth’s former act of devotion was her decision to stay with and help Naomi.

 Ruth 1:15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.

 Ruth 2:2 And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.

 Ruth 2:11 And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.

The latter act of devotion is her decision to marry Boaz and thereby provide a child to carry on her deceased husband’s (and Elimelech’s line) and to provide for Naomi’s needs in her old age.

 Boaz saw that Ruth’s primary concern was for Naomi’s future well-being. It would have been natural for Ruth find a husband of her own age rather than someone much older as Boaz. Boaz has respect Ruth’s piety towards Naomi.

 11 And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman. 12 And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I. 13 Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman’s part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth: lie down until the morning.

That night, Ruth went quietly to the threshing floor where Boaz was sleeping, guarding his grain. She gently lifted the blanket from his feet. When his feet grew cold, he awoke. Ruth said to him: “Spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid….” (3:9).

Naomi’s advice seemed strange, but she was not suggesting that Ruth seduces Boaz. Naomi was following an Israelite custom. It was common then for servants to lie at the feet of their master and share a part of his covering. By doing this, Ruth was figuratively asking Boaz to be the kinsman-redeemer and claim her as his wife. Obviously, it took faith and courage for her to take this step.

Boaz was delighted and honoured that Ruth did not reject him because of his age. He promised to fulfill the duty of a kinsman the next day.

However, there was a closer relative than he who had the right to marry her. If this relative was not willing, Boaz would then take Ruth as his wife. Boaz’s decision to take in Ruth was remarkable when you consider that Ruth was not an Israelite.

 

(2) Calmness (v14-18)

14 And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor.

Ruth was at his feet and not by his side. Boaz is beginning to take Ruth “under his wings”, his request being for the protection of Ruth’s reputation. We observe also how God would latter times would intervene to protect Ruth’s descendant Mary from gossip ensuring that Joseph would not put her away as unchaste.

Matthew 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

Matthew 1:20-25 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

 15 Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city.

Stretch out the cape that put on you and hold it whilst Boaz poured 6 measures of barley, approximately 20kg or 50 pounds of barley which Boaz help to lift up on her shoulders.

16 And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her.

When she arrived home, Naomi asked, “How did it go, my daughter?” It is literally “who are you!” Are you Mrs. Boaz yet? What’s the story? And Ruth told her all the Boaz had done for her.

 17 And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.

 The most blessed news to Naomi was why Boaz gave Ruth the six measures of barley. Do not go to your mother-in-law empty! The significant word is “empty”. This was the same word used in Ruth 1:21.

 Ruth 1:21 I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?

This word “empty” was Noami’s description of her life. But now this word from Boaz is ministering directly to her life. Naomi was not empty anymore. The grain was Naomi’s guarantee that her emptiness was over.

Indeed, when we become a child of God, the Holy Spirit indwells us that we have God with us. We are no longer empty. We can calmly go through life with full assurance of God’s help as we endeavour to tarry with Him according His word.

 18 Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.

Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, to wait, “until you know how the matter will turn out”. Indeed, the ability to wait can be difficult. To remain calm to trust God until the Redeemer’s work is all completed by Him. 

Lamentations 3:26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

 Galatians 5:5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

 James 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

God is in control of all situations. It is best to wait on Him. In His perfect timing He will reveal to us His will and plan but we must learn how to wait on Him. God will always do exactly as He has promised. He is never early. He will never be late.[1]

 

CONCLUSION

Truly, all things in life are under the direction our infinitely wise God who has purposed our salvation as a Christian and also appointed all things in our life whether afflictions or persecutions contributing to our good. May our faith be strengthened. Amen.

[1] Sam Nadler, The Book of Ruth – Hope Fulfilled in the Redeemer’s Grace, Rose Publishing,2014, 201.