Ruth- Part 2
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Book of Ruth Read during second day of the Jewish Holiday Shavout
May 30th this year.
Ruth and her Mother-in-law Naomi are now heading back to Bethlehem
Sometimes we have to go back to the beginning in our lives
Slides of travel
This is Naomi’s home town
Here is how Naomi felt about life after loosing a husband and two sons!
“Don’t call me Naomi,” she responded. “Instead, call me Mara, for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me home empty. Why call me Naomi when the Lord has caused me to suffer and the Almighty has sent such tragedy upon me?”
19 So the two of them continued on their journey. When they came to Bethlehem, the entire town was excited by their arrival. “Is it really Naomi?” the women asked.
20 “Don’t call me Naomi,” she responded. “Instead, call me Mara, for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me. 21 I went away full, but the Lord has brought me home empty. Why call me Naomi when the Lord has caused me to suffer and the Almighty has sent such tragedy upon me?”
So the two of them continued on their journey. When they came to Bethlehem, the entire town was excited by their arrival. “Is it really Naomi?” the women asked.
“Don’t call me Naomi,” she responded. “Instead, call me Mara, for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me home empty. Why call me Naomi when the Lord has caused me to suffer and the Almighty has sent such tragedy upon me?”
Naomi means …Pleasant
Mara means....Bitter / sorrow
Why is the book of Ruth in the Bible?
Why is the book of Ruth in the Bible?
Why did God include this book?
We need to see an honest depiction of life
We need to see how Godly people handle life’s afflictions
1st
1st
Naomi’s recognition that this difficulty came through the Lord is important
She did not say the “Devil” did this to her.
We need to be clear on who ultimately is in control....
But what does “ in control” mean?
Does God’s will and desire always happen?
If Yes…
Then why are we to pray God’s will be done on earth if it automatically is?
Could God’s allowable will include :
Illness Opposition
Set Back Loss
37 Who can command things to happen without the Lord’s permission? 38 Does not the Most High send both calamity and good?
39 Look now; I myself am he! There is no other god but me! I am the one who kills and gives life; I am the one who wounds and heals; no one can be rescued from my powerful hand!
10 Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.
God makes the decision if these things are to happen.
Sovereign over the climate
10 God’s breath sends the ice, freezing wide expanses of water. 11 He loads the clouds with moisture, and they flash with his lightning. 12 The clouds churn about at his direction. They do whatever he commands throughout the earth. 13 He makes these things happen either to punish people or to show his unfailing love. 14 “Pay attention to this, Job. Stop and consider the wonderful miracles of God!
Lord over Temptation
31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. 32 But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”
Luke 22:
Peter was previously susceptible to satan’s influence when Jesus rebuked him (Going to Jerusalem)
The enemy does have some amount of ability to inflict
38 And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
God is sovereign over all of it
10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
If we are not in relationship with God
We will never be able to see the good that can come from bad experiences
We will not have the strength to think there might be a purpose in our setbacks
We will fall into bitterness and resentments when we suffer
Difficulty may come from the hand of God or the hand of the enemy
But God is over it all
Islamic saying...
In-shallah = If God Wills
Ruth’s Bitterness of Life
Naomi’s Bitterness
Bitterness
Naomi is in a place of surrendering to her circumstances
10 years had passed…seemed like there was no hope
The the coincidences start to happen
First…they return to Bethlehem at the beginning of the Harvest season
Ruth, Naomi’s daughter-in-law goes out to glean in the fields
3 So Ruth went out to gather grain behind the harvesters. And as it happened, she found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz, the relative of her father-in-law, Elimelech.
It was no coincidence that she landed in Boaz`s field
He was a relative of her Father-in-law Elimelech (now deceased)
IMPORTANT
Boaz is very wealthy and much older than Ruth
Boaz then speaks to her
Boaz then speaks to her
8 Boaz went over and said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Stay right here with us when you gather grain; don’t go to any other fields. Stay right behind the young women working in my field. 9 See which part of the field they are harvesting, and then follow them. I have warned the young men not to treat you roughly. And when you are thirsty, help yourself to the water they have drawn from the well.”
10 Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. “What have I done to deserve such kindness?” she asked. “I am only a foreigner.”
This is where Ruth’s previous acts of Integrity come into view
Integrity as a believer has rewards and promises attached
21 May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you.
9 People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed.
3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.
1chronicles
1 Declare me innocent, O Lord, for I have acted with integrity; I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
This last one certainly reflects Ruth’s character
Boaz tells us Ruth’s character is what made her known and respected
Christians need to be known for their character and integrity
Black people being freed from segregation and allowed into white jobs and opportunities
Had to perform their jobs with excellence and without fault
why?…because people were watching and waiting for a reason to criticize them
Society is waiting for opportunities to say I “told you so” about the church
I told you they were
Unloving judgemental simple minded
Intolerant Hypocrite
11 “Yes, I know,” Boaz replied. “But I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers. 12 May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.”
Next Week we will see how BOAZ and all that happens is a picture of what Christ has done for us.