Falling in love with Jesus pt 6

C.  RUTH MEETS BOAZ and the THRESHING FLOOR– Chapter 2:1-3:18

Ruth asks permission from Naomi  to glean the field.  (Pick up the left overs as provided by law the land owner was to leave some of the harvest for the widows and orphans to pick up.

Naomi was so absorbed in her grief that she says “God ahead my daughter”.

God leads Ruth to the fields of Boaz.  Unknowingly to Ruth Boaz is a relative on her husband’s side.

Boaz returning fromJerusalemtalks with his field hands and then to his foreman.  He asks his foreman who Ruth was and is told she came back fromMoabwith Naomi.  He tells Boaz “she has worked steadily”

Boaz invites Ruth to come every day to his fields to glean.  Ruth is overwhelmed with Boaz’s kindness.  Ruth bows down to the ground and says “WHY HAVE I FOUND SUCH FAVOR IN YOUREYESTHAT YOU NOTICE ME – A FOREIGNER?”

Boaz begins to list her qualities that he had heard about her…2:11“you have been kind to your mother in law since the death of your husband, you left your mother and father  and your homeland.”

In 3:11, “You have not run after younger men” All the towns people know that you are a woman of noble character.”

Naomi wanting to find Ruth a home where she will be provided for suggests that since Boaz is a kinsman of theirs that Ruth go and lay at the feet of Boaz at the threshing floor.

By lying at Boaz’s feet she is offering herself to him for marriage.  Boaz responds “this kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier…..I will do all that you ask.”….but there is a kinsman-redeemer nearer than I.

Boaz protecting her reputation sends Ruth away early in the morning and then goes to the city gate and sat there.  When the kinsman-redeemer came along Boaz says “Come over here my friend, and sit down.”  He then calls ten of the elders of the city to come and sit down with them. 

Boaz then tells him that Naomi is selling the property that she is entitled to redeem.  The kinsman-redeemer agrees to buy the property but immediately back tracks because Ruth is part of the deal.  He does not want to endanger his own property.

Boaz must have been chuckling to himself….as he offers to be the kinsman-redeemer.

Boaz and Ruth are married and have a son…who they named Obed….they placed Obed in Naomi’s lap — Obed means Servant of the Lord. and in 4:15“The women said to Naomi…Praise be to the Lord who this day has not left you without a kinsman redeemer.  May he become famous throughout Israel.  He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age.  For your daughter in law who loves and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.”

Naomi goes from fullness to emptiness back to fullness – from Pleasant to Bitter back to Pleasant….She has been redeemed from her emptiness!

ONLY GOD RESTORES AND REDEEMS.

JESUS IS OUR KINSMAN REDEEMER.  THROUGH THE CROSS AND THE BLOOD OF JESUS WE ARE REDEEMED.