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The engagement… (3 things)
Preparing ourselves for the day when we will see Him face to face!
1st – An arragned marriage…vs. 1-4 (3 things) Read: Ruth 3:1-4
1st – Naomi told Ruth it was time to get married… vs. 1
According to the customs of the ‘middle east’ – it was a parent who chose your spouse…
Naomi saw the blossoming relationship between Ruth and Boaz – and it was time…
Ruth had come to believe in the God of Israel – she was saved…
But it was not just about going to Heaven – there was a love story unfolding…
So often when we talk about Jesus – we only think about being saved from hell…
But not only does God want us all to go to heaven – II Peter 3:9
God created us with a desire to have a loving relationship with Him…
Eternal life – true life – only comes from knowing God personally…
John 17:3 – “And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.”
2nd – Naomi gave Ruth some practical advice to help her prepare…
Take and bath and – put on some perfume – a new dress…
This is good advice for anyone going on a date – make yourself ‘pretty’…
Amazingly most of us when we came to Jesus – we were nothing much to look at…
Song of Solomon 1:6 – “Do not look down on me… because my complexion is so dark. The sun has burned my skin… Now see what it has done to me!”
We bear the marks / the scars of poor decisions / mistakes we have made…
Years of being lost in the world – has left the dark stain of sin on us…
But God does not see us as we are – He sees us robed in the righteousness of Jesus…
Song of Solomon 4:1-2, 7 – “How beautiful you are, my beloved, how beautiful! You are so beautiful, my beloved, so perfect in every part.”
God does not see us in light of our sin – He sees us as we will one day be…
He sees us a beautiful / perfect / spotless / pure – He sees us in the light of Jesus!
He thinks of us constantly – and cannot wait till the day we are re-united…
Psalms 138:17-18 – “How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I counted them… more in number than the sand.”
3rd – Naomi also gave Ruth very unusual advice…
Ruth was to go to the threshing floor (where they separated the wheat from chaff)…
It was the end of the harvest so Boaz would be there working…
Ruth was to hide herself till after dinner – then go and lie down at Boaz’ feet…
This seems a bit odd to us – at the very least very ‘forward’ on the part of Ruth…
It is certainly not an example a young woman should follow today…
If you want to marry a guy – do not go and lie down at the feet of his bed!
Naomi was instructing Ruth on the Law of redemption…
According to Deuteronomy 25:7-10 – Ruth could have demanded Boaz marry her…
If Boaz had refused Ruth had the right to take him to the elders of the city…
If he still refused he had to remove his shoe – and Ruth would spit in his face…
From then on he would be known as the man ‘whose sandal was pulled off…
The idea of lying down at his feet was a sign of humility…
Ruth did not want to force Boaz to do anything – she was giving him the choice…
Ruth went at night so if Boaz refused – he would not be disgraced…
God has opened up the way for anyone to have this relationship with Him…
And He pursues us – blessing us – drawing us to Him by His goodness – Romans 2:4
But God will not force us to accept Him – we have to choose…
Revelation 22:17 – “The Spirit [says]… ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’”
You cannot force Love – like any good ‘love story’ – we have to fall for God!
2nd – The engagement…vs. 5-13 (4 things) Read: Ruth 3:5-13
1st – Ruth had a choice – to obey / or to go her own way… vs. 5-6
Ruth did not question the advice of Naomi – she obeyed…
She went down to the threshing floor THAT NIGHT – and followed the instructions…
If Ruth had chosen not to listen – she would not have married Boaz!
Naomi is a picture of the Word of God…
The Word gives us explicit instructions on how to have a relationship with God…
We are saved by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ – Ephesians 2:8-9
We can choose to follow those instructions – or we can go our own way…
We might think if we have a membership at a certain church…
Or if we our best to live our lives being a good person – God will accept us…
The problem is the only way to get to know Jesus – is by following His Word!
Romans 3:30 – “There is only one God, and there is only one way of being accepted by him. He makes people right with himself only by faith!”
2nd – Boaz went to sleep in the field… vs. 7-9
Ruth quietly went up to him and lay down at his feet…
Around midnight Boaz woke up – and was surprised to see someone there…
Likely as not Boaz was staying there to guard the harvest – sleeping in the open…
So he demanded to know who was there – perhaps thinking a thief…
Ruth revealed herself – ‘Spread your ‘wing’ over me – for you are my redeemer’…
The picture of a baby chicken – which runs under the wing of their mothers…
Ruth was asking Boaz if he wanted to fulfill his duty – and redeem her…
Take Ruth under his wing / under his protection – make her his wife!
God wants to take us under His protection – provide for all our needs…
Psalm 91:4 – “He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.”
The question is do we run to Him in our times of trouble / seek His help…
The one place where we can be safe – from sin and the trials of this world – is in Jesus!
3rd – The response of Boaz… vs. 10-11
The Lord bless you my daughter (Boaz was older than Ruth)!
Ruth was showing great loyalty to Naomi and her family by offering to marry Boaz…
She was apparently a VERY beautiful woman and had her choice of suitors…
She could have married a young man – whether rich or poor…
I am sure the thought had crossed Ruth’s mind – she had options…
But instead choose to honor Naomi – her family – by marrying within the family!
We all must choose who/what we chase after in this life – what we live for…
And the things of this world can seem very tempting to us…
But there is a hole in every man’s heart – left there by God – which only He can fill…
We would spend our whole lives in vain trying to fill that hole with worldly things…
Money – relationships – family – alcohol – drugs – only to be satisfied for a moment…
Only Jesus satisfies the desire of our heart – we will only be content in Him!
Boaz was more than willing to take Ruth as his wife…
Everyone knew – the whole town – that Ruth was a virtuous woman…
What kind of reputation do we have around town – what are we know for…
Are we famous around town for gambling /drinking /gossiping…
Or are we known for those who follow Jesus – those who serve the Lord!
Proverbs 22:1 – “Choose a good reputation over great riches…”
4th – There was one problem… vs. 12-13
Boaz was not the closest relative to Ruth – there was one man who was closer…
Deuteronomy 25:7-10 – the brother or the closest relative is to marry the widow…
It is obvious Boaz had done his homework – he also wanted to marry Ruth…
Jesus did His research – He knew the cost of redemption – Revelation 13:8…
He knew the only way to save us from Hell – was for Him to die on the cross…
But Boaz assured Ruth he would take care of it – he would talk to the man…
If he was willing to redeem/marry Ruth – then so be it…
If not then – ‘as the Lord lives’ – I will marry you!
Jesus did it all – He was even willing to lay down His life to redeem us…
Philippians 2:7-8 – “He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal’s death on a cross.”
I find this staggering to consider – how much God love you and I…
Think of how much we are worth – we were purchased by the life of Jesus!
3rd – Waiting on the Lord…vs. 14-18 (3 things) Read: Ruth 3:14-18
1st – Ruth waited till morning – then slipped away before dawn… vs. 14
Neither of them wanted to start a scandal if she was seen with Boaz…
Even though what they did was completely innocent – people make assumptions…
I often see young men and women alone together – and it is not wise…
Even if they were just ‘talking’ – other people do not know that…
If you saw a boy and a girl waling out of any empty house together – innocent…
Do not be alone with a boy/girl – do not go into a room by yourself – stay in public…
II Thessalonians 5:22 – “Stay away from all appearance of evil.”
2nd – Boaz gave a gift to Ruth before she left… vs. 15-16
He poured 18 liters of corn into her shawl and sent her on her way…
It was his guarantee to Ruth that he would finish the work of redeeming her…
If you want to get married – you give for future wife an engagement ring…
It is the guarantee – the promise to her that you will for sure marry her…
Jesus bought and paid for us with the cross – I Corinthians 6:20
And He has gave us His Holy Spirit – as a ‘down payment’…
It’s His guarantee He will be back for us to finish the work of us as His church!
Until that time – until we are in heaven – He ‘seals’ us with His Spirit…
It is the same ‘seal’ God uses to bind satan for 1000 years – Revelation 20:3
We are sealed – safe & sound – till the day we arrive in heaven as God’s people!
3rd – When Ruth arrived home Naomi asked – ‘Is that you my daughter?’
Naomi knew it was Ruth – what she wanted to know is if she was Boaz wife…
When Naomi heard what Boaz had said – she told Ruth to be patient…
Boaz would not rest until he had followed through – he would settle it today!
Jesus told us He is going to take care of everything – then come back for us…
But its easy for us to forget this is no longer our home – we are waiting to go home…
Do not settle in – do not get comfortable – we are no going to be here for very long!
Hebrews 11:16 – “Looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God… has prepared a heavenly city for them.”
We have a ‘long distance engagement’ – it is easy for us to get distracted…
It is important we take the time to kindle our love for God…
Spending time with Jesus through His Word – and through prayer…
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