Show Kindness

 Ruth 2:20

 …Blessed be he of the Lord, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead…

Showing kindness is one of God’s many attributes of who He is. As children of God, it is only natural that we do the same. Boaz saw a widow and daughter in need of extra help, and made sure that they were taken care of. In his case, such kindness led to a close relationship with Ruth the Moabite. There are many applications that can be derived from this story, but it is evident that kindness is a sure take away. Moabites were enemies of the Israelites. Jesus teaches us to love your enemies. One of the core values of being a Christian is to love others, not just those who befriend you, but even those who despise you for what you believe. It was through this kindness shown by Boaz that Christ was born. God chose kindness to bring salvation. We live in a needing world, and many people are in need of love and respect. May you and I be the agent of kindness that brings more love in the world we live in.

Under His Wings

Ruth 2:12 The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust. “Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings” 

We are faced with many predators in life, the greatest of all is the attacks on Satan to cause our faith in God to be abandon. God, like an eagle has His wings stretching out over us protecting us from any harm that comes our way. Each day as we wake and head out into a world that despises all that is holy and right, God has promised to keep us under His wings. Staying under His wings we have come to trust that where He leads, He will take care of anything we might face. Ruth came to trust the God of her mother in law Naomi and believed that God would meet her needs. She garnered the attention of Boaz, and Her trust in God gave her favor in his eyes. God looks after His own, and those who trust Him, He will protect and keep.

Boaz Marries Ruth

March 30th, 2008
Ruth 4:1-17
The union of Boaz and Ruth is not only the consummation of true devotion and love, but also, that of biblical prophecy. The blessing of Jacob to Judah “The scepter shall not depart form Judah” is in part, fulfilled in this love story found in the book of Ruth. The story of Boaz, Ruth, and Naomi is a perfect type of the love of Christ to sinners and to those who are called by His Name. Christ takes those who are outside the fold of God’s family and adopts them as His own through love and redemption of the cross. He restores all who return back to the fold and embraces them with His love and blessings. It is His desire that we surrender all to Him to be a partaker of His inheritance.

Agreement Reached
• Boaz follows through on his Promise
• God always keeps his promise
• Willingness to put aside his own inheritance
Attesting to the Transaction
• In the presences of witnesses
• Following the laws of the Land
Affirmation of Others
• The Blessing of others
• Ruth named among the linage of David
• Boaz to be rewarded- Christ is exalted
Affection for Ruth
• Ruth Became the wife of Boaz
• God Blessed their union- A son is given
Attribute Praise
• Praise and thanksgiving to God
• The Goodness of God
Absolve of the Past
• The restoration of Naomi Life of Bitterness has become sweet
• Her past is behind, she now can look foward
Athrill and Overjoyed
• The child became hers to nurse
• Joy comes in the morning- It will come
A Name is given
• Obed, father of Jesse, the father King David
• The scepter shall not depart from Judah

Kinsmen Redeemer

Ruth 3:8-18
March 16th, 2008

Under the direction of Naomi, Ruth is told to sleep at the feet of Boaz. The culture of the people, in that day, made allowances for such overt behavior. Such forward actions of a woman, was for the sole purpose of provide refuge to a woman who found herself without protection. Boaz was a kinsman of Ruth and was willing to fulfill the requirements of the Kinsman and redeem Ruth to be part of the family. Like Boaz, Christ is our kinsman redeemer who came to earth and gave his life that we could be redeemed and be part of God’s family.

Startled Experience- “the man was afraid”
• Awaken by movement
• Surprise to see a women at his feet
Spreading of the Skirt- “spread therefore thy skirt”
• The custom of proposal
• Protect me with your “wings”
Showing of Character- “for thou has shown kindness”
• Her life was above reproach
• Her desire was to perpetuate the family name
Selecting the Kinsman- “howbeit there is a kinsman”
• Boaz desire to follow the law
• The kinsman’s Responsibility
• Christ- Our kinsman
Secrecy Required- “let it not be known”
• There are some things that need not be spoken
Safeguarding Reputation- “bring the veil…”
• Keeping a good name
• Avoid doing things that others would misinterpret
Social Acceptance- “go not empty”
• Conforming to social behaviors
• God’s word is always 1st coarse
Sitting Still- “sit still…”
• Waiting is a practice trait
• We must let God work out His plan

Boaz Meets Ruth

Ruth 2:4-12
March 9, 2008

Boaz who is master of the barely field sees a young girl who has a desire to care for her mother in law and to serve the God that her mother in law serves. He is touched by her willingness to leave the land of her people and her sincerity to do what is right. How like Christ who looks at a sinner who gives up the world to go all out for the kingdom. How like Him to take such a person and place them under His wings.

Man of God (The Lord be with you)
• Man of Wealth and Nobility
• Man of congeniality
• Son of Rahab- Like Ruth a proselyte
Makes Inquiry (Whose damsel is this?)
• He saw something different in Ruth
• Noticed her diligence
• Represents the Church
Moabitish Damsel (It is the Moabitish damsel)
• Foreigner and stranger to the land
Migrate Worker (Out of the country of Moab)
• Known for her work ethic
• Her character was her beauty- Holiness & Simplicity
Meeting Ruth (Then said Boaz unto Ruth)
• Charmed by her loyalty to her mother in law
• Boaz’s first impression- The impression of the Church
Maidens Privileges (Abide here fast by my maiden)
• We are under His protection
• He will provide are every need
Moved to Worship (She fell down)
• Attitude and gratitude of the heart
• Demonstration of love
Ministry of Kindness (Unto thy mother in law)
• Works of righteousness are seen of God
• Selfless and preferring
Mother Bird (Under whose wings)
• The desire of Christ for His own
• Refuge and shelter from the storm
• Protection from the enemy

Ruth's Choices

Ruth 1:12-22
March 2nd, 2008

The choice to serve God and to be identified with the people of God is the most important decision in a person’s life. In the Providence of God, Ruth was stripped of all she had hoped and dreamed. Her husband was dead and she was without child. Naomi, desiring to return to her people entreated her two daughter-in-laws to return to their people. Ruth had committed herself to go with Naomi and serve her God. Her decision required her to leave her old life behind and take up “the cross” and follow after the true and only God.

Turning to the World (vs12. Turn again…go your way)
• Naomi had nothing to offer- Do we have anything to offer?
• Satan paints a dreary picture of the Christian way
• It is impossible to live holy- Why even attempt?
Tarry with God’s People (vs.13. Would ye tarry)
• What are you willing to give up to go with God?
• Take up thy cross and follow Christ-
Torn Apart (vs14. Lifted up their voices and wept)
• Orpah decision to return to her own people
• Like the rich man- He left sorrowful
• Tears- Not evidence of righteousness
Total Commitment (vs15. Whither thou goest, I will go)
• Embracing truth
• Willing to go where God leads
• Work wherever God places you
• Willing to identify with the people of God
• Follow Christ- Whatever the cost- even death
Tenacity of Ruth (vs.18, She was steadfastly minded)
• Does not easily give up- see it through
• Determination to stay by and be counted
Traveling to Bethlehem (vs.19 Went until they came to Bethlehem)
• Followed through on her commitment- more than words
• Naomi needed to face her failure of the past
• The timing of God- The beginning of barley season
Testified By God (vs.20. The Lord hath testified against me)
• Mara- Bitter- Naomi became bitter toward life and God
• She blamed God for her misfortunes
• She saw God as a God of vengeance and not mercy
• We must see God as sovereign and in control