Follow Up with Clay - 09.04.24

We live in a world that wants to beat men up…. 

We want to build men up… to bless women and children.

1st Corinthians 16:13-14, Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.

Rule to live by: Remember that before she was your wife / fiancée’ / girlfriend….

She was / is His daughter…. Joint heir in the Kingdom of God.

Boaz: (Ruth 1-4)

Anybody have a great wedding proposal story? 

Fiji: The groom and his family present a whale’s tooth to the bride’s family in order to ask for permission for the marriage.

Scotland: Men need to prove their worth by going through a series of trials during a ceremony. The obstacles and tasks are decided by the bride’s father. If the prospective groom is able to successfully complete them, then the couple can get married.

China: Couples traditionally dissect a chicken together and if the liver of the chicken is healthy then they can set a date for their wedding. If the liver is not healthy they have to continue until they find a chicken with a healthy liver.

Now…. The ancient Hebrew custom you’re about to hear won’t seem so weird….

Don’t be distracted by it….

The point of this story…. Is about something way bigger than marriage….

The point is about redemption…. (Pretty good model for our marriages.)

Redeem in the Bible…. Legal term associated with ransom, atonement, substitution, and deliverance…. It’s about salvation.

Jesus Christ redeemed us by giving His life in substitution for our own as the ransom to satisfy God’s wrath against our sin….

Debt is paid in full.

Lesson: If our masculinity isn’t pointing to Jesus… We’re doing it wrong.

Kinsman / Guardian Redeemer: A close relative who acted on behalf of another who was in trouble, danger, or need.

They were called on to avenge the death of a relative that may have been murdered…

They may purchase someone out of slavery / servitude…

As we see in this story….

Buy back land intended to be an inheritance / marry a widow to provide an heir….

But once again…. This is a very nice love story…. But much more….

The experiences of Ruth and Boaz point to God’s plan to redeem us.

Ruth is a book about history…. Documenting life during a specific period in time….

Ruth is a book about a love story…. Filled with romance / character….

Ruth is a book about theology…. Pointing to redemption through Jesus Christ….

Jesus is our Rescuer / Deliverer / Savior / Redeemer….

Jesus took action…. While we, all of mankind, were in trouble / danger / need….

Story:

Ruth / Naomi…. Both widowed…. Both in great need….  

Return to Naomi’s homeland in Bethlehem, Israel….

Ruth gleans in fields…. Picks up grain that has fallen to the ground….

Hard work…. But a way to provide some food for her and her mother-in-law….

She ends up gleaning in a field owned by Boaz, a relative of Naomi’s late husband….

He recognizes great character in Ruth…. Her care for Naomi….

He shows great kindness / generosity to Ruth… (He could have taken advantage.)

Naomi explains to Ruth that he…. Boaz, is a redeemer of theirs…. Great news….

Ruth continued to glean in his field / stay safe…. Until the end of the harvest….

Ruth 3:1-5, 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? Is not Boaz our relative, with whose young women you were? See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. Wash therefore and anoint yourself, and put on your cloak and go down to the threshing floor, but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. But when he lies down, observe the place where he lies. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what to do.” And she replied, “All that you say I will do.”

But this is an ancient custom…. Takes place with modesty / humility….

Go down to where they are celebrating the harvest…. Famine is over….

Wait until his belly is full…. (That part is great advice)

He will go to sleep by his grain….  

Then you will sneak in / uncover his feet / lie down at his feet and wait….

Ruth 3:6-8, So she went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law had commanded her. And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. Then she came softly and uncovered his feet and lay down. At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet!

Strange to us…. Not to them….

She is showing her interest in marriage….

To the man who is their family’s redeemer….

Described in OT law…. When a family member is in trouble….

Boaz is in this role…. But this isn’t exactly something that happens every day….

So it isn’t quite something that he had considered / expecting….

Ruth 3:9, He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.”

There it is…. She recognizes him as a redeemer…. Her intent is now clear….

Ruth 3:10-11, And he said, “May you be blessed by the LORD, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman.

She was young / capable / beautiful….

She could find another husband and be ok…

But that would leave her mother-in-law behind….

She chose her commitment to Naomi above her own interest / future….

Boaz commends her character once again….

And he promises her that they will be taken care of….

However…. There is one problem….

Ruth 3:12-13, And now it is true that I am a redeemer. Yet there is a redeemer nearer than I. Remain tonight, and in the morning, if he will redeemyou, good; let him do it. But if he is not willing to redeem you, then, as the LORD lives, I will redeem you. Lie down until the morning.”

There’s another man…. Closer relative to Naomi’s late husband….

He has the first right / obligation to be the redeemer….

Boaz promises to see this through….

Not from any selfish motivation….

But making sure that the matter is addressed….

Ladies are cared for….

Ruth 3:14-15, So she lay at his feet until the morning, but arose before one could recognize another. And he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” And he said, “Bring the garment you are wearing and hold it out.” So she held it, and he measured out six measures of barley and put it on her. Then she went into the city.

He sends her back to Ruth first thing in the morning….

Not empty handed…. She has breakfast…. And good news….

Ruth 3:16-18, And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “How did you fare, my daughter?” Then she told her all that the man had donefor her, saying, “These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said to me, ‘You must not go back empty-handed to your mother-in-law.’” She replied, “Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest but will settle the matter today.”

Boaz is a good man / honorable….

He will take care of this matter….

They can trust him….

After a really smart presentation to a closer relative…. Who turns down the opportunity….

Boaz agrees to redeem the property / Naomi / Ruth.

Boaz marries Ruth and they have a baby boy….

Naomi gets to help raise her grandson….

And at the end of the story, we find out that this child is the granddaddy to King David…. In the lone of Jesus!

Boaz could easily have taken advantage…. But he didn’t….

He protected / delivered / rescued / redeemed.

Small Groups:  

Text Lesson / questions to leaders.

Lesson:  

If our masculinity isn’t pointing to Jesus… We’re doing it wrong.

Questions:

Is there anything in my relationships that takes advantage of others?

How well does my life point to Christ?

How can we pray for you?

Who do you know that needs this group?

Next Week: Samuel (1st & 2nd Samuel)