Ruth 3

Ruth 3:1-18

Chapter 15 Ruth Comes To Boaz Rth 3:1-18 The Word of God is a declaration of redemption and grace in Christ. Not only does the Bible declare and explain God’s great purpose and mighty operations of grace, it gives us numerous types, pictures, and examples of it to which believers can relate. David And Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:1-13) Ezekiel’s Deserted Infant (Ezekiel 16:1-8) The Valley Of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37:1-14) Hosea And Gomer (Hosea 1-3) Lazarus’ Resurrection (John 11:1-46) Zachaeus’ Conversion (Luke 19:1-10) The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-24) The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:23-37) Onesimus’ Conversion (Philemon 1:1) Certainly, one of the most detailed and most beautifully instructive pictures of redemption and grace is the love story of Boaz and Ruth. Everyone likes a love story with a happy ending. The story begins with the declaration revealed in Elimelech’s name - “My God is King!” This story has two great themes, one hidden, the other revealed. The hidden theme is divine providence. The revealed theme is redemption (The Kinsman Redeemer). This story of redemption and grace is a story about a great fall.

Naomi went out full and came back empty (Rth 1:19-21). Her circumstances give a sad, sad portrait of the sin and fall of all the human race in our father Adam (Romans 5:12). Ruth and Naomi came to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest, which was (as we have seen) a picture of this present gospel age. Ruth gleaned in the field of Boaz, portraying the way sinners find bread for their souls in the Word of God, through the ministry of the Word in God’s house, the church. Boaz took special notice of Ruth, just as the Lord Jesus Christ took special notice of chosen sinners before the world began. As Boaz commanded his young men not to touch Ruth, so Christ has command all things to touch not his chosen. God’s elect are under his special protection (Hosea 2:18; Romans 8:28). As Boaz provided handfuls on purpose, specifically for Ruth, so the Lord Jesus rules and commands all things specifically for his chosen (John 17:2). Boaz was Ruth’s near kinsman, the one who had the right to redeem. As such, he portrays our great, incarnate God and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Hebrews 2:9-18). Here is a delightful point in this story of love, grace and redemption which is often overlooked. Boaz knew what his intentions were toward Ruth, just as Christ knew his intentions of love toward his people from eternity. He knew what he could and would do for Ruth, just as the Son of God knew what he could and would do for his church before the world began (Ephesians 1:3-7; Ephesians 5:25-27; 2 Timothy 1:9). Naomi also knew what Boaz could do if he would. The only one in the dark was Ruth; but she had seen Boaz. He had gotten her attention. In this third chapter, we see Ruth coming to Boaz. Here we have a beautiful, instructive picture of the way sinners come to Christ to obtain mercy and grace. Yet, the story is as much for the benefit of those who have long been wed to Christ as it is for those who have just begun to seek him. All who follow Ruth’s example shall find everlasting blessedness for their souls in Christ. “As ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him.”NAOMI’S WISE COUNSEL (Rth 3:1-4) In Rth 3:1-4, Naomi, Ruth’s mother-in-law, typically represents the church of God. The motherly characteristics of God’s church are set before us throughout the Scriptures. She is a mother to all who are born of God. (Isaiah 49).

Like a good mother, Naomi gave wise and godly counsel to Ruth. Do not fail to see that her counsel was indeed both wise, godly counsel. It was exactly according to the Word of God. It was designed of God to be a picture of grace. “Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee? And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley tonight in the threshingfloor. Wash thy self therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking. And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.” Naomi sought Ruth’s welfare, just as God’s church in this world seeks the welfare of chosen sinners (Rth 3:1). She knew their Kinsman-Redeemer and had great confidence in him (Rth 3:2; Rth 3:18). Naomi knew who Boaz was, where he was, and what he was able to do. These are the things she told Ruth. That is good witnessing! A good witness simply tells from personal experience and the testimony of Holy Scripture, who Christ is, where he is to be found, and what he is able to do for needy sinners. Next, Naomi told Ruth exactly what she must do (Rth 3:3-4). If Ruth would be wed to Boaz, that was altogether up to Boaz; but she must let him know that she was interested. She must use every means at her disposal to obtain his favor. She must seek him. Yet, she must seek him as one unworthy of his notice, as one totally dependent upon him. Naomi told Ruth to wash herself, go down to the threshing floor, mark the place where Boaz would lie, and lay herself at his feet.

Those who seek the Lord must seek him earnestly, with all their hearts (Jeremiah 29:11-13). As Ruth washed herself, so we must come to Christ in repentance, separating ourselves unto him. If we would find Christ, we must put ourselves in the place where he is to be found, in the house of God (the public assembly of his saints), under the preaching of the gospel (Matthew 18:20; 1 Corinthians 1:21). Marking the place where he shall lie, marking the promises of God in the gospel to believing sinners, let us come to Christ, putting God in remembrance of them, as he commands us to do (Isaiah 43:25-26). Like Ruth, we must lay ourselves down at the feet of our great Boaz, if we would obtain that mercy and grace which only he can give. This is the place of humility, worship, reverence, faith, and hope; and this is the place of blessing (Luke 7:36-50; Luke 10:38-42). Just wait there! - “Make not thyself known unto the man.” “He will tell thee what thou shalt do!”RUTH’S (Rth 3:5-7). “And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do. And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her. And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.” Remember, Ruth was a grown woman. She had already been married once. She was probably between 20-30 years old. Yet, she responded to godly instruction like a little child. “All that thou sayest unto me, I will do!” She did not know Boaz or the law of God, but Naomi did; so she listened to Naomi. She wanted Boaz. So she came to Boaz, softly. She ventured everything on his goodness. Imagine what could have happened to her. She came to him in the darkest hour of the night, at midnight. RUTH’S HUMBLE, BUT BOLD REQUEST (Rth 3:8-9). “And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet. And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.” Ruth had before offered a request to Boaz - “I pray you, let me glean” (Rth 2:7). Here she offers herself. She made a plain confession of herself, her need, and her utter dependence upon him. She said, “I am Ruth,” a stranger, without claim or merit before you. I am “Thy Handmaid,” your servant, at your disposal. Then, Ruth made a humble request. She said, “Spread thy skirt over thine handmaid.” That is to say, take me to be yours. This was a private, personal matter, between Ruth and Boaz alone. Not even Naomi could be involved in this. Faith in Christ is an intimate, personal thing. Having spread herself, her condition, and her needs before Boaz, Ruth then made one claim upon him She said, “Thou art a near kinsman.” With that claim, she was saying, You have the right and the power to redeem me. With the claim, came the plea of her soul - Will you redeem me? This is the way sinners in need of mercy come to the Savior; and all who come to him obtain the mercy they seek (Matthew 8:2-3).BOAZ’S PROMISE (Rth 3:10-13). “And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast showed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman. And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I. Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman’s part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth: lie down until the morning.” There was no reluctance at all on Boaz’s part to perform the part of a kinsman. He commended the wisdom of Ruth’s choice. He promised to do all that she wanted. And he declares her to be a virtuous woman. She was not such by nature. She was by nature exactly the same as her sister-in-law, Orpah, a Moabite. But grace had wrought a wonderful change in her. It always does (1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 2 Corinthians 5:17). Boaz was a willing redeemer; but something was more important to him than Ruth. Boaz would not act the redeemer’s part, if he could not do so in a way that honored God. Redemption must honor God’s holy law and righteous character (Romans 3:24-26). Grace is never exercised at the expense of righteousness, justice, and truth (Proverbs 16:6). RUTH’S IN BOAZ (Rth 3:14-18). “And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor. Also he said, Bring the veil that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city. And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her. And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law. Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.” Notice the two I wills in this chapter. Ruth said to Naomi, concerning Boaz, “I will do all that you say” (Rth 3:5). She was willing to follow the instruction of one who knew what was best for her soul. Then, Boaz said to Ruth, “I will do all that you say.” (Rth 3:11). What a blessing! The Son of God is willing to grant believing sinners everything we need as a matter of free grace, and always does. There are also two “rests” in the chapter, two blessed portrayals of true sabbath keeping.. There was a rest for Ruth (Rth 3:1). This is the rest of faith. Sinners coming to Christ cease from their own works and rest in him (Matthew 11:28-29). There is also a rest for Boaz (Rth 3:18). The Lord Jesus Christ, once he finished the work of redemption for us, entered into his rest; and his rest is glorious (Hebrews 4:10; Isaiah 11:10). Ruth stayed at Boaz’s feet all night. Boaz took great care to protect her. And he provided her with all she needed. She had his heart. She got his name. She had his corn. And she had him! When Ruth returned home she told Naomi all about Boaz. And Naomi assured Ruth of Boaz’s faithfulness (Rth 3:18; Philippians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:24). The Lord Jesus Christ is to his people all that Boaz was to Ruth. He has done for us all that was pictured in Boaz’s works of redemption for Ruth. We have obtained in him spiritually all that Ruth obtained in Boaz. Let us therefore give ourselves to him, as Ruth gave herself to Boaz, and live altogether for the honor of him who is our kinsman Redeemer (Romans 12:1-2;1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Titus 2:10).

Ruth 3:12-13

Chapter 16Three Nearer Kinsmen, But Only One Redeemer “And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I. Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman’s part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth: lie down until the morning.” Rth 3:12-13 Tragedies alone never convert sinners (Revelation 9:20; Revelation 16:9-11. The old proverb is true - “Any refuge built in the storm will die in the calm.” Acts of providential judgment do not produce repentance. A good scare will make a man seek a refuge; but it will not change his heart. Though these things are used of God to convert his elect, it is only when they are accompanied by the grace of God and only a saving revelation of Christ in the heart that they change the heart and produce repentance (Zechariah 12:10). “The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance” (Romans 2:4). However, God does use providential tragedies, judgments, and dangers to bring chosen sinners to Christ (Psalms 107:1-43). As we have seen, this fact is beautifully and clearly illustrated in the case of Ruth. Ruth, the chosen object of mercy, a Moabitess, must be saved. Therefore, God sent famine to Bethlehem-Judah. Elimelech went down to Moab. Naomi, Orpah, and Ruth were all widowed. All this was done to bring Ruth, the chosen object of mercy, to the place appointed of God for her to obtain mercy. In the saving of chosen sinners, God always utilizes the preaching of the gospel (Romans 10:10-17; 1 Corinthians 1:21; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23-25). This fact is beautifully illustrated in Rth 1:6. Almighty God never gets in a bind. He never needs to change his mind, or alter his purpose. At the appointed time, by one means or another, God will send someone to his elect with the good news of his free grace in Christ. However, there is one thing absolutely essential to the salvation of God’s elect, one thing without which no sinner could ever be saved, one thing without which God himself could never have saved anyone, is blood redemption. “Without shedding of blood is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22). God could save with or without earthly tragedies. Had he chosen to do so, certainly God could save without the ministry of the Word, had that been his purpose. But God cannot save apart from blood redemption. The whole purpose of the Book of Ruth is to teach us about redemption, more specifically, to teach us about Christ, our Kinsman Redeemer. Boaz had spotted Ruth in his fields. He took care of Ruth and provided for her. Ruth came to Boaz on the threshing floor and asked him to take her for his wife. He wanted her and was determined to have her; but the law of God had to be honored. Ruth had a nearer kinsman. Boaz knew the this nearer kinsman. He knew that if Ruth looked to that self-serving scoundrel for redemption she would never be redeemed at all. Yet, he had to be dealt with, according to the law. Boaz was ready, at any price, to perform the part of a kinsman to Ruth, the stranger from Moab. By nature, being a Moabitess, she was an aversion to him. Still, he loved her. He wanted her. But there was a kinsman nearer than he to Elimelech’s fallen family. So it is with the sons and daughters of Adam. Though there are many nearer to us by nature, there is none who could and would redeem us, but the Lord Jesus Christ, our Kinsman Redeemer. THE ANGELS OF GOD Some commentators suggest that the nearer kinsman represents the angels of God. Without question the angels are nearer kin to us than the Son of God in the natural order of creation. They are creatures like us. Christ is not a creature, but the Creator. The angels are the “sons of God” by creation (Job 1:6). Christ is the eternal Son, one with and co-eternal with the eternal Father. Like us, angels were created to be the servants of God. The Lord Jesus became the Father’s servant willingly (Isaiah 50:5-7). But redemption is a work no angel could ever perform. They might be able to assume human nature. They are holy creatures. But they are only finite creatures. They could never suffer the wrath of God to the full satisfaction of justice. They could never bring in everlasting righteousness. Besides, the angels of God were created to be ministering spirits to God’s elect (Hebrews 1:14). So far from being able to redeem, the angels of God look to redeemed sinners to learn about redemption (Ephesians 3:10-11). What folly it is for blind idolaters to talk about praying to the angels. They have no power or ability to redeem and save. This is the work of God alone. Therefore, our prayers go out to God alone. THE OLD MAN Some are of the opinion that this nearer kinsman represents the old man Adam, that is our fallen nature. Both Philip Mauro[3] and Ferrell Griswold[4] gave this interpretation to the passage. The law of God certainly made allowance for the man in bondage to redeem himself, if he were able (Leviticus 25:26). But that is a mighty big “if!” If you are going to save yourself, if you hope to redeem yourself, you only have to do three things: [3] Mauro, Phillip, Ruth The Satisfied Stranger, (Fleming H. Revel, Old Tappan, New Jersey, 1920), p. 205 [4] Griswold, Ferrell, Ruth (Series of sermons delivered to the First Baptist Church of Minor Heights), Birmingham, Alabama Perfectly Obey God’s Holy Law (Galatians 3:10). Make Complete Atonement For All Your Sin (Exodus 13:13). Give Yourself A New Heart (See Isaiah 1:16-18). Self-salvation is an utter impossibility! As both Mauro and Griswold pointed out, it is permissible; but it is not possible. No mere man can obey God’s law. No mortal can atone for sin and satisfy the infinite justice of the holy Lord God. And no man can make himself a new creature! Only the infinite God himself can do these things. Not only is self-salvation impossible, it is also impossible for any man to redeem another man (Psalms 49:7-9). We are but finite creatures of the dust. Redemption requires an infinite Savior, with infinite righteousness, infinitely meritorious blood, and infinite power. That is just the kind of Redeemer the Lord Jesus Christ is (Hebrews 10:5-14). THE LAW OF GOD A third nearer kinsman to us is the law of God. The law of God is holy, just, and good. It was made for man, for the benefit of man. The law, in its entirety, with all its rigors, commands, carnal ordinances, sacrifices, and legal ceremonies, was designed by God to bring us to and to shut us up to Christ as our only Savior (Galatians 3:24). But the law of God could never redeem and save fallen man (Romans 8:3; Galatians 3:21; Galatians 4:5-6; Hebrews 10:1-4). The law curses, but never cures. The law provides punishment, but not propitiation. The law bruises, but never blesses. The law gives terror, but never peace. As John Berridge wrote… “The law demands a weighty debt, And not a single mite will bate; The gospel sings of Jesus’ blood, And says it made the payment good. The law provokes men oft to ill, And churlish hearts makes harder still; The gospel acts the kinder part And melts the hard and stubborn heart. ‘Run, run, and work,’ the law commands, Yet finds me neither feet nor hands; But sweeter news the gospel brings; It bids me fly, and gives me wings! (Such needful wings, O Lord, impart, To brace my feet and brace my heart; Good wings of faith and wings of love Will make the cripple spritely move.) With these my lumpish soul may fly, And soar aloft, and reach the sky; Nor faint, nor falter in the race, But cheerfully work and sing of grace.” As Ruth’s nearer kinsman was unable and thus unwilling to redeem her, so these three nearer kinsman of ours are incapable of redeeming our souls. But, blessed be God, there is one who has made himself a nearer kinsman than any others, and he is both able and willing to redeem! CHRIST ALONEThe Lord Jesus Christ is our one and only kinsman Redeemer. The Son of God has made himself our kinsman that he might be our Redeemer (2 Corinthians 8:9; Hebrews 2:10-18). He took our human nature into union with his divine nature, so that he might redeem us from the curse of the law by the sacrifice of himself. Someone once said, “God could not suffer and man could not satisfy; but the God man has both suffered and satisfied.” The Lord Jesus Christ, our kinsman Redeemer, has willingly done the kinsman’s part for us. Christ is a willing Savior. He willingly became Jehovah’s servant, because he loved us (Exodus 21:1-5). He is an able Savior, too. (Hebrews 7:25). He has done everything for us that the law of God required a kinsman to do. He paid our debt. He redeemed us from bondage. He married the desolate. He raised up children to the dead, a seed to serve him forever. The love of Christ for us far exceeds the love of any on this earth. “We love him because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). As his love for us exceeds all earthly loves, let our love for him exceed all earthly loves as well.