Sermons – Grace Evangelical Free Church // Wyoming, MN

So she lay at his feet until the morning, but arose before one could recognize another. And he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” 15 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. 16 And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “How did you fare, my daughter?” Then she told her all that the man had done for her, 17 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.'” 18 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.”

4:1 Now Boaz had gone up to the gate and sat down there. And behold, the redeemer, of whom Boaz had spoken, came by. So Boaz said, “Turn aside, friend; sit down here.” And he turned aside and sat down. 2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down. 3 Then he said to the redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land that belonged to our relative Elimelech. 4 So I thought I would tell you of it and say, ‘Buy it in the presence of those sitting here and in the presence of the elders of my people.’ If you will redeem it, redeem it. But if you will not, tell me, that I may know, for there is no one besides you to redeem it, and I come after you.” And he said, “I will redeem it.” 5 Then Boaz said, “The day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the widow of the dead, in order to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance.” 6 Then the redeemer said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I impair my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption yourself, for I cannot redeem it.”

INTRODUCTION

This morning we will wrap up the third chapter of Ruth and begin looking at the fourth. In this section we encounter two more scenes in this remarkable story. In the first scene (3:14-18), after spending the night on the threshing floor, Ruth and Boaz have a brief pre-dawn discussion and then Ruth returns to Naomi. In the second scene (4:1-6) Boaz begins to negotiate for Elimelech’s field and Ruth’s hand in marriage.

I hope to help you understand and appreciate the further unfolding of this drama and then draw your attention to the heart of true righteousness. The main thing I hope we all leave here with is a new (or renewed) joyful commitment to cultivating hearts of genuine godliness, godliness that doesn’t need a rule to do good for others. Let’s pray that by the power of the Holy Spirit it would be so.

THE STORY CONTINUES

Pastor Mike did a great job of navigating the tricky waters of the threshing floor scene last week. We joked about the fact that I scheduled my vacation for that week on purpose. If you weren’t here, or don’t remember, in 3:1-13, at her mother-in-law’s insistence, Ruth ended her time of mourning and presented herself before Boaz at night, effectively asking him to marry her. Although the scene involved no immorality and was entirely cast in holiness, it had the potential for serious misinterpretation. And that is why the next scene (our first scene for this morning) begins at a time early enough in the morning that darkness prevented one from recognizing another.

In 3:13 Boaz commanded Ruth to remain with him throughout the night. Having done so—likely after a fitful night of sleep—at the earliest possible time Ruth woke and prepared to leave. Understanding what it might do to her reputation and his if she was spotted leaving the threshing floor (a place known for sexual immorality),...

1 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? 2 Is not Boaz our relative, with whose young women you were? See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. 3 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. 4 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.” 5 And she replied, “All that you say I will do.”

6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law had commanded her. 7 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. 8 At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet! 9 He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.” 10 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. 11 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. 12 And now it is true that I am a redeemer. Yet there is a redeemer nearer than I. 13 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.”

Intro

We continue our story of Naomi, Ruth and Boaz on this winding path of glory. After hearing our text this morning, you probably have questions, assumptions and you’re maybe scratching your head. It’s an unusual passage filled with tensions, risk and especially in our sexualized culture, the potential to import our assumptions into the passage. While there is lots that is unfamiliar and unusual, the big idea of the text is God accomplishes his redeeming purposes through the ordinary actions of people.

That means I have a challenge to explain it well so that we understand it, God’s Word is honored and that we are able to apply it to our own lives today.

As I mentioned, the big idea we will see in our text is that God accomplishes his redeeming purposes through the ordinary actions of people. I hope that becomes clear as we dive in.

The text breaks down into two scenes. First in verses 1-4 Naomi seeks rest for Ruth. The second scene is verses 7-13 where Ruth now seeks redemption for Naomi and Boaz responds. The two stories are also linked with this transition in verses 5-6 where the common character of the scenes, Ruth, acts as a bridge between the scenes. With that, let’s look at the first scene.

3:1-4 Scene 1: Naomi seeks rest for Ruth

This week the story reaches a climax, but as we’ll see it still has several bends in the road.

At the end of chapter two Naomi recaps Ruth’s day gleaning under Boaz’ protection. As pastor Dave mentioned last week, Naomi has become thankful. Do you see how Naomi has softened since chapter 1? Going from tragedy and bitterness, we see Naomi now think of others instead of herself. When Ruth returns from the field at the end of chapter 2, she is genuinely thankful. She blesses the LORD for Boaz’ kindness and provision. She also notes that Boaz is their relative and a redeemer which will pick up in this chapter.

Notice that the LORD provided blessing to Naomi through people and the result is a softened Naomi. The LORD is working kindness into Naomi. Have you ever tried to stay bitter or cynical despite receiving good things? Let us take note. Seek ways to be kind to your spouse or your kids.

1 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? 2 Is not Boaz our relative, with whose young women you were? See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. 3 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. 4 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.” 5 And she replied, “All that you say I will do.”

6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law had commanded her. 7 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. 8 At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet! 9 He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.” 10 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. 11 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. 12 And now it is true that I am a redeemer. Yet there is a redeemer nearer than I. 13 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.”

Intro

We continue our story of Naomi, Ruth and Boaz on this winding path of glory. After hearing our text this morning, you probably have questions, assumptions and you’re maybe scratching your head. It’s an unusual passage filled with tensions, risk and especially in our sexualized culture, the potential to import our assumptions into the passage. While there is lots that is unfamiliar and unusual, the big idea of the text is God accomplishes his redeeming purposes through the ordinary actions of people.

That means I have a challenge to explain it well so that we understand it, God’s Word is honored and that we are able to apply it to our own lives today.

As I mentioned, the big idea we will see in our text is that God accomplishes his redeeming purposes through the ordinary actions of people. I hope that becomes clear as we dive in.

The text breaks down into two scenes. First in verses 1-4 Naomi seeks rest for Ruth. The second scene is verses 7-13 where Ruth now seeks redemption for Naomi and Boaz responds. The two stories are also linked with this transition in verses 5-6 where the common character of the scenes, Ruth, acts as a bridge between the scenes. With that, let’s look at the first scene.

3:1-4 Scene 1: Naomi seeks rest for Ruth

This week the story reaches a climax, but as we’ll see it still has several bends in the road.

At the end of chapter two Naomi recaps Ruth’s day gleaning under Boaz’ protection. As pastor Dave mentioned last week, Naomi has become thankful. Do you see how Naomi has softened since chapter 1? Going from tragedy and bitterness, we see Naomi now think of others instead of herself. When Ruth returns from the field at the end of chapter 2, she is genuinely thankful. She blesses the LORD for Boaz’ kindness and provision. She also notes that Boaz is their relative and a redeemer which will pick up in this chapter.

Notice that the LORD provided blessing to Naomi through people and the result is a softened Naomi. The LORD is working kindness into Naomi. Have you ever tried to stay bitter or cynical despite receiving good things? Let us take note. Seek ways to be kind to your spouse or your kids.

Ruth 2:17-23 So she gleaned in the field until evening. Then she beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley. 18 And she took it up and went into the city. Her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. She also brought out and gave her what food she had left over after being satisfied. 19 And her mother-in-law said to her, “Where did you glean today? And where have you worked? Blessed be the man who took notice of you.” So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked and said, “The man’s name with whom I worked today is Boaz.” 20 And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the LORD, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!” Naomi also said to her, “The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers.” 21 And Ruth the Moabite said, “Besides, he said to me, ‘You shall keep close by my young men until they have finished all my harvest.'” 22 And Naomi said to Ruth, her daughter-in-law, “It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his young women, lest in another field you be assaulted.” 23 So she kept close to the young women of Boaz, gleaning until the end of the barley and wheat harvests. And she lived with her mother-in-law.

INTRODUCTION

Welcome back to Ruth. Welcome back to an amazing story of God’s subtle kindness to his people, through his people. Welcome back to the winding path of glory. Once again, we’ll continue on with the story to the end of chapter 2. We’ll also consider the nature of the redeemer mentioned in 2:20 and the three ingredients of a heart filled with thankfulness. Please pray that God’s hidden providence, his goodness, and his amazing grace would become increasingly clear to us in order that we might increasing live every moment of every day in light of them.

THE STORY CONTINUES

If you’re just joining us we’re half way through the book of Ruth. It’s a truly remarkable story of the winding path of glory—the often difficult and confusing road (from our perspective) that God leads his people down, on our way to eternal life. In particular, it’s the bitter and sweet story of the family of an Israelite named Elimelech.

On account of her rebellion God sent a famine to Israel. Rather than repent and remain where God had commanded him to, Elimelech took matters into his own hands and led his family, his wife (Naomi) and sons (Mahlon and Chilion), to a neighboring, pagan country called Moab. While there Elimelech died, his sons took Moabite wives (Orpah and Ruth), and then they (the sons) died too. More than a decade later, widowed, vulnerable, and in a foreign land, Naomi heard that the famine may have lifted and so she determined to head back home. Orpah decided to return to her parents’ home, but Ruth “clung” to Naomi and, more importantly, determined to place her hope in Naomi’s God.

The two women made it back to Bethlehem. Naomi was broken and bitter. Her belief that the LORD had anything good for her had all but vanished. But Ruth’s fresh, new hope and God’s hidden grace carried the story along. With Naomi’s blessing Ruth went to find a field in which the landowner would allow her to pick the barley that the harvesters left behind (the harvest had just begun).

According to the kind and good providence of God Ruth “happened” to end up in the field of Boaz, a relative of Elimelech’s and a God-fearing man. Upon meeting Ruth Boaz not only allowed her to glean in his fields, but he also bestowed truly remarkable protection and generosity upon her and Naomi. That’s where we’ve been.

This morning, then we pick up near the end of Ruth’s first day of working in Boaz’s field. After the initial encounter with Boaz, and after a meal with Boaz and his workers,

Ruth 2:17-23 So she gleaned in the field until evening. Then she beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley. 18 And she took it up and went into the city. Her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. She also brought out and gave her what food she had left over after being satisfied. 19 And her mother-in-law said to her, “Where did you glean today? And where have you worked? Blessed be the man who took notice of you.” So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked and said, “The man’s name with whom I worked today is Boaz.” 20 And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the LORD, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!” Naomi also said to her, “The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers.” 21 And Ruth the Moabite said, “Besides, he said to me, ‘You shall keep close by my young men until they have finished all my harvest.'” 22 And Naomi said to Ruth, her daughter-in-law, “It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his young women, lest in another field you be assaulted.” 23 So she kept close to the young women of Boaz, gleaning until the end of the barley and wheat harvests. And she lived with her mother-in-law.

INTRODUCTION

Welcome back to Ruth. Welcome back to an amazing story of God’s subtle kindness to his people, through his people. Welcome back to the winding path of glory. Once again, we’ll continue on with the story to the end of chapter 2. We’ll also consider the nature of the redeemer mentioned in 2:20 and the three ingredients of a heart filled with thankfulness. Please pray that God’s hidden providence, his goodness, and his amazing grace would become increasingly clear to us in order that we might increasing live every moment of every day in light of them.

THE STORY CONTINUES

If you’re just joining us we’re half way through the book of Ruth. It’s a truly remarkable story of the winding path of glory—the often difficult and confusing road (from our perspective) that God leads his people down, on our way to eternal life. In particular, it’s the bitter and sweet story of the family of an Israelite named Elimelech.

On account of her rebellion God sent a famine to Israel. Rather than repent and remain where God had commanded him to, Elimelech took matters into his own hands and led his family, his wife (Naomi) and sons (Mahlon and Chilion), to a neighboring, pagan country called Moab. While there Elimelech died, his sons took Moabite wives (Orpah and Ruth), and then they (the sons) died too. More than a decade later, widowed, vulnerable, and in a foreign land, Naomi heard that the famine may have lifted and so she determined to head back home. Orpah decided to return to her parents’ home, but Ruth “clung” to Naomi and, more importantly, determined to place her hope in Naomi’s God.

The two women made it back to Bethlehem. Naomi was broken and bitter. Her belief that the LORD had anything good for her had all but vanished. But Ruth’s fresh, new hope and God’s hidden grace carried the story along. With Naomi’s blessing Ruth went to find a field in which the landowner would allow her to pick the barley that the harvesters left behind (the harvest had just begun).

According to the kind and good providence of God Ruth “happened” to end up in the field of Boaz, a relative of Elimelech’s and a God-fearing man. Upon meeting Ruth Boaz not only allowed her to glean in his fields, but he also bestowed truly remarkable protection and generosity upon her and Naomi. That’s where we’ve been.

This morning, then we pick up near the end of Ruth’s first day of working in Boaz’s field. After the initial encounter with Boaz,

Ruth 1:22 – 2:16 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabite her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest. 2:1 Now Naomi had a relative of her husband’s, a worthy man of the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz. 2 And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.” 3 So she set out and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers, and she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the clan of Elimelech. 4 And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem. And he said to the reapers, “The LORD be with you!” And they answered, “The LORD bless you.” 5 Then Boaz said to his young man who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?” 6 And the servant who was in charge of the reapers answered, “She is the young Moabite woman, who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab. 7 She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves after the reapers.’ So she came, and she has continued from early morning until now, except for a short rest.”

8 Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Now, listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women. 9 Let your eyes be on the field that they are reaping, and go after them. Have I not charged the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink what the young men have drawn.” 10 Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?” 11 But Boaz answered her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. 12 The LORD repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!” 13 Then she said, “I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, for you have comforted me and spoken kindly to your servant, though I am not one of your servants.”

14 And at mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come here and eat some bread and dip your morsel in the wine.” So she sat beside the reapers, and he passed to her roasted grain. And she ate until she was satisfied, and she had some left over. 15 When she rose to glean, Boaz instructed his young men, saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her. 16 And also pull out some from the bundles for her and leave it for her to glean, and do not rebuke her.”

INTRODUCTION

Two weeks ago I shared with you ten aspects of a godly woman that we see in the person of Ruth: Compassionate, willing to help those in need , kind, loyal, and devoted, submissive, full of initiative, hard-working and industrious, courageous, full of gratitude, faithful and honest, and generous. In the same way, after following the story’s progress, we’re going to consider eight aspects of a godly man that we see in the person of Boaz. It is my hope and prayer that taken together the heart of God would be plain for all to see. And it is my hope and prayer that with God’s heart in plain sight we’d all eagerly pursue it for ourselves and for one another.

THE STORY CONTINUES

This section begins with two bits of information that will certainly pique a careful reader’s curiosity. The first occurs at the very end of chapter one and the second at the very beginning of chapter two. For no immediately apparent reason the author notes that Naomi and Ruth made it back to...

Ruth 1:22 – 2:16 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabite her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest. 2:1 Now Naomi had a relative of her husband’s, a worthy man of the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz. 2 And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.” 3 So she set out and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers, and she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the clan of Elimelech. 4 And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem. And he said to the reapers, “The LORD be with you!” And they answered, “The LORD bless you.” 5 Then Boaz said to his young man who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?” 6 And the servant who was in charge of the reapers answered, “She is the young Moabite woman, who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab. 7 She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves after the reapers.’ So she came, and she has continued from early morning until now, except for a short rest.”

8 Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Now, listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women. 9 Let your eyes be on the field that they are reaping, and go after them. Have I not charged the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink what the young men have drawn.” 10 Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?” 11 But Boaz answered her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. 12 The LORD repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!” 13 Then she said, “I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, for you have comforted me and spoken kindly to your servant, though I am not one of your servants.”

14 And at mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come here and eat some bread and dip your morsel in the wine.” So she sat beside the reapers, and he passed to her roasted grain. And she ate until she was satisfied, and she had some left over. 15 When she rose to glean, Boaz instructed his young men, saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her. 16 And also pull out some from the bundles for her and leave it for her to glean, and do not rebuke her.”

INTRODUCTION

Two weeks ago I shared with you ten aspects of a godly woman that we see in the person of Ruth: Compassionate, willing to help those in need , kind, loyal, and devoted, submissive, full of initiative, hard-working and industrious, courageous, full of gratitude, faithful and honest, and generous. In the same way, after following the story’s progress, we’re going to consider eight aspects of a godly man that we see in the person of Boaz. It is my hope and prayer that taken together the heart of God would be plain for all to see. And it is my hope and prayer that with God’s heart in plain sight we’d all eagerly pursue it for ourselves and for one another.

THE STORY CONTINUES

This section begins with two bits of information that will certainly pique a careful reader’s curiosity. The first occurs at the very end of chapter one and the second at the very beginning of chapter two. For no immediately apparent reason the author notes that Naomi and Ruth mad...

Ruth 1:19-22 So the two of them went on until they came to Bethlehem. And when they came to Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them. And the women said, “Is this Naomi?” 20 She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. 21 I went away full, and the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the LORD has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?” 22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabite her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.

INTRODUCTION

The drama of this story continues to unfold. This morning we’ll pick up where we left off last week and then we’ll zoom in on Naomi’s misery. In particular, we’ll watch the two women, Naomi and Ruth, enter into Bethlehem and then consider five truths of Christian suffering. Please pray with me that God would help us understand his perspective on human suffering in order that we’d grow in our ability to suffer as those whose hope is something hardship cannot touch.

THE STORY CONTINUES

In the way of a reminder, in the days of the judges, famine had overtaken Israel (likely as an expression of divine judgment on Israel). Instead of trusting in God, an Israelite named Elimelech led his family out of Israel and into the land of God’s enemies to find food. For many years his family made a home there. His sons took wives there. Eventually however all three men died, leaving their wives alone and vulnerable.

Last week we saw that Naomi, Elimelech’s wife, having heard that God had lifted the famine in Israel determined to return to her homeland. We also saw that one of her daughters-in-law, Orpah, decided to go back to her parent’s home and her parents’ gods; while the other, Ruth, decided to remain with Naomi and her God. We were left wondering what would happen to them. Would they make it to Israel? Once there, would they find food and shelter? How would Ruth’s conversion be received by the Israelites and by God himself?

And that’s where our text for this morning picks up. In it we find that Naomi and Ruth did in fact make it back to Israel; to Naomi’s hometown of Bethlehem. We also find that that their arrival stirred up quite a bit of commotion. Certainly some of it was simply the result of curiosity. Where had they been? How had they fared? Where were Elimelech, Mahlon, and Chilion? Who was this young woman with Naomi? If you’ve ever been a part of a small town, you know that Naomi’s return would have inevitably sparked interest and gossip.

More than that though, the text tells us, that something in Naomi’s appearance had changed to the point that people didn’t recognize her. “…the whole town was stirred because of them. And the women said, ‘Is this Naomi?'” Quickly, the reason for her changed appearance is made clear. “She said to them, ‘Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.”

Naomi’s suffering had taken its toll on her. The town was stirred because pleasantness (Naomi) and fullness had dramatically and visually turned to bitterness (Mara) and emptiness. Naomi and Ruth made it to Bethlehem from Moab, but not without scars.

The previous scene closed (1:18) leaving the reader to wonder whether or not the women would make it to Bethlehem. This scene closes leaving the reader to wonder how the women will fare now that they’ve arrived. The final clause in the final verse of chapter 1 gives us a clue, “And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.” We’re not yet sure what that means, but its placement indicates that it’s significant.

Ruth 1:19-22 So the two of them went on until they came to Bethlehem. And when they came to Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them. And the women said, “Is this Naomi?” 20 She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. 21 I went away full, and the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the LORD has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?” 22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabite her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.

INTRODUCTION

The drama of this story continues to unfold. This morning we’ll pick up where we left off last week and then we’ll zoom in on Naomi’s misery. In particular, we’ll watch the two women, Naomi and Ruth, enter into Bethlehem and then consider five truths of Christian suffering. Please pray with me that God would help us understand his perspective on human suffering in order that we’d grow in our ability to suffer as those whose hope is something hardship cannot touch.

THE STORY CONTINUES

In the way of a reminder, in the days of the judges, famine had overtaken Israel (likely as an expression of divine judgment on Israel). Instead of trusting in God, an Israelite named Elimelech led his family out of Israel and into the land of God’s enemies to find food. For many years his family made a home there. His sons took wives there. Eventually however all three men died, leaving their wives alone and vulnerable.

Last week we saw that Naomi, Elimelech’s wife, having heard that God had lifted the famine in Israel determined to return to her homeland. We also saw that one of her daughters-in-law, Orpah, decided to go back to her parent’s home and her parents’ gods; while the other, Ruth, decided to remain with Naomi and her God. We were left wondering what would happen to them. Would they make it to Israel? Once there, would they find food and shelter? How would Ruth’s conversion be received by the Israelites and by God himself?

And that’s where our text for this morning picks up. In it we find that Naomi and Ruth did in fact make it back to Israel; to Naomi’s hometown of Bethlehem. We also find that that their arrival stirred up quite a bit of commotion. Certainly some of it was simply the result of curiosity. Where had they been? How had they fared? Where were Elimelech, Mahlon, and Chilion? Who was this young woman with Naomi? If you’ve ever been a part of a small town, you know that Naomi’s return would have inevitably sparked interest and gossip.

More than that though, the text tells us, that something in Naomi’s appearance had changed to the point that people didn’t recognize her. “…the whole town was stirred because of them. And the women said, ‘Is this Naomi?'” Quickly, the reason for her changed appearance is made clear. “She said to them, ‘Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.”

Naomi’s suffering had taken its toll on her. The town was stirred because pleasantness (Naomi) and fullness had dramatically and visually turned to bitterness (Mara) and emptiness. Naomi and Ruth made it to Bethlehem from Moab, but not without scars.

The previous scene closed (1:18) leaving the reader to wonder whether or not the women would make it to Bethlehem. This scene closes leaving the reader to wonder how the women will fare now that they’ve arrived. The final clause in the final verse of chapter 1 gives us a clue, “And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.” We’re not yet sure what that means, but its placement indicates that it’s significant.

Ruth 1:6-18 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the fields of Moab that the LORD had visited his people and given them food. 7 So she set out from the place where she was with her two daughters-in-law, and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah. 8 But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother’s house. May the LORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. 9 The LORD grant that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband!” Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept. 10 And they said to her, “No, we will return with you to your people.” 11 But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Have I yet sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? 12 Turn back, my daughters; go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, even if I should have a husband this night and should bear sons, 13 would you therefore wait till they were grown? Would you therefore refrain from marrying? No, my daughters, for it is exceedingly bitter to me for your sake that the hand of the LORD has gone out against me.” 14 Then they lifted up their voices and wept again. And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. 15 And she said, “See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” 16 But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the LORD do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” 18 And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more.

INTRODUCTION

Well, after a year’s worth of treachery in Hosea, we were able to get all of the hard stuff in Ruth out in one sermon. This is an emotional passage, but nothing tragic happens. In fact, while we don’t know for sure what happened to Orpah, we do know for sure that this scene sets up everything good that will happen in the book. Welcome to the green pastures of obedience.

At times it can be difficult to know what genuine godliness looks like in real life. How do we honor God when a loved one dies? How do we honor God at work? How do we honor God when we are in danger? How do we honor God when our family thinks differently than we do? These are the types of questions that we have all faced, along with the frustration of not knowing the specific answers.

We have a perfect example in Jesus, of course; but as a man, his example is an even greater help to men. What a gift it is for women to have the snapshot Ruth provides of feminine godliness (answering through her life the questions I just asked). This morning I mean to move the story along by highlighting the events that take place in 1:6-18. And then I mean to take a close look at ten aspects of the heart of a godly woman that we see in Ruth (in this passage and throughout the rest of the story as well).

Would you pray with me that God would help us all (and especially the women of Grace) understand and appreciate Ruth’s example of genuine godliness? And in seeing it in such real-life situations, let’s pray that God would help us follow her example.

THE STORY CONTINUES

Last week we looked at the first six verses of the book of Ruth. In them we saw that during the time of the judges’ rule the nation of Israel was enveloped by a famine (likely as a result of God’s judgment upon them for their sin). Consequently, an Israelite man named Elimelech (disobediently) took matters into his own hands by leading his family away from Israel and into the pagan land o...