Naomi, Ruth and Boaz (Part B)

Yeah that's so those beautiful verses on magnets, coffee mugs in the Scripture when it comes time to really face the Dragon when he so close you can smell his breath is another story and yet the righteous have implemented over the centuries and have prevailed, waiting for God strength not an when were just too weak.

Often times, God just takes alternatives out just nothing you can do this is cross reference radio with our pastor and teacher Rick Gaston. Rick is the pastor of Calvary Chapel Mechanicsville. Pastor Rick is currently teaching through the book of Ruth. Please stay with us after today's message to hear more information about cross reference radio, specifically how you can get a free copy of this teaching, Naomi, Ruth and Boaz is the title of Pastor Rick's message today. He'll be teaching in Ruth chapter 3 now Naomi again knowing that Boaz probably did not dreamed that Ruth would be interested in him and he's going to be surprised to find out that she is there and this is going to just make them the story more romantic. So reading again verse seven and after Boaz eaten and drunk in his heart was cheerful.

He went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain, and she came softly and uncovered his feet. He went to lie down and there she is and why will point this out. The Bible has no problem exposing sin or things that are have an appearance of evil. There's nothing in this that is sinful or has an appearance of evil.

I think I touched on that briefly. A moment ago, and I pointed out, because again some of the Bible study Bibles that you have or maybe even commentators may suggest that and again they they have nothing to base that off of.

They try to say will the Hebrew word could mean this to in it that that's that's not I part with them there. You may simply part with a lot of people say I don't play well with others. Verse eight I do in the in another room but verse eight now it happened at midnight that the man was startled and turned himself in. Their woman was lying at his feet. So now it's late, there's a timestamp and he startled because his feet got cold and again the Hebrew give space for this, and he turned himself in to cover his feet back up but there's a woman lying there.

It would've been inappropriate if she were lying next to him is nothing wrong was she lying at his feet, where she uncovered where he's going to go when he just rises up to put the covers back on his feet forcefully for her.

He wasn't a kicker. So again that Hebrew word for startled indicates that he was in a pretty good sleep when he comes out of it and what are the odds he wakes up and is a person there. Verse nine and he said who are you so she answered I am Ruth, your maidservant take your maidservant under your wing. You are close relative who are you and low visibility.

It's midnight. Plus, she's not. She doesn't look the way she looks all the time as a combination of things with make that a valid question. She answered I am Ruth, your maidservant, moonlight enough for him to verify that instantly and appreciate her preparation and his heart sure must've been beating a little bit faster one of those moments were. I never drive you know I did I dream you would be here and that you are happy about this is in. Then she makes his request which refers which she says take your maidservant under your wing for you are close relative. She uses the language that Boaz used her to her chapter 2 verse 12.

If you have your Bibles open the Lord repay your work.

He said to her, and a full reward be given you by the Yahweh, God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge while she's asking for refuge. She is saying.

Will you be the Redeemer.

You're the near kinsman. This is a legal request that she is making and again night. I don't think there's anything cultural about her, uncovering his feet. I think is just good sense and verse 10. Now then he said, blessed are you of Yahweh. My daughter, for you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich. Been thinking about these things and he you know Blessed are you of Yahweh. My daughter and this flash of realization that sweeps across his heart in his mind outcomes. This burst of joy in in the Lord and he just shows it was the first thing on his mind. When we just delete is elated by this is Yahweh as he had been restraining himself. Now he's is letting some of his love burst forward. The odds were stacked against him. He's an older man, probably old enough to be her father and is it because that's what his references to the review didn't go after the younger man for your show more kindness at the end than at the beginning.

Some people have a problem with you know an older man marrying a younger is nobody's business of their adult anyway, for you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning.

I think he was saying you have. You could have, you know, pursued other opportunities. There were ways around you started out just so well with taking care of Noah, Naomi, and yet you have come to me if It in the family, as the Scripture certainly wants us to do this we could've said, and again ways as I'd been in that you did not go after the young men, whether poor or rich, he is saying.

I didn't think I had a chance. I think that's his way of saying that Boaz may have been a widow himself, maybe. And if that is the case, that would account for much of his extraordinary care for Naomi and Ruth verse 11 and now my daughter do not fear I will do for you all that you request for all the people of my town know that you are virtuous woman. That's right, he's going to protect that people know she is a virtuous woman he accepts is what he is saying you want me to legally step in and marry you. I accepted, and is more of course we going to get to that recess for all the people of my town know that you are virtuous woman will let Sampson was strengths used to virtue perhaps perhaps Proverbs 3110 who can find a virtuous wife or her worth is far above rubies. Perhaps the writer of that proverb had Ruth and mine because there is a virtuous woman who can find a Boaz can find her and he just did so will just pause here for minute with some support versus Proverbs 22 verse one a good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving friend favor rather than silver and gold will Ruth had that but she still could use a little bit more income.

It's okay.

I got the virtue but I'm starving to death. A lot doesn't work well but then we have to move it into the New Testament like Titus chapter 2 sound speech that cannot be condemned that one who is an opponent, may be ashamed. Having nothing evil to say of you that won't stop them from lying. That's what a slanderer and a devil does. You can be blameless, but they'll still make something up. Although slanted in some way, but overall the decent people will not be attacking. So you consider the source. You have the same coming from you.

You know when someone hurling insults at you that aren't justified you communities. They were coming from your really doesn't matter coming from somebody of a higher caliber.

It would be burden. John is third letter in the 12th verse John says of Demetrius Demetrius has a good testimony from all and from the truth itself. We also bear witness so what I'm just pointing out is that a virtuous wife, virtuous life whether it is in man or woman is something that registers with God registers with the Holy Spirit what is the alternative, and many do grow toward the alternative and the fight is on verse 12. Now it is true that I am a close relative. However, there is a relative closer than I fly in the ointment nailed know me. She apparently missed this would not a strike against her ambitiously walk around with another family tree in her hand and but is she's missed this. It seems there was someone else that could been of the kind and noble man like just like Boaz and by law. He stood in first position.

He gets the first right to you, Ruth. That's what he is saying is a close relative. Now these widows they could marry. First, only into the family couldn't go outside if they were in close proximity to the kinsman a minute cover that in a moment the sliver right law that they were subject to, but the closer relative would have first rights of redemption and this would be a brother or an uncle or cousin is clearly stated in Leviticus 25 versus 4849 if you want to verify that a look at up.

We don't know the exact relationship of Boaz or the other kinsman to a limb elect it's left out of the story and it first shows up in Genesis.

In Genesis 36 verses six through 10 and their Judas to wicked sons, and all man took advantage of a woman in and God dealt with them and so this law is given to protect the widows and the because they were often neglected victimize and abused. And in that part of the world, probably on the parts to Deuteronomy 25, five if brothers dwell together and one of them dies and has no son, the widow of the dead man shall not be married to a stranger outside the family. Her husband's brother shall go to her, take her as his wife and perform the duty of the husband's brother to her, and so the requirements were the brothers need to be in close proximity to each other. I mean, if you know if he was destined to help thousand miles away skimming it happen widow was to be without a son. And so for those two requirements have been fulfilled.

The other was the brother had to want to do it and that's the one that Boaz is hoping will disqualify the one in first position.

What I like. Also about Boaz here is that he does not withhold from Ruth. The deal breaking possibility at the very beginning from the beginning. He is forthright with her. He says we got a face facts.

If it were just a matter of me just becoming the Redeemer and taking you the goal L that I would but cannot.

Another is in position and he has the power to make our hopes vanish, because now it's clear there. You know they want to be with each other are the lessons of the Bible there for every age and every culture within not for every religion except in their call and it's called for them to repent and convert verse 13 he continues to tell her to stay this night and in the morning.

It shall be that if he will perform the duty of a close relative for you. Good let them do so. But if he does not want to perform the duty for you, then I will perform the duty for you as Yahweh lives lie down until morning. So there he says is facing the facts.

He may say yet the other guy may say yes and then that's good. We've obeyed the law and that's God's will and is nothing we can do about that, but maybe not knees not sending her home in the middle of the night was dangerous and dark existing just lie down in the morning you can go how do you know how you sleep all this going on a book of them had a voice, probably exhaustively hard to dwell in both of them. I don't know. Interestingly again I like the human parts of the stories because this was real and they lived just like we lived facing pleasant and unpleasant things like, well, he says, but if he does not want to perform his duty than I will perform it.

That is a binding oath and when he again says lie down until morning. The question I ask is, why bother just to stay up telling stories for the rest of the night was going to sleep.

I probably did form to survey verse 14 so she lay at his feet, until morning and she arose before one could recognize another then he said do not let it be known that the woman came to the threshing floor, so she lay this fetal morning interesting. It doesn't say she slap Socrates.

I don't know we don't know, but she arose before the sun came up was still dark. This is without alarm clocks internal clock.

He is concerned for her reputation. Then he said do not let it be known that the woman came to the threshing floor he speaking to others to the servants, no question about that just being Ruth, though she's not a party yet, at least, the narrator will is not finished with her before she leaves. He's going to Little Rock with grain, verse 15 dwell back to this again. Do not let it be known that the woman came to the threshing floor. He again is like this is nobodies business and his workers that they apparently honor this because the story doesn't burst forth later on. You remember when Christ told someone he had healed although telling anybody and he told every body in the Pistorius may put that in the story.

I think of these men without gossip they would have.

It would've been in the story.

The interesting thing is that reflects on how they had this wonderful relationship with Boaz. He said don't do it.

They said okay that came out in the early part of chapter 2 when he would come to the field and then the would say the Lord be with you in the Lord bless you Lord be with you, they would respondent and I did. I just really like this I want to be a man like Boaz and I want his name, who would not want to be a man like this among men and who would not want to be like we have the virtues of Ruth and Naomi among the women verse 15. Also, he said bring the shawl that is on you and hold it and when she held it he measured six defaults of barley and laid it on her and then she went into the city center away with the blessing is doesn't want her to go hungry, and this is what I meant. She still in the story before she goes. He make sure she gets this blessing when he says bring the shawl that is on you and hold it out.

Doesn't he know this is her best dress doesn't he care method of wood grain. Don't you have a bucket of plastic or paper, but I will when I used to be essay questions of whatever irks the liberals that's what I want. I would bid on S.

Meaning, anyway. He gave provisions. This is another New Testament moment James chapter 2 if a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food and one of you says of them depart in peace, be warmed and filled, but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit was used to sing God bless you and the guys starving to death.

Well here in verse 15. Of course it's tied to verse 16, which we are reading now. When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, is that you, my daughter. Then she told her all that the man had done for her. Perhaps it's still dark inside the house. The sun is not high enough for the shadows to go away or may be Naomi's picked up she can see. Maybe this light is there, she can see Ruth and Ruth is glowing is excited and Ruth is like is that you is this kind of going the way with that commentators can add 50 other reasons to it not. I know I do talk about them.

I would not have any understanding of the Scripture.

Like I have now were not for commentators on bad mouthing them across the board. When very great men grew very great work. But remember, you always have the right to disagree with them, not me them joking well in verse 17 and she said these six evolves of barley. He gave me for he said to me, do not go empty-handed to your mother-in-law not reference this early that he's got Naomi in mind, not just Ruth and I would been nice if the historian put up a few verses there is, and that's the kind of man, multiple Boaz was at it I think he just had a liking for the underdog for for Naomi and even if he didn't, he's going to look out for them in any way he could.

The six defaults well really the exact measurement is not known at six and were not sure with the exact measurement is, except we know it was enough for her to carry and this is a little bit more than when she got in chapter 2 verse 17 now verse 18.

Then she said sit still. My daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out for the man will not rest until he has concluded.

The matter this day will this sit still in life is the waiting takes strength to weight the right way. Very easy to mess up the rest your life by not waiting on the whole Hagar thing with Abraham messed up everything for this math for Hagar communicated critical experience because Abraham and Sarah in that case, mainly Sarah couldn't wait for God to do what he promised to do. Moses, when he and the people were trying to get away from the pursuing Farrell and his chariots. Moses said standstill and see the salvation of the Lord right before that God's his wife calling out to me with the picture and that's when Moses was just strengthened. Psalm 4610. Of course, be still know that I'm God yeah that's of those beautiful verses on magnets and coffee mugs and in the Scripture, but when it comes time to really face the Dragon when he so close you can smell his breath is another story and yet the writers have implemented over the centuries and have prevailed, waiting for God needs strength, not weakness in and when were just too weak. Often times, God just takes alternatives out. This is nothing you can do.

I often think about in the New York subway at rush hour. There's nowhere to stand, a member of that you can only stand but is nowhere to fall. I'm serious.

You can't just quit. You can even just drop straight down there so Preston is the symbols cruel and unusual punishment for people trying to get to work or get home you will literally thrust against the walls. If you are in an empty car that is to be instantly filled. So I pointed out because I reflected in times in life when justice is nowhere to go, you can't quit. You can keep going you just stuck in the subway car.

You can even if you collapsed, you would still be standing up in life is like that sometimes will be ready. God is not forgotten you. There is power in the ability to do nothing is try not to interfere with what God is doing. One is out of your hands is out of your hands that I was with Ruth is nothing more she could do and Naomi said sit still. My daughter to worry about this goddess got this again. Naomi just flashes in the story you will what what would Ruth be doing for her to say this, she perhaps saw something in her eyes of doubt and fear with the other guy wants me. I don't even know who he is and the as Golder and thrown the roof centered husband is not to love the husband is to get doesn't matter what Ruth probably lie well I don't agree with her. I would like to love him and she says for the man will not rest until he has concluded. The matter this day see written Naomi. Now it's it's it's official it's been confirmed her earliest suggestions about what you know he's been really nice to you what had more pain over there and Naomi knows, and now it's confirmed he's in love with you. He is fallen deeply in love with you and he is not going to rest until he has settled this issue. It's now in God's hands, but all of the human pieces are in place is nothing more we can do. We done it right. How refreshing it is to be able to say we did it the right way.

We just trusted God. If we started off wrong. We buckled it down. We stopped going in the wrong direction. We fix that and we just waited for God. God is a God who looks for solutions is not preoccupied with condemning us yeah if you do wrong is not going to say good boy is is you know you gotta deal with that in face those facts were once the facts are faced. God is now ready to start the processes to bring about a solution that does not mean is going to necessarily be painless and it could be painless because of your own neglect. You made the mistake you knew better you did it anyway or the there are things in this life that we just can't understand the arrow is beyond us and it falls to us to accept it and to try to make it work in the midst of it. I mean there just countless things in life you say God, why, why, why do Christians have children born to them that have problems and also levels. I mean some communal birth from birth. Some is that you require to me justice is all sorts of things and that's what faith is all about. Otherwise would need faith, why would we even talk about it. The man will not rest until he has concluded this matter this day and that's the same with Jesus Christ. That's what happened when they challenged him about the Sabbath.

He said my father works and I worked until now to business Sabbath in the place of human suffering. That's what Jesus was and how he answered them, they must conclude the matter and she sure that Boaz will do whatever you can for her waiting game begins to move. Thanks for tuning in to cross reference radio for this study in the book of Ruth cross reference is the teaching ministry of Pastor Rick Gaston of Calvary Chapel Mechanicsville in Virginia to learn more about this ministry.

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