Sunday, October 8, 2000   

INTRODUCTION: In verse eleven, the opening verse of our study, we find Boaz encouraging Ruth to rest on his promise. He tells her not to fear for he will do everything he says he will do. As we study this passage, we will see that Ruth does not fear, she does not doubt, she believes and rests on the promises of her redeemer Boaz. This portion of scripture should encourage every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, our greater Boaz, to rest upon every promise He has made for He will keep them all: "Commit thy way unto the Lord- trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass" (Psalm 37-5).

I. VERSES 11-13, THE PRECIOUS PROMISE FROM BOAZ

      A. Verse 11, note the words "fear not." Boaz tells Ruth not to fear. Fear is the offspring of doubt. If we doubt, we fear the future.

           1. Do not fear for Jesus said: "In my Father's house are many mansions, if it were not so I would have told you" (John 14:2). Heaven is real; I believe it- I don't doubt it.

            2. Boaz said: "I will do to thee all that thou requirest..." He is not at all reluctant to do his part as kinsman redeemer.

                 a. Ruth claims Boaz as her redeemer, protector, and provider (verse 9), and immediately the promise is given.

                  b. When we believe, claiming Christ as our redeemer, the precious promises of eternal life are ours at once.

                        1) All who believe are redeemed (released from the awful penalty of sin by the payment of a ransom). Jesus has redeemed us by His blood (Ephesians 1-7; Colossians 1:14).

                        2) John 3:36 says: "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life...."

            3. Boaz recognizes the fact that Ruth is a virtuous woman; she has a good testimony among all the people of Bethlehem.

                  a. Ruth didn't flirt with or chase the boys (Verse 10). She had a reputation of being pure. John Gill says that she was "a good woman, of grace and virtue, having every agreeable qualification to recommend to the marriage state" (Volume 2, 102).

                  b. Ruth may have been a poor Moabite, but she had godly character and no one would fault Boaz for marrying her (Proverbs 12:4).

                  c. Ruth had a good name and that is something we all need (Proverbs 22-1).

                        1) It is important that the church have a good name. Some of the seven churches of Asia listed in the book of Revelation did not have a good name; Ephesus (Revelations 2:4), Pergamos (Revelations 2:14), Thyatira (Revelations 2:20), Sardis (Revelations 3:1), and Laodicea (Revelations 3:15-16).

                        2) It is also important that those members of the church who are out of fellowship clear their name by asking forgiveness of the church.

                  3) Does it matter to you what kind of name you have and what kind of name you give the church?

      B. Verse 12, Boaz, the honorable man that he was, reveals that there is one who stands in the way of his marrying Ruth. This other one must be dealt with.

            1. There was one who had to be dealt with before I could be saved. Satan had to be defeated by the blood of Jesus. Those who are saved have overcome the evil one by the blood of the Lamb.

           2. Boaz says that there is one who is closer to Ruth than he.

                  a. There was a time in my unregenerate state that I was closer to the Devil than I was to God. As a matter of fact, I was a child of disobedience (Ephesians 2:2-3).

                  b. Although Ruth had a nearer kinsman, Boaz has promised to settle the matter. The Lord Jesus, our greater Boaz, settled the matter of my redemption by redeeming me. He did so with His blood (Ephesians 2:1314a).

                  c. Just as Boaz had his eyes on Ruth (verse 11), the Lord had His eye on me.

      C. Verse 13, Boaz, the mighty man of wealth, assumes full responsibility for clearing this matter up. Jesus assumed full responsibility for my redemption according to His riches in grace (Ephesians 1:7-9).

            1. What a wonderful promise Boaz gives; he'll do what it takes to clear up the matter. Jesus, on the cross, did all that it takes to save sinners.

           2. Boaz tells Ruth to wait until morning. It is unsafe to travel. Boaz is here protecting his bride-to-be.

II. VERSE 14, THE PASSIVE COMPLIANCE OF RUTH

      A. Ruth obediently complied with the words of Boaz, the one in whom she had come to trust. She was drawn to Boaz because he was seeking her.

      B. Ruth pictures what every believer is to do. We are to obey our redeemer. Believers, like Ruth, are to lay at His feet until the dawning of a new day.

            1. This old world is a dark place for the believer, but the dawning of a new day is coming. It is a day of light with no darkness, health with no sickness, and holiness with no corruption.

           2. In the Song of Solomon 2:10-13, the bridegroom speaks lovingly to his bride and calls her away.

                  a. The rising up in verse 10 is a picture of the rapture of the church, the bride.

                  b. The fig tree in verse 13 pictures Israel back in their land and in bloom before the rapture.

III. VERSES 15-18, THE PROVISION OF PLENTY FOR RUTH

      A. Verse 15, Jamieson says that: "Eastern veils are large sheets- those of ladies being of red silk; but the poorer or common class of women wear them of blue or blue and white striped linen or cotton. They were wrapped round the head, so as to conceal the whole face except one eye" (Verse 1, 175).

            1. What a wonderful reward for waiting at the feet of Boaz- six measures of barley.

                 a. Six measures gives evidence of Boaz being satisfied with and accepting Ruth. The six measures were a token of acceptance.

                 b. Ephesians 1:6 says that believers are "accepted in the beloved."

           2. Ruth was rewarded for sitting at the feet of Boaz. We are always rewarded when we sit at Jesus feet for to do so is the very best thing to do, much better than the efforts of the flesh.

      B. Verse 16, Naomi knows that it is Ruth who has just come into the house so what does she mean here?

           1. Naomi also knows that Ruth's marital status is about to change. Was she about to be the wife of Boaz?

                 a. Who are you?

                 b. Are you the bride to be of Boaz?

            2. There is a good question to ask you at this point, my friend, are you saved or lost?

      C. Verse 17, Ruth, a picture of the church, the bride of Christ our greater Boaz, has something to give to Naomi, a picture of the Jews. What do we, the church, have for the Jews today? The Gospel.

      D. Verse 18, Ruth is to sit still and leave the work of redemption to Boaz. The work of redemption has to be his work.

           1. Thank God! For a wonderful Savior in whom you and I can place our trust and rest.

            2. Jesus Christ, our greater Boaz, has done all the work of redemption for us.

                 a. When Jesus Christ cried: "it is finished," it meant that redemption was finished.

                 b. James Smith says, "She sits still now, leaving him to do the redeeming work. What else could she do? The work was not hers, but his. She had his promise that he could finish the thing. So she rests in faith" (Volume V, 25).

CONCLUSION: "What must I do to be saved? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ....... Friend, Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow. Rest on His promises.