Good morning, everyone.
Good morning.
We're going to read from Ruth, Chapter 3.
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.
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.
He said, Who are you?
And she answered, I am Ruth, your servant.
Spread your wings over your servant,
for you are a redeemer.
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.
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 redeem you, 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.
So she lay at his feet until the morning,
but arose before one could recognise 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.
And when she came to her mother-in-law,
she said, How did you fare, my daughter?
Then she told her all about the man had done for 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.
All right, good morning, everyone.
Thank you, Rob.
My name is Dave.
I'm one of the pastors at the church here.
Well, the story of Ruth is a feel-good story, isn't it?
It's nothing like the horror stories in the book of Judges.
In Ruth, no character does anything evil towards other people,
but instead we see Boaz shine with his kindness
and Ruth with her loyalty to Naomi.
It does start with tragedy, but with each step,
our anticipation grows for a satisfying, happy ending.
It's got the appeal of a rags-to-riches story.
Ruth is empty with nothing and no hope,
but she rises up until she is full,
and not just full with food, as we'll see next week.
And here in Chapter 3...
Oh, Dave.
Here in Chapter 3, with Cinderella in our heads
and all the rom-coms that we've been binge-watching in lockdown,
we sense a bit of a love story going on.
Boaz and Ruth seem to have a deep admiration
for each other's faithfulness to the Lord.
This is a feel-good story.
Ruth is amazing.
But it offers us so much more.
A barrier we have to unlocking all the riches of this story
is that it assumes what God's ancient people, Israel,
understood in their bones since birth.
As Israelites, they knew they were the descendants of Abraham,
whom God promised to you and your offspring,
I will give this land.
I will be your God.
Whoever blesses you, I will bless.
Whoever curses you, I will curse.
They were God's chosen and special people,
inheriting God's promises.
They were the ones whom God redeemed out of slavery in Egypt,
becoming God's treasured possession,
living with God in the land.
And here comes the scandal that's at the heart of this story.
Their neighbours, the Moabites,
they are the descendants of Moab,
a son born out of incest,
we hear in Genesis chapter 19.
Talk about skeletons in your family history.
And the scandal gets worse.
In Deuteronomy 23, the Lord commands his people,
no Moabite may enter the assembly of the Lord,
even to the 10th generation.
None of them may enter the assembly of the Lord forever,
because they did not meet you with bread and with water on the way
when you came out of Egypt.
And the other reason given is that Moab tried to curse Israel.
You shall not seek their peace,
all their prosperity,
all your days,
forever.
Do you see the scandal of Ruth,
the Moabite,
coming to the land of Israel,
hoping to find rest,
a home,
God's community,
a family,
a future,
belonging to God
and the blessings of his presence.
This Moabite
has zero right
to the promises
of the descendants of Abraham.
She has zero right
to be near to God
in the land.
She has zero right
to expect to belong
to his people.
And she has every reason
to expect
the curse of God.
no peace,
no prosperity,
no rest forever.
Do you feel the scandal
at the heart of the story of Ruth?
What's going to happen?
What will happen
if Ruth draws near
to this God
and his people?
In my mind,
it seems like
entering
the lion cage
at a zoo
and hoping
to be welcomed in.
chapter 3,
it's not
a Cinderella story.
It's more scandalous
than that.
And I think
it raises this question.
How does the Lord
respond
to the unworthy
person
who approaches
him
to find rest?
how does the Lord
respond?
You should be very
interested in the answer
to this question
because we have a lot
in common with Ruth.
Listen to what
God says about
each one of us
who aren't Jewish
in Ephesians
chapter 2,
verse 12.
Remember
that you were
at that time
separated from
Christ,
alienated
from the
commonwealth
of Israel
and strangers
to the
covenants
of promise,
having no hope
and without
God
in the world.
And just a few
verses earlier,
we're told
that because
of the way
each of us
has lived,
we deserve
God's wrath.
I remember
this time
when I was
a young boy
and I had
done something
I knew my
parents would
be angry at
and they
found out
about it.
And I was
really afraid
to leave
my bedroom
to go to
the kitchen
for breakfast
with my
family.
Would they
be angry?
Would they
be disappointed?
Would they
look at me
and talk to
me with
affection
ever again?
And so I
hid in my
bedroom for
quite a while.
Even though
we're told
to come to
God no matter
what we've
done,
I think we
can feel
like that
little boy
hiding in
his room.
maybe there's
a moral
failure in
your past
that is
big in
your mind
and you
just don't
think God
could forgive
that sin.
Maybe it's
just a general
sense that
no one could
love you.
So it's too
hard to believe
that God
loves you.
Maybe you've
just learnt
bit by bit
growing up
in this harsh
world that
you're
better off
if you
never
ever
let your
guard down.
Whatever the
case, if we
are to find
rest, we
need to know
the answer
to Ruth's
question.
How does
the Lord
respond to
the unworthy
person who
approaches him
to find rest
in his
presence?
So let's
watch Ruth
closely to
find out.
The focus
in chapter
two was
on Boaz,
his identity
and kindness
as the
redeemer.
And chapter
three focuses
on Ruth and
her daring
approach of
Boaz.
So far,
Ruth and
Naomi have
been provided
protection and
food security,
but what
happens to
them as the
harvest comes
to an end.
In verses
one to six,
the scene
opens with
Naomi instructing
Ruth with a
daring, even
scandalous scheme,
and we're told
the goal is
the goal.
My daughter,
should I not
seek rest for
you that it
may be well
with you?
She could
have told her
to pursue a
young Israelite,
perhaps a rich
one with good
standing in the
community.
But Naomi
wants Ruth to
have an even
deeper rest
by being
obedient to
God's word
and seeking
out a
family, a
kinsman
redeemer.
You see,
God's law
provided a way
back for those
cut off from
his presence.
So if a
husband dies
without having
an heir,
it was the
obligation of
his surviving
brother to
purchase the
land and
marry the
widow.
And the
firstborn son
carried on the
name of the
dead husband,
continuing his
family name in
the land.
But our
question still
remains, does
this promise of
redemption and
rest apply to
this Moabite?
Naomi wants
rest for
Ruth and
Ruth wants a
baby boy to
carry on the
name of
Naomi's
family.
But the
way to
seek redemption
is going to
be really
risky.
Naomi tells
Ruth, go
tonight to
the threshing
floor where
they get the
grain out of
the harvest.
in Hosea
9 verse
1, it
appears that
threshing
floors could
have prostitutes
and drunken
revelry.
Boaz,
however, we
know he
fears the
Lord, so we
expect his
threshing
floor to be
different.
But still,
for Ruth to
be asked to
go to the
threshing
floor at
night, if
she is seen
by anyone,
her intentions
will be
instantly
suspected.
If she
had any
good reputation
as a
Moabite, it
would be
lost forever.
And then
the plan is
wash and
put perfume
on and
your best
cloak.
This is a
picture of
a bride
preparing
herself.
What Ruth
wants from
Boaz will
be obvious,
getting
straight to
the point.
And then
watch where
Boaz lays
down to
sleep and
then go
uncover his
legs and
lay with
him.
That picture
in the
children's
story just
captured the
awkwardness and
wrongness of
that scene.
Is this a
plan to
seduce Boaz?
A plan to
force him to
marry Ruth?
to lay
down is
repeated so
many times in
this chapter.
It is used
in the
Bible as
an idiom
for
intercourse.
But what
we're going to
see is that
despite the
sexual
possibilities,
nothing
immoral
occurs,
quite the
opposite.
Seduction is
not the
plan here.
So why
the secrecy
at night?
Perhaps it's
to give
Boaz no
pressure to
agree to
marry Ruth.
He can
reject Ruth
while saving
face in the
community.
And perhaps
it's also to
cause no
scandal because
there is
another
redeemer.
But this
plan is very
direct.
Ruth will
be wanting
from Boaz
marriage,
but it's
very risky.
Ruth has
to go all
in with
Boaz,
which
highlights
Ruth's
incredible
faith.
We're told
she did
just as
her mother
in law
had
commanded
her.
Ruth is
forsaking
any other
hope of
security in
this life
and pinning
all her
future on
Boaz and
ultimately on
the Lord.
In
verse 6
to 15,
we go to
the threshing
floor.
Ruth is
hiding in
the dark,
waiting for
Boaz to
go to
bed.
She is
putting
herself at
great risk
of the
young male
workers
there,
risking being
caught or
much worse.
She is
letting go
of all
other
securities
she could
have.
After
Boaz
finishes
eating and
drinking,
he goes
by himself
away from
the workers
to the
far side
of the
heap of
grain.
Ruth softly
approaches
him.
She
uncovers
his legs
and lay
down at
his feet.
This scene
is so
intimate.
To uncover
his feet
and legs,
to lay
with him
in secret
in the
dark.
It is
just Boaz
and Ruth
here.
She has
placed herself
in such
an incredibly
vulnerable
position.
When it
got cold
at midnight,
Boaz
wakes up
and he
is utter
shock.
He
notices a
woman lying
with him.
What is
he going
to do?
It
appears
that Boaz
does not
permit women
at his
threshing
floor.
Will he
abide by
his own
rules?
Will he
take
advantage
of her
vulnerability?
If he's
overtaken
with desire
as the
boss,
he could
get away
with it.
Or if
he's
concerned
with his
own
honour,
he might
sound an
alarm and
drive her
out and
put it
a shame
in a
way that
would stick
to her
name
forever.
But he
has the
presence of
mind to
find out
what's
going on.
And this
begins the
whispered and
intimate
conversation.
Who are
you?
Boaz
asked.
In
chapter
two,
bowing at
his feet,
she humbled
herself,
claiming she
wasn't even
worthy to
be called
his servant
because she
was a
Moabite.
But her
reply here
is an
amazing
expression
of faith
in her
redeemer.
I am
Ruth,
your
servant.
Spread
your wings
over your
servant,
for you are
a redeemer.
wings means
the corner
of your
garment,
what they
use for
their
blanket.
Spread
your
blanket
over me.
Bring
me into
the warmth
of your
intimacy,
under your
protection,
providing me
security and
a future
for me
and Naomi's
family.
Boaz,
you should
marry me.
How
presumptuous
does this
sound coming
from a
Moabite?
She is
well aware
she has
come from
the enemies
of God's
people,
but she
knows God's
law that
promises the
nearest brother
will redeem
a childless
widow,
bringing her
under his
care,
under his
wings.
She's
saying to
Boaz,
remember that
day in the
field when
you prayed
that the
Lord would
be kind
to me
because I
have come
to take
refuge under
the wings
of the
Lord?
Boaz,
come good
on your
word.
Become the
living expression
of the
Lord spreading
his wings
over me.
So what
will this
redeemer do
with this
unworthy
Moabite?
Will he
take advantage
of her,
quietly turn
her away,
or publicly
put her
to shame?
May you
be blessed
by the
Lord,
my daughter.
He blesses,
he doesn't
curse.
he praises
her faithful,
loving kindness,
the Hebrew
word hesed,
that wonderful
character trait
of the Lord
himself.
Is she
being kind
to an older
Boaz for not
chasing after
younger men?
No doubt
Boaz and
Ruth have a
deep respect
for each
other's
faithfulness and
kindness,
which makes
them so
suitable for
marriage.
the greater
love story
is between
Ruth and
Naomi,
between Ruth
and the
Lord.
Ruth is
seeking
redemption for
herself and
Naomi's family.
And by doing
this, she's
being faithful to
what the Lord
says to do.
and her
all-in
faith,
her
vulnerable
faith
is fully
rewarded.
Do not
fear.
Without
hesitation,
he promises,
I will do
all that you
ask.
Even as a
Moabite,
she is
known in
Bethlehem
as being
a worthy
woman.
She is
a picture
of the
covenant
loyalty that
the Lord
longed for
his rebellious
Israelites to
have towards
him.
But Boaz
also redeems
her the
right way.
He doesn't
take any
shortcuts.
He doesn't
do it
illegitimately.
But as
we'll see
next week,
he does it
in public
with
witnesses.
He
redeems
her
properly.
The
problem
is there's
a closer
relative,
but there's
no guarantee
that this
other man
will give
her rest.
So Boaz
makes this
wonderful,
assuring
promise as
she awaits
the outcome.
As the
Lord lives,
I will
redeem you.
With this
promise,
her heart
can be at
rest.
And then
Boaz
protects her
honour by
doing
absolutely
nothing
inappropriate,
protecting her
from any
outside danger
in the
night,
letting her
sleep until
the morning,
and then
protecting her
honour by
sending her
home in the
early hours of
the morning.
But she
doesn't return
empty.
the
redeemer
gives a
generous
pledge that
he will
fully
come good
on his
promise.
Ruth's
daring
faith in
this
redeemer is
fully
rewarded.
No longer
cut off from
God and
his people,
but having
her redeemer
spread his
garment over
her,
making her
his own.
And in
the final
scene,
Ruth returns
to Naomi.
She literally
asks Ruth,
who are
you,
my daughter?
Her identity
might have
changed overnight
and it
has.
Ruth reports
the good
news and
shows her
the pledge
of the
abundant
grain,
a foretaste
of the
complete
filling to
come.
And the
chapter ends
with the
redeemer
himself,
not
resting
until he
fulfills his
promise.
And as
they wait,
their faith
rests in
the power
and in
the character
of the
redeemer to
do what he
has promised.
Isn't
this a
wonderful
story?
Here we
have this
Moabite,
an enemy
of God's
people,
expressing
the faith
God has
always
desired
from his
people.
The
Lord said
of Israel
in Ezekiel
16 verse
8,
I spread
the corner
of my
garment
over you
and covered
your nakedness.
I made
my vow
to you
and entered
into a
covenant
with you,
declares
the Lord
God,
and you
became
mine.
But Israel
repeatedly
chased
after other
gods and
other things
to give
them rest.
But Ruth
goes to
the Lord
to find
rest.
the story
of Ruth
and Boaz
gives us
such a
warm
picture
of what
it means
for us
today to
have faith
in Christ,
our Redeemer,
and to
find rest
in him.
True
faith
is daring.
Faith
forsakes
all other
things that
offer you
security in
this life.
faith
is personal
and intimate
between you
and your
Redeemer.
Faith
comes to
Christ
completely
vulnerable
before him.
And yet
faith
expectantly
calls on
Christ,
come good
on your
promise.
Forgive
me,
bring me
into your
permanent
covenant
care.
faith
and faith
waits for
your
Redeemer
to fully
make you
his own,
a future
with him,
an inheritance
in the new
heavens and
earth.
Going back
to Ephesians
chapter 2,
remember
that you
were at
that time
separated
from Christ,
alienated,
from the
commonwealth
of Israel
and strangers
to the
covenants
of promise,
having no
hope
and without
God
in the
world.
But now,
but now,
in Christ
Jesus,
you who
were once
far off
have been
brought
near
by the
blood of
Christ.
It is
our
Redeemer's
blood
shed for
us
that should
give you
every
confidence
to come
close to
him in
faith.
how does
the Lord
respond to
the unworthy
person who
approaches him
for rest?
Like
Boaz,
Christ will
never turn
you away.
He will
not put you
to shame.
He will
never use
or mistreat
you,
but he
will spread
the corner
of his
garment
over you
and make
you his
very own.
So what
are you
waiting for?
Would you
pray with me
as we
finish?
Oh,
dear Lord,
we know
slightly,
just a little
bit,
of how
unworthy
we are
to come
near to
you.
Forgive us
for thinking
that we
have any
merit in
ourself
that deserves
your blessing,
but how
we thank
you that
you call
us to
come,
how we
thank you
that you
assure us
that your
character is
good and
that you
will be
gracious to
us when
we come,
that you
will not
turn us
away,
that you
will bring
us into
covenant
relationship
and protection
and blessing,
a sure
future with
you forever.
Lord,
we don't
deserve this.
Help us
trust your
goodness.
Lord,
I pray for
each one of
us,
wherever we're
at,
please give
us confidence
in your
goodness
goodness,
that makes
us able
to come
to you,
be vulnerable
with you
and fully
give ourselves
into your
hands.
We praise
you,
Christ,
for the
blood you
shed for
us,
so that you
might spread
your garment
over us
and make us
yours.
Make us
thankful,
God.
Give us
this faith
that we need.
Give us
this rest.
In Jesus'
name,
Amen.