Sunday, November 5, 2000   

INTRODUCTION: The book of Ruth has a strange ending for a love story; it ends a genealogy.

As you will recall the story began with heartache, pain, disappointment, and death. First, there is the famine in Bethlehem Judah, the house of bread. Then the little family of Elimelech moves to the heathen land of Moab. Naomi's boys marry heathen girls. Next, tragedy strikes when Elimelech, Mahlon and Chilion die and are buried in an ungodly country. Naomi now has three graves, a broken heart, and two lost daughter-in-laws.

Naomi decides to go back home to Bethlehem and urges her daughter-in-laws to stay in Moab. Orpah stays, but Ruth refuses to stay (1:15-17).

By the providence of God, Boaz, the kinsman redeemer, meets Ruth, redeems her, wedding bells chime, and a precious baby is born: a baby that makes Naomi a happy grandmother. The story could have ended with verse 17 of chapter 4, but it doesn't. It ends with a genealogy, the importance of which we will discuss later.

I. VERSE 13, THE KINSMAN'S WIFE

      A. In verse 11, all the elders had said: “We are witnesses." The elders witness the fact that Boaz has purchased Ruth. He has redeemed her; she is legally his wife.

            1. The marriage was not consummated until it was legal. God's plan is to save yourself for marriage.

                 a. Some thought that Ruth, being from Moab, would not be virtuous; she proved them wrong (3:10-11).

                 b. Hebrews 13:4 teaches us that marriage is God's plan. "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled..."

                 c. I Corinthians 6:18 says: "Flee fornication......”

           2. Back in chapter 2 verse 12, Boaz had prayed that God would bless Ruth, the pious proselyte, who had come to trust the God of Israel.

                  a. Now it is Boaz who is the instrument of this blessing. He had made his own words good.

                  b. In John 17:9, the Lord Jesus prayed for His disciples, those who were with Him. Then in John 17:20, He prayed for me and for all who believe in verse 24. He prays that we would be blessed to see His glory and abide forever with Him.

                  c. I am so thankful that God, at times, choose to raise up the poor out of the dust and allow them to sit in heavenly places (Psalms 113:7-8).

                        1) Ruth was poor, but Boaz made her rich.

                        2) I was bankrupt spiritually, but my greater Boaz has made me rich spiritually (Ephesians 2:4-9).

           3. In this book we have God's old-fashioned plan. First comes love; then comes marriage; then comes Ruth with a baby carriage.

II. VERSES 14-17, THE KINSMAN'S MOTHER-IN-LAW

      A. Verse 14, The women of Bethlehem congratulate Naomi more than they do Boaz or Ruth. Why? Because she was the matchmaker. She put them together that night at the threshing floor. Yes, God had already placed Ruth in the field of Boaz by His providence, but it was Naomi who brought them together.

            1. God in His foreknowledge and providence place His own under the sound of the Gospel, but it is the Holy Spirit who brings the sinner and the Savior together.

           2. II Thessalonians 2:13-14a

            3. 1 Peter 1:2

           4. John 6:44, 63.

      B. Verse 15, Naomi, upon her return to Bethlehem old the inhabitants of the city: "Call me not Naomi, call me Mara [bitter]."

            1. Naomi had lived a sorrowful life after her departure from God's people.

                 a. Her husband died and was buried in Moab.

                 b. Her sons married heathen girls.

                 c. Her sons died in Moab.

                 d. She had gone out full, but lost her spiritual blessing in a far country (1:21a).

           2. Now, a grandchild has brought comfort to her sorrowful spirit. She had expected nothing, but God had blessed her. All who are truly saved can say: "I have more than I deserve."

                  a. She had a daughter-in-law who greatly loved her.

                  b. Now she has a precious little grandson.

            3. One of these days the spiritual truth of this verse concerning Israel will come true through the child Jesus who was born hundreds of years after the birth of Obed. Both were born in Bethlehem and both bless their people.

     a. In the midst of the tribulation, the Jews will see Christ as their only hope; they will see Him as Messiah (Zechariah 12:10).

                 b. By pouring out His spirit of grace, the Lord will restore Israel spiritually.

      C. Verse 16, Here in verse 16, Naomi takes the child and lays it on her bosom, showing her affection and love.

           1. During the tribulation, the Jewish nation will embrace Jesus. They will hold Him close.

            2. The Bible says that "Blindness in part is happened to Israel..." (Romans 11:25-28).

      D. Verse 17, The women of Bethlehem named the little boy Obed.

           1. "Obed" means "a servant.

            2. It is not shame to be a servant of God. Those who are saved are born to be God's servants. Jesus told his disciples that "He that is greatest among you shall be your servant" (Matthew 23:11).

           3. God will bless as long as we have a servant's heart.

III. VERSES 18-22, THE KINSMAN'S GENEALOGY

      A. These verses give the genealogy of Obed. This genealogy is proof positive of the Bible's inspiration.

            1. As we carefully read over this genealogy, we see that there are ten generations from Pharez to David. It is no accident that David, the shepherd king, is the tenth in line from Pharez.

                 a. The story of this genealogy goes back to Genesis 38 where the sordid story of Judah and Tamar is told.

                        1) Er, Tamar's husband, died before they had children.

                        2) Onan, Judah's second son, was slain because of his failure to consummate a union with Tamar as the law required.

                        3) Judah then refused to give Shelah, his youngest, to Tamar when he came of age as he promised.

                       4) Tamar plays the harlot. Judah goes in unto her, and out of this union comes Pharez.

                  b. As we carefully read Deuteronomy 23:2, we see that David was the first legitimate heir to the throne of Israel. Up until David, no one qualified to be king.

            2. Saul was the people's choice. He was anointed out of an earthen vessel that breaks, a picture of weakness.

                 a. The people wanted a king to be like other nations (I Samuel 8:5-6).

                 b. They got what they wanted and paid the price (Psalms 106:15).

           3. David was God's choice in God's time. David was anointed out of a ram's horn, a picture of strength. It would chip, but not break. God's will and way is always best.

            4. The book of Ruth is a wonderful romance of redemption, but it also proves David's legal claim to the throne.

CONCLUSION: The story of Ruth is one of romance and redemption. Have you trusted the Lord Jesus as your redeemer?