The Gospel of Ruth - Part 1

Q: What does the Bible say about redemption in the Book of Ruth?

The Book of Ruth illustrates redemption through the figure of Boaz, a kinsman-redeemer who fulfills the legal and covenant obligations to restore and protect Ruth and Naomi. The Book of Ruth beautifully depicts the theme of redemption, particularly through the character of Boaz, who serves as a kinsman-redeemer. In ancient Israel, a kinsman-redeemer had specific responsibilities under the law to protect and provide for family members who had fallen into hardship. In Ruth’s case, both she and her mother-in-law Naomi were widows and without means of support. Boaz embodies the qualities of a true redeemer as he willingly takes on the responsibility to ensure their welfare, demonstrating grace and mercy amidst a world where everyone did what was right in their own eyes, as noted in the context of the Judges (Ruth 1:1). The text highlights not just Boaz's ability to redeem, but his willingness, showcasing how Christ, our ultimate Redeemer, fulfills both aspects perfectly in our lives.

Q: How do we know that God's grace is sufficient?

God's grace is demonstrated in the lives of those He redeems, ensuring their needs are met as illustrated in Ruth's journey of faith. God's grace is profoundly sufficient as it manifests in the tangible needs and spiritual sustenance of His people. In the Book of Ruth, we see Naomi and Ruth, facing despair and loss, yet God orchestrates events that lead them back to Bethlehem, a place where they can receive the blessings of His provision. Ruth's determination to glean in Boaz's field not only highlights her faith but also God's grace that allows her to find favor and sustenance amidst her struggles (Ruth 2:2-3). Ultimately, Boaz’s willingness to redeem Ruth reflects God’s grace toward us—His providential care for His chosen ones and His active role in bringing restoration. Thus, God's grace is not merely theoretical; it is demonstrated in His actions toward us, providing everything we need in life and in faith.

Q: Why is the concept of a kinsman-redeemer important for Christians?

The concept of a kinsman-redeemer is crucial as it symbolizes Christ's redemptive work on our behalf, fulfilling the law and providing salvation. The concept of a kinsman-redeemer in the Book of Ruth is deeply significant for Christians as it serves as a type for Christ’s redemptive work. Boaz, as Ruth's kinsman-redeemer, illustrates the role that Jesus Christ plays as our Redeemer—He is near to us, willingly delivering us from sin and death. According to the law, a kinsman-redeemer had to be related by blood, willing to redeem, and able to fulfill this obligation. Jesus fulfills all these criteria as He took on human form—becoming flesh and blood (Hebrews 2:14)—to pay the penalty for our sins and redeem us (Romans 3:23-26). As Boaz cared for Ruth and Naomi, our Lord cares for us, ensuring our needs are provided for both physically and spiritually. This concept encapsulates the essence of the Gospel: God’s grace and mercy extended to undeserving sinners through Christ’s sacrificial love.

Well, good morning, everyone. If you would open your Bibles with me to John chapter 12. John chapter 12. I just have a short reading, but something's been on my mind all night since we heard those two messages last night. John 12, beginning in verse 20.

And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast. The same came, therefore, to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. And after those two messages last night, hearing of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, I need to see him. And after hearing how the Lord has burned down my barley field, desperately need to see him. So Mike and Todd, sirs, we would see Jesus. I pray Lord bless you as you come preach to us today. Let's bow together.

Our father, we're so thankful to be able to come before your throne and call the God of heaven and earth our father. Father, we've assembled here together as your children Desiring to hear word from thee. Desiring, Father, to be enabled by thy spirit to worship you in spirit and in truth. And Father, I pray that you'd be with both Mike and Todd as they come to preach to us today.

Father, fill them with your spirit in preaching, that they might boldly and clearly preach Christ and him crucified. Enable them to glorify our Savior. And Father, be with us as we hear. Fill us with your spirit that we might hear and believe, hear with the ear of faith and believe with the heart of faith the things of our Lord Jesus Christ that we hear preached. Father, we pray you'd bless us this morning for Christ's sake.

It's in his blessed name, his glory we pray. Hey, if you would, turn in your hymnal to song number 296 and stand as we sing, All the Way My Savior Leads Me. 296. All the way my Savior leads me, what have I to ask beside? Can I doubt His tender mercy? who through life has been my guide. Heavenly peace, divinest comfort, here by faith in him to dwell.

For I know what e'er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well. For I know what e'er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well. All the way my Savior leads me, cheers each winding path I tread, gives me grace for feeds me with the living bread. Though my weary steps may falter, and my soul a thirst may be, Gushing from the rock before me, lo, a spring of joy I see. Gushing from the rock before me, lo, a spring of joy I see. All the way my Savior leads me, O the fullness of His love. Perfect rest to me is promised in my Father's house above. When my spirit clothed immortal, Wings its flight to realms of day. This my song through endless ages. Jesus led me all the way. This my song through endless ages. Jesus led me all the way. Okay, you may be seated. If you would now turn in your hymnal to song number 318, I Need Thee Every Hour, 318. I need thee every hour, most gracious Lord. No tender voice like thine can peace afford.

I need Thee, oh, I need Thee. Every hour I need Thee. Oh, bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee. I need thee every hour, stay thou nearby. Temptations lose their power when thou art nigh. I need Thee, O I need Thee, every hour I need Thee. O bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee. I need thee every hour in joy or pain. Come quickly and abide or life is vain. I need Thee, O I need Thee, every hour I need Thee. O bless me now, my Savior, I come to thee. I need thee every hour, most holy one. Oh, make me thine indeed. Thou blessed Son. I need Thee, O I need Thee. Every hour I need Thee. O bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee.

Well, our first speaker this morning, Pastor Mike Walker, pastor of the Millsite Baptist Church in Cottageville, West Virginia. Mike needs no introduction here. He's a dear, dear brother, preached here many times. Mike, I look forward to hearing what the Lord's given you.

It's good to see everyone. I hope I can say for everyone, last night was amazing. It's always amazing to meet with the Lord's people, but when, it seems like he visits us in a special way. I tried to preach a couple weeks ago on it, when God visits his people. Joshua, I mean Joseph told him he said one day you're gonna leave this place It's gonna be several hundred years from now, but one day you're gonna leave and you know when you're gonna leave He said God's gonna visit you and he brought them out My prayer is that God would visit with us this evening May's and messages last night just truly still does bless my heart.

I God's men are just men, frail creatures. We have this treasure in an earthen vessel. But the excellency of the power may be of God in all of us. Let me say this. You can read, you can study, you can meditate, you can research, and you think, boy, I got a message. And the message is there. The message is Christ. An example.

Last night, our brother stood up, the first speaker, and he said, if you would, turn to 2 Corinthians. And he says, well, he's close. He's in the book. Then he says, I want you to turn in that book to chapter 8. And I'm going, oh. Then he's not finished there. He said, now turn to verse 9.

What do you think that I've been studying on all week? You go, there was a reason why that happened. I'm glad I got to hear Brother Tom bring that message that was better than anything I had read, that I had looked up, or I had even tried to imagine.

That verse is so great. Our God is so great. He is rich in mercy. Just try to describe His riches. Someone had a title of a message, A Rich Man Poor and a Poor Man Rich. Describe, define that. That's our Lord. I want you to turn to Matthew chapter one just for a minute, and then I want us to turn back to the book of Ruth. I pray the Lord speak to us. He's given us his word. This record, this history, his story, how God saved sinners.

The book of Matthew, chapter one, verse one, the book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begat Isaac, and Isaac begat Jacob, and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren, and Judas, or Judah, begat Phares of Zarah, of Tamar. Remember that story. Judah gave his son to Tamar.

He said, the Lord killed his son. He gave him a second son. The Lord killed him. He said, I ain't giving her my third son. And the son was grown, and he didn't. So you know what Tamar did? She played the harlot. This was his daughter-in-law. And you know what happened? She conceived and had twins.

And the one that God chose, the younger one, was Phares. So from that union came Phares. who beget Esron, and Esron beget Amgram, and Aram beget Abinadad, and Abinadad beget Nasson, and Nasson beget Salmon, and Salmon beget Boaz of Rahab, and Boaz beget Obed of Ruth. In those verses he mentions three women, one that played the harlot, Rahab the harlot, then a woman named Ruth.

Lord, give us this book. It may be small in size, but it sets forth that principle. We must have a redeemer. Judah knew that when his firstborn son died, he was responsible under the law of God to give his second son. Then under the law, it was the responsibility when that son died to take the responsibility of the kinsman redeemer and to redeem that family. Judah would not do it. God's hands are not tied. God's ways are not our ways. So here in this book of Ruth, let's begin in verse 1 of chapter 1.

If you've got your Bible open there, if you just look back on the next page, the last verse, because this happens in the time when the judges rule. And in those days, verse 25 of Judges 21, There was no king in Israel. And when there was no king in Israel, what was the results of this? Everyone, every man did that which was right in his own eyes. And in this book, we're gonna see how God gonna bring his son, the Lord Jesus Christ, into this world who is king and rules over all things. And it came to pass, Ruth chapter one, verse one. in the days when the judges ruled.

What happened? There was a famine. Reminding me of a message we heard last night when God set your barley fields on fire. There was a famine because there was no barley and there was no food. Because the enemy had came in and take it over. If you want to see when this happened, it probably happened in Judges chapter 6, when God raised up Gideon. Gideon's over here hiding just a little bit of bread so we can have something to eat. In the time when the judges ruled, in the days when men think they are God, God rules. God rules.

Said there was a judges in the land and there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. Here we see a costly move. I could see Limalech say to his wife, Naomi, what are we going to do? There's nothing to eat. There's a famine. We always try to reason out the decisions that we make. Maybe we can go to Moab. Who in the world wants to go to Moab?

What I understand, as I read just a little bit, is probably 50 to 70 miles from Moab to Bethlehem, Judah. And this is not an easy journey. They said if you left Moab, which is about 2,000 feet above sea level, you descend to the Dead Sea, which is about 1,400 feet below sea level. Then you've got to ascend back up to Bethlehem, Judah. That's the journey. Oh, where are we going? We're going to Moab.

They get whatever they pack up, and nobody leaves alone. It's a man and his wife and two boys. Well, what are we going to do when we get there? We'll figure it out when we get there. That's the setting. Verse 2, in the name of the man was Elimelech, in the name of his wife Naomi, in the name of the two sons were Malian and Chilian, Ephraimites of Bethlehem Judah, and they came into the country of Moab and continued there. Back up, I think it says where they just wanted to go sojourn. We're just going to go. Here's the plan. We're going to go stay just for a little while.

But then it says they continued there. It become easier to stay there and become easier not to leave. But just like his message, God's going to set their barley fields on fire. And you know what? When he does, he gets your attention. Like in the book, it says, God said, consider your ways. And what he did, he got their attention. When God speaks, men listen.

And they came to the country of Moab, and they continued there. And in Lemelak, Naomi's husband died, and she was left with her two sons. Hmm. They probably didn't take that into consideration. I could see Naomi say, You know, Imoulek, don't die in this place. I want to take you back home. No, he died there and he's probably buried there.

Because they stay several more years after this. But these two daughters, these two sons, verse 4, they took them wives of the women of Moab. The name of the one was Orpha, and the name of the other was Ruth. They sojourned, they continued, and it says here now that they abode there or dwelled there ten years. They had houses, they had lands, they had taken up roots, and they are in a godforsaken place of Moab. Okay, they've been there ten years.

And Malian and Chilean die. As also both of them and the women were left of her two sons and her husband. Now Naomi, her husband's gone. Her two sons gone. And she's living in this place. You know where we live? This world is nothing more than Moab. It's a place of death. Death. Men are dying every day, spiritually dying. We come forth from the womb, speaking lies, dying. But you imagine, Naomi, what in the world am I going to do? How long will I have to stay in this place till you get sick of it? Two sons and a husband.

Then she rose, verse six, here's some good news. The gospel is good news from a far country. Then she rose. Then. Then. She arose with her daughters-in-law that she might return from the country of Moab. She says, girls, get your stuff together. We're leaving. Well, why are we leaving? She heard some good news. What's the news? She had heard in the country of Moab, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. She heard what? How the Lord had visited his people.

Giving them bread. I don't know what that bread was. It come from barley field. Now there's bread. Before, the reason they left, there was no bread. There was a famine. But now she hears. Long ways away. How did news get there? News, it travels. She heard, she says, girls, we're leaving.

What's them girls gonna do? reading between the lines, if I might do that. I believe Naomi told these girls some things. Not only by what she said, but by what she did. You imagine when her husband dies, her two sons dies, God gave her grace to hold her composure. Most people would have been torn apart. And she says, girls, You know, I've told you about this place called Bethlehem, Judah.

It's where we was raised. It's where we worship God. We heard how that the Lord had visited his people. Who did he visit? His people. How did he visit them in giving them what they needed? You know what Bethlehem means? The house of bread. Why was Jesus born in Bethlehem? He's the bread of life. Verse seven, wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was. How do we know she believed? How do we know this woman believed? She left when she heard.

I mean, we can't see a person's heart, but when a person says they believe God and they go somewhere where there's no bread, there's nothing but a famine and they keep staying there. You know, when we know they believe, it's when they get up and they leave that place. Henry, I heard him make a statement on a message one time. He said, how long will a man keep going back to a church where there's no bread? He said, when he gets hungry enough, he'll leave. She said, girls, we're leaving.

There ain't nothing here for us. And she left. She went forth, verse 7, out of the place where she was and her two daughters-in-law with her, and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah. And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, why don't you girls just go back? He said, it seems like he's trying to discourage her. Religion says strike while the iron's hot. Girls, why don't y'all just go on back?

She said, go return each to her mother's house, and the Lord deal kindly with you as you have dealt with the dead, and with men with me. Verse nine, the Lord grants you that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. My prayer is that you'd find rest. My prayer for you is that God would give you rest. I think what she's saying, maybe one day God will give your girl some husbands.

My sons, your husbands, they're dead. I pray one day that you could be married again and have children and find rest in Christ in that blessed union. And it said then they kissed them. They kissed and they lifted up their voices and they wept. I think they loved this woman. And she loved them.

And the old man said, turn again, my daughters. Why will you go with me? Why in the world would you want to go with me? What can I do for you? How can I help you? Are you yet? And they always said, turn again, my daughters. Why will you go with me? Are there yet any more sons in my womb? I'm too old to have sons. If I could have children, would you wait around for 20 or 25 years and be married to my sons? That they might be your husbands? Turn again, my daughters, and go your way. I'm too old. to have a husband. She didn't say y'all were too old to have a husband. She said, I am too old. I am too old to have a husband. And without a husband, there's no sons. I'm too old to have a husband.

If I should say I have hope, if I should have a husband also tonight, would you also and with bare sons, would you tarry for them? Would you stay here till they were grown? Would you go with me and abide with me till my sons were grown? Would you stay for them from having husbands, nay, my daughters?

It grieves me much for your sake that the hand of God has gone out against me." And it reminds me of Jacob. All this is against me. No, it wasn't. All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to their purpose. All these things seem like they're against me. No, they're not. It may at this point seem that. I mean, it seems hopeless and helpless. And they lifted up their voices and they wept again.

You can have a physical attraction to someone and still never love them. Judas kissed our Lord on the cheek, but he never loved him. What's this? Orpha, verse 14, kissed her mother-in-law. You know, seeing, he tried to express, one tried to convince her that she loved her. But Ruth clave unto her. There's something different. What made the difference between these two girls? They're both Moravites. They were married to brothers. They heard the same thing that Naomi had told them.

What makes the difference between anybody? Who maketh you to differ? It's grace that makes the difference. One believed and one did not believe. They both heard the same message that God had visited his people and giving them bread, but they both did not believe. And it's evidence that they didn't believe.

Orphan leaves. Where's she going back to? A bunch of false gods, false religion, false professions. You want to go back to that? But not Ruth. She clave unto her. If what this woman is telling me is the truth, I believe what she's telling me is the truth, she'd probably told her about a kinsman-redeemer. We'll see that in just a minute. And she said, your sister-in-law's gone back. Why don't you go on back with her? You say, why does it seem she's trying to discourage her? If you can leave, leave. If you can go back, go back.

That's what she's telling her. And it's not because she doesn't love them. She did love Ruth. Behold, thy sister-in-law's gone back unto her people. She's gone back to her people. And she's gone back to her gods. Return thou after her, my sister, after thy sister-in-law. And look at Ruth. Ruth said, entreat me not to leave. Don't make me leave. or to return from following after thee.

For whether thou goest, I will go, and whether thou lodgest, I will lodge. Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God. Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also with all but death. Part me thee from me." Only thing that's going to separate us is death. She said, your people's going to be my people. I'm tired of them people. I'm tired of them false gods. I'm tired of it.

Where you die, that's where I'm going to die. Wherever it is, that's where I'm going to be. Treat me not to leave, but return from following thee. Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried. And the Lord do so to me, and more also with all but death, pardon me, in thee.

I could see Naomi standing there amazed. I'd be amazed to hear someone make a statement like that. I ain't leaving you. There's nowhere else to go. If what you're telling me is the truth, I want to meet this man. I want to meet him. It said, then, verse 18, when Naomi saw that Ruth was steadfastly minded, you're not changing her mind. Then she left off speaking. We won't talk about it anymore.

Imagine this journey. These women have something in common. They're widows. They have no husband. They have no help. They have no support. They're in this together. They need each other. You know what? We need each other. We need each other. We need him. I don't know about you, but I sure need him.

We're in a journey in this world. And one day, our blessed redeemer, he's going to come take us home. So they went until they came to Bethlehem, Judah. I can see Ruth said, well, I can't wait till we get there. I want to see this barley you're talking about. I want to see this place you're talking about, this Kinsman Redeemer. And they would come to Bethlehem. All the city was moved about them.

And they said, when they seen her, we know she's been gone for 10 years. Some of you I may have not have seen for four or five years. And you know what? I've probably changed, and you have too. But when they see this woman, they go, is that? Is that Naomi? Is that her? It looks like it, but I don't know if it's her or not.

And she said unto them, call me not Naomi. Call me Myra. For the Lord, for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full. Don't you see this? And the Lord hath brought me home again empty." My husband's dead. I said to him, where's the limelight? He said, he's dead. Where's Malian and Jillian? They're dead. Who's this with you? This is Ruth.

Was married to one of my sons. He had dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord brought me home again empty. Who brought her home? He did. He brings all his sheep home. I went out full, and the Lord had brought me home again empty. Why then call you Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me? So Naomi returned, verse 22, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law with her, which returned out of the country of Moab.

When did they come? Why did they come? They come because they had heard that God had visited his people and given them bread. And when they come, it's the beginning of all yours. And think, if it's the beginning of barley harvest, that barley's got to have grown for some time.

You don't just plant it one day and go out the next day and reap the barley. It's the beginning. You think about this. It's the beginning of barley harvest. That would be a blessed time. It'd be like when we lived back in North Carolina. It's time to pick apples. There was a certain time they gathered the barley. They didn't just raise it to leave it in the field. Isn't that amazing? He did all this for his people. It's in the times of the judges when there is no king and everybody does that which is right in his own eyes.

What are you going to do? We're going to plant some barley. And they came to Bethlehem in the beginning the barley is going to be harvested. You know why they plant barley, raise barley, and they cut down barley? To make bread. Why'd she come? God visited his people and given him bread.

Now verse two, or chapter two. Naomi had a kinsman. We could preach a message on that right there. Naomi had a kinsman. And you know what a kinsman was. We can never be reminded of too much. A kinsman, the kinsman redeemer, under the law, he had, first of all, to be near of kin. He had to be willing to redeem. and he had to be able to redeem. What is her hope? Now her hope is that there'd be Barley, but Barley's second place to bring her to the place and to bring Ruth to the place where this woman will meet Boaz. Boaz is an important person here in Bethlehem. Boaz owns the field, he owns the Reapers. It's all Boaz's. You know who Boaz is? Yeah, we know who Boaz is. Did Naomi? Yes, she knew.

Our hope is, Ruth, if he'll show you mercy. How's she going to meet him? Oh, we're going to set up a little party, and we're going to have them gathered together and just see if they like each other or not. But get the picture. This is two poor widows. How are they going to survive? I say, I think, from Chapter 2 we see that Naomi was too old to go glean. And you know what gleaning is.

When you plant a field, you plant a field of barley, you don't cut the corners. I mean, you leave the corners. If you drop a whole sheep, you know what you do? You just leave it. You don't go back and pick it up. So I might need it. No, someone else needs it. Gleaning was for the poor. They left it on purpose for them. Who left it on purpose?

The man who owned the field. It's his barley. Verse 1 of chapter 2. Naomi had a kinsman of her husband, a mighty man of wealth. He that was rich became poor. And you know what that verse said? It didn't say he was made poor. He became poor, that we through his poverty might be made rich. A mighty man of wealth and of the family of the Lemonick, and his name was Boaz. And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field and glean ears of corn after him in whose side I shall find grace." And she said to her, go my daughter.

She didn't say, well, we'll sit down right here and we'll see if anybody will bring us any barley. Ruth says, Naomi, you can't go glean anything. But I'm going to go get us something to eat. I know the fields are ready, they're going to harvest. It's if somebody will let me glean in their pasture, in their field." She said, let me now go to the field. And Gleanears the corn after him, in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, go my daughter. She's not only going for herself, she's going for Naomi also. Which field do I go to? Which field is his field? How am I going to know? Most of the time, you don't know until you get in his field. His field.

She went and came. And Naomi said, go, my daughter. Naomi's back at home. Can you imagine just being a Moabite girl in a strange land? You know you're a stranger. They know you're a stranger. Who's going to allow you and show you grace and mercy to glean from their field? And she went and came and gleaned in the field after the reapers. And her half was to lie on the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the kindred of Illuminati.

You know that word, hap? We'd say it just happened. Well, that's right, it did just happen. It happened on purpose. I'd see fields ripe everywhere. She walks up and sees these gleaners, these reapers. They got like a sickle and they're cutting down the sheaves, the marley. She walks up and maybe the man says, could I help you, ma'am? She said, we're hungry.

And I was just wondering if you would let me clean your field. He said, you sure can. You know one thing about cleaning, you have to look down. to find it. It's not done, just jump up in your pack, I can see. Oh, there's one. That's a good one. Wonder why it's there. I think it's just got my name on it. That's the picture.

She come out early in the morning. She's been out there in the field all day, and it's lunchtime. And when it's lunchtime, they didn't have a house or somewhere set up, but they may have had a tent or something set up to keep the sun off of them. They may have had a table there, and they would gather around the table to eat and get refreshed so they'd go back that evening and glean some more. I can see her sitting at the table. I can see her sitting at the far end of the table. I wouldn't be able to do it by myself. I know I'm a stranger. I hear a little commotion.

What's all the talking about? You see that man right there? Do you know who he is? I mean, this is his field, yep. This is his field. He shows up. Why did he show up? Now, he always shows up for his field. He wants to encourage his Reapers and his Gleaners. But he came for Ruth. Let's read on.

She went and came and gleaned into the field after the Reapers, and her half was that she'd lied on the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the kindred of Mimolet. And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem and said to the reapers, the Lord be with you. And they answered him, and the Lord blessed them. Then said Boaz unto his servants that were over his reapers, whose damsel is this?

I want you to remember, he knows who she is. He's not asking for his information. He wants her to know that he's considering her. Sitting there at the end of the table, he's asking about me. You come in and just happen to light up on his field. Was he talking just to me? When you preached last night about the barley fields, was he talking about my barley fields? Did I hear him call my name? Is he interested in me? I'd just as soon sit down here and not even be noticed. Just let me clean and I'll go back home.

And the servant that was over the reaper's answered and said, it is the Moabitish damsel. that came back from Naomi out of the country of Moab. And they said, they're telling him what she said. And she said, I pray you let me glean and gather after the reapers. Notice it says among the sheaves. The sheaves is right when they cut the barley. Well, see, maybe she said, well, she don't have no right to be there. Oh, she didn't know that. But you know what? She didn't. She asked. She didn't just take it upon herself. She asked, would you let me glean?

Boy, there's a bunch of barley there. Would you let me gather there? And they're telling Boaz. So she came, she continued, and hath continued from the morning until the evening, that she tarried a little in the house. He spoke of her. about her and now. He's going to turn and look right at her and he's going to speak directly to her. What a picture of grace. He speaks about you and for you and you go, is he talking about me? And when he speaks, my sheep hear my voice.

Then said Boaz unto Ruth, verse eight, here is now not, my daughter, go not to glean in another field. He said, you don't have to go anywhere else, but abide here fast by my maidens, you stay right here. He was at his place telling her, Ruth, you have all the right to be here. I give you the right, I give you the permission, And don't let anybody run you off. This is my field. These are my reapers. And you're my stranger. And you can abide here fast by my maidens. Verse 9, let thou not be on the field that they do reap. Well, how am I going to know which way?

Just follow them. They're his servants. They're gonna gather his fields. And he said, you just follow them. And go there after them, have not I charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? And when you are thirst, go to the vessels and drink of that which the young men have drunk. You don't even have to draw the water.

He's telling her what she has the right to do. And what God has given us instructions to do, we don't have to be afraid of anybody or anything. This is his field. And what's her response? She fell on her face. Verse 10, she fell on her face and bowed herself to the ground. And she said unto him, you think about how God has brought her to this place. It's not Naomi speaking to her. It's Boaz. It is Jesus Christ, our Lord, that speaks to you. You know what that is? That's called worship.

You know where you find sinners? At his feet. Mephibosheth said, why would you look on a dead dog like me? She fell on her face and bowed herself to the ground and she said unto them, why have I found grace in thine eyes? What a question. Why in the world would God ever show me or you grace? Because he was pleased to do so. Why have I found grace in thine eyes that you would take knowledge of me? I'm a stranger.

Verse 11, and Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath been truly shown me all that thou hast done unto thy mother-in-law since the death of thy husband. and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, you left your father and your mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art coming to a people which thou knewest not hitherto. All she knew was what she had heard. And you came. Verse 12, the Lord recompensed thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust. And then she said, let me find favor in thy sight, my Lord, for that thou hast comforted me, for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not likened to one of thine handmaids. And Boaz said unto her, at mealtime, you know what this is? This is a special mealtime.

You meet a couple of times on Saturday, and you meet on Wednesday night. But we're gathering here on a Saturday morning. Mealtime for God's people. You know why you come? You're hungry. You need Him. He said at mealtime, come thou hither and eat of the bread and dip thy morsel in the vinegar and she sat beside the reapers and he reached her parched corn and she did eat and was sufficed and left. He said, hear Ruth. You take this. This is my body that was broken for you. This do in remembrance of me. No notices.

It said she did what? She did eat. Well, how long did she eat? Till she was so fast. She was satisfied. It's so faster. She did eat and was sufficed and left. But don't you see the remainder part of this chapter? What about Naomi? Back home, is Naomi hungry?

Well, sure she is. Can she go out and glean? No. Ruth can. She's gleaning for both of them. In verse 15 it says, when she was risen up to glean, after that she was sufficed, Boaz commanded his young men, he told them, she didn't hear this, let her glean even among the sheaves and reproach her not.

She can glean right there. Can you imagine, he comes through with a sickle, and what it does is it just lays over her. She does it again, and it lays over her. And she grabs her whole arm. And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, he said, let her glean even among the sheaths, and don't reproach her.

Don't tell her she doesn't have any right to be here. And there's something else you need to do. Why don't you do something? Why don't you do it just for her? Let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her and leave them. Last night, to me, it was like God just dropped handfuls on purpose. For us. This is yours. Handfuls. He ain't some poor God. And he dropped it and he goes, that seems like that was just for me. That's exactly right. He said, you do this for her. You think about everything that God would do just to save you.

Something is about my age, but it's a lot of water under the bridge. Not as many miles in front of us as they are behind us. And God has brought us to many dangers, tolls, and snares I have already come. His grace has brought me safe thus far. And grace will lead us home. Verse 18, she took it up, took what she'd gleaned into the city. And her mother-in-law saw what she'd gleaned. And she brought forth and gave it to her that she had received after that she was sufficed. She got all she needed, all she wanted.

She said, I'm taking this home to Naomi. I'm taking it and getting me a to-go bag. What are you thinking about? She's thinking about Naomi. She's not thinking just about herself. This woman had told her the truth. This woman had told her about Boaz. Told her about Boaz's field. And I can see it's probably about all she can carry. And you think when Ruth leaves in the morning, I wonder if she'll bring anything back. What if she doesn't find favor in anybody's field? And she walks up and maybe knocks on the door. Naomi opens the door and said, where in the world did you get all that barley?

Whose field did you glean in today? Said she gleaned in the field into the evening, and she had to beat out that wheat she was gleaned, separating the wheat from the chaff. And it was about a leaf or a barley. And she took it up, went into the city, and her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. And she brought forth and gave it unto her that what she had reserved, that she would suffice. She says, now, Milt, you sit down. Here's something to eat. I brought you something.

And her mother-in-law said unto her, where hast thou gleaned today? You don't usually clean this much. You don't usually just gather anything like this. Where did you get this? This is your first time out. How did you figure it out? You didn't figure it out. He just gave it to you. Where did you clean today? And with whom? and worked and became a see-through. And her mother-in-law said to her, where is thou going today? And where wrought is thou?

Blessed be he that did take knowledge in thee. She didn't say, I'm so glad you worked hard today. Oh, you're such a good daughter-in-law. You're such a hard worker. That ain't what she's in. She's gonna brag on somebody. It's all about bragging on Boaz.

And her mother-in-law said to her, where has Thou gone today? And where has wrought this Thou blessed be he that did take knowledge of Thee? And she showed her mother-in-law with whom she had wrought and said, I'm gonna tell you, I got something to tell you. I don't even know if you'll know this guy or not. They said his name was Boaz. Do you know who he might be? Oh yeah, I know who he is.

You remember me telling you about a kinsman redeemer? Her husband died. His brother died. Who's going to marry her and raise up seed unto that family? Boaz. There's only one that fits all the credentials. He's willing, he's able, and he's mighty to save. She wrote and she said the man's name with whom I wrote today is Boaz. Remember when we just began to hear? I said, you know, all them believers, them believers, all they want to talk about is one thing. They hit one note. It's him.

And Naomi said unto her daughter-in-law, blessed be the Lord who hath not left off his kindness. to the living and the dead. And Naomi said unto her, and Naomi said to her, that man is near kin unto you. He's the near kinsman. How is our Lord the near kinsman? He took upon himself human nature. He was robed in human flesh to save his people. The man is near of Canaan to us. One of our next kinsmen.

I see her heart just filling up with joy. She knows who he is. She knows what he's able to do, if he will. She just happened on his field. Why did you come today? Did you just happen upon this place? You may have thought it was an accident, and it did happen. And maybe you've heard about one you've never heard before, or it may be about one you've heard about many times before. You just don't know him.

Naomi knew him. She told Ruth about him. And Ruth the Moabite said, here's what he said unto me, thou shalt keep fast by my young men until they have ended all my harvest. And Naomi said unto Ruth, her mother-in-law, it is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in other fields.

I'm here to admonish you, don't go to another field. This field, where the Gospels preach, honors Christ our Boaz, the Redeemer of his people, and he brings you to a knowledge of who he is, but he speaks to you, he speaks for you, he makes himself known, and you see your only hope is in him. Don't go to anybody off this field. I tell you this, now, don't you listen to me. I'd rather you not go anywhere, anywhere, except for the gospels preached. People say, well, as long as you go anywhere, I'd rather you didn't go anywhere. The hardest thing to do is try to talk to people who got it all fixed up, and it's based upon their works. And they say, look what I've gleaned. Look how smart I am.

And Sandy was talking to a lady. Well, the lady was talking. She's heard me several times on the radio, and she made a statement the other day, and was just speechless. Her husband died a couple years ago, and she's by herself. She's a widow. She has a daughter. And she said, I just can't wait to get to heaven to see John. I know everything's okay because John and all his family is there. And I'm thinking, what am I to say to this woman? Sometimes the worst judgment is when God doesn't say anything. But you know, you think about it, how sad. This woman has no hope. She's looking for a hope, but it's not found in religion, it's not found in that field.

I played in that field. I worked in that field. I was not raised in a grace gospel church. I was raised in a deep Armenian church. Let me just give you an example. Here's what we did. Take away the communion table. We're not interested in communion. We're going to get us a little red wagon and put it right here in the front. We're going to have us a fundraiser.

And what we're going to do, we're going to lead this up between the church every Sunday, and you throw your pennies in it. Somebody determined if you put pennies end to end, how many that it would take to make a mile. Well, however many pennies we gather, the preacher's going to pull the wagon that many miles.

And I heard this guy say, oh, I preach the gospel. I can tell you what that right there was. It was not the gospel. Trying to trick men into doing something. He was just a good salesperson. Convince people, trick people. We're not trying to trick people. We're trying to tell men the truth. If you ever make boas, you'll turn back on everything else.

But you know, Ruth and Naomi, they're waiting. for him to do the part of the kinsman redeeming. Verse 22, and Naomi said unto Ruth, her daughter-in-law, it is good, my daughter, that thou hast, that ye don't go out with maidens that they meet thee not in any other field.

So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and wheat harvest, and she dwelt with her mother-in-law. Okay, now the reaping's over. The barley harvest is over. To the next year. Now what's she gonna do? In chapter three and four, maybe the Lord will allow us to look at that in the morning. Naomi knows where he's at. She said he's gonna be down there by the threshing floor. That's his. That's his weed. That's his barley. And here's what she tells her. She said, I know where he's at. And here's what you're to do.

You go down there, and you don't say a word. You know what the hardest thing to get religious people to do is just shut up. And she did. She didn't turn to go in there and say, oh, please, Boaz, would you not have mercy on me? Would you not say anything, Boaz? No, she said, you go down there and lay at his feet, and you wait for him to speak to you. We take from scriptures, and here's how we instruct sinners to come. You come sit, and you just come and listen. I'm not gonna argue with you, we're not gonna debate. Just come and listen, and maybe he'll speak to you.

And while she's there at his feet, he says, what's your name? She said, I'm Ruth. We were motivated. He said, what would you have me to do? Would you put your skirt over me? You know what she said? Would you redeem me? Would you set me free? Lord willing. Hope I've not been too long. I pray that God would enable us to see him. I know this, if you ever saw him, you'd never get tired of seeing him. It's like a diamond ring. You just see many different facets of it. There he is. There he is.

Amen. Janet will tell you that I am not a morning person. And it's getting worse as I get older. I can't wait till tomorrow morning. You finish that, Mike. That was outstanding. Thank you. We're going to take a short break. When you hear the music, come back in. And we'll get ready to hear Brother Todd bring a message to us, all right?

The Gospel of Ruth - Part 1

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about redemption in the Book of Ruth?

How do we know that God's grace is sufficient?

Why is the concept of a kinsman-redeemer important for Christians?

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The Gospel of Ruth - Part 1

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about redemption in the Book of Ruth?

How do we know that God's grace is sufficient?

Why is the concept of a kinsman-redeemer important for Christians?

Sermon Transcript

About Mike Walker

Comments

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