Ruth 3 - Promised Redemption
MAIN POINT: The depth of God’s love for us is indescribable.
In Ruth 3, we find both risk and love. We have learned from Boaz’s and Ruth’s examples that there is risk involved in following God. Boaz risked his property, his rights, and his reputation to reach out to Ruth. Ruth risked her reputation and her life to reach out to Boaz. Through it all, God revealed His indescribable love.
Although Naomi struggled with over her losses (see 1:20-21), she affirmed that God had shown kindness to her when Ruth was allowed to gather grain in the fields of none other than a close relative of her deceased husband (see 2:20). Furthermore, Naomi was undoubtedly aware of the stipulations in God’s law about preserving family names and property allotments (see Lev. 25:25-28; Deut. 25:5-10). Finally, and to her credit, Naomi continued to consider ways that she could contribute to her and Ruth’s well-being and future security (see Ruth 3:1). In particular, she recognized an opportunity for Boaz, a close relative, to act as the family redeemer.
READ RUTH 3:1-9.
This was a unique opportunity. Boaz would be winnowing barley in a more secluded place than the field where they previously encountered each another. The message in uncovering Boaz’s feet was clear. By this act, Ruth was inquiring about Boaz’s willingness to fulfill the role of family redeemer, to take her as a wife and provide for her.
READ RUTH 3:10-18.
Boaz complimented Ruth as a noble woman and agreed to pursue the matter of family redemption the next day, explaining that a closer family member first had to be consulted. In verse 11, Boaz told Ruth he would do what she asked. Knowing that Boaz was a close relative of her late husband, Ruth had come to Boaz privately and asked him to spread his cloak over her (v. 9). In Hebrew, this is the exact phrase Boaz used when he observed that Ruth had come for refuge under the wings of the Lord God of Israel (2:12). Ruth was asking Boaz to be her family redeemer who would protect her and marry her so her late husband’s line and inheritance would continue.
Although Boaz was willing to take Ruth as his wife, the matter was not yet settled. From the standpoint of Israelite legal practice, there was another man who had the right to marry her first. Boaz could not marry Ruth unless the closest male relative passed on the opportunity. Boaz’s words reveal two things about his character. First, he was careful about following the law and yielding to the rights of others. Second, Boaz was concerned primarily for the well-being of Naomi and Ruth. If this relative would take care of them, then all was good. In other words, Ruth’s and Naomi’s future care took priority over what Boaz was personally willing to do.
The word translated “kindness” is “hesed,” which has no comparable word in English. It is kindness, grace, mercy, compassion, love, loyalty, and faithfulness all rolled into one. The majority of the time, this word is used in the Old Testament to describe God’s love toward His covenant people. It is a uniquely divine love that always originates in God.
This God is the one who vows to protect you. The God of the universe spreads His garment over you. He becomes your refuge. When you are under the protection of your God, you will never find yourselves empty for all of eternity. He has staked His glory on providing for your needs, and His love has a price. This is the gospel.
In Ruth 3, we find that love is patient, love protects, love is pure, love provides, and love has a price. Which of these qualities of love do you struggle the most to receive? To give? Why?
What is a risk God wants you to take that would demonstrate your love for Him? What holds you back from taking risks for God?
PRAYER
Thank God for His indescribable love, and for the way people in the pages of Scripture reveal to us more about Him than we could ever understand in a list of names or adjectives. Pray for anyone you know who has not yet received His love, and invite God to give you the courage to take risks for their good and His glory.
- Are you typically a risk-taker, or do you like to play it safe? Why?
- What is the riskiest thing you have done lately?
- What role does risk play in your relationship with God?
In Ruth 3, we find both risk and love. We have learned from Boaz’s and Ruth’s examples that there is risk involved in following God. Boaz risked his property, his rights, and his reputation to reach out to Ruth. Ruth risked her reputation and her life to reach out to Boaz. Through it all, God revealed His indescribable love.
Although Naomi struggled with over her losses (see 1:20-21), she affirmed that God had shown kindness to her when Ruth was allowed to gather grain in the fields of none other than a close relative of her deceased husband (see 2:20). Furthermore, Naomi was undoubtedly aware of the stipulations in God’s law about preserving family names and property allotments (see Lev. 25:25-28; Deut. 25:5-10). Finally, and to her credit, Naomi continued to consider ways that she could contribute to her and Ruth’s well-being and future security (see Ruth 3:1). In particular, she recognized an opportunity for Boaz, a close relative, to act as the family redeemer.
READ RUTH 3:1-9.
- What has remained constant in Naomi and Ruth since chapter 1? What is different?
- What risks did Ruth take as she followed Naomi’s advice to approach Boaz (vv. 5-9)?
- Since God is sovereign and was working on Ruth and Naomi’s behalf, why didn’t He just put the idea in Boaz’s head to approach Ruth?
- How has God required risk-taking from you as you have followed Him? How have you seen His love in the risk-taking?
This was a unique opportunity. Boaz would be winnowing barley in a more secluded place than the field where they previously encountered each another. The message in uncovering Boaz’s feet was clear. By this act, Ruth was inquiring about Boaz’s willingness to fulfill the role of family redeemer, to take her as a wife and provide for her.
READ RUTH 3:10-18.
- What risks did Boaz take to reach out to Ruth and allow her into his life?
- What does Boaz’s response to Ruth’s request (vv. 10-11) and his actions in verses 14-16 tell us about how he treated Ruth? What temptations likely existed for them both?
Boaz complimented Ruth as a noble woman and agreed to pursue the matter of family redemption the next day, explaining that a closer family member first had to be consulted. In verse 11, Boaz told Ruth he would do what she asked. Knowing that Boaz was a close relative of her late husband, Ruth had come to Boaz privately and asked him to spread his cloak over her (v. 9). In Hebrew, this is the exact phrase Boaz used when he observed that Ruth had come for refuge under the wings of the Lord God of Israel (2:12). Ruth was asking Boaz to be her family redeemer who would protect her and marry her so her late husband’s line and inheritance would continue.
- What would Boaz need to do before agreeing to be Naomi and Ruth’s family redeemer? What is the lesson here for us?
Although Boaz was willing to take Ruth as his wife, the matter was not yet settled. From the standpoint of Israelite legal practice, there was another man who had the right to marry her first. Boaz could not marry Ruth unless the closest male relative passed on the opportunity. Boaz’s words reveal two things about his character. First, he was careful about following the law and yielding to the rights of others. Second, Boaz was concerned primarily for the well-being of Naomi and Ruth. If this relative would take care of them, then all was good. In other words, Ruth’s and Naomi’s future care took priority over what Boaz was personally willing to do.
- What kindness did Boaz recognize in Ruth’s behavior? What kindness was evident in Boaz’s behavior? What do these acts of kindness reveal about the lovingkindness of God?
The word translated “kindness” is “hesed,” which has no comparable word in English. It is kindness, grace, mercy, compassion, love, loyalty, and faithfulness all rolled into one. The majority of the time, this word is used in the Old Testament to describe God’s love toward His covenant people. It is a uniquely divine love that always originates in God.
- In what ways do you see grace-filled kindness in this passage? Mercy? Compassion? Love? Loyalty? Faithfulness? Which of those words best describe the kind of love God has demonstrated toward you?
This God is the one who vows to protect you. The God of the universe spreads His garment over you. He becomes your refuge. When you are under the protection of your God, you will never find yourselves empty for all of eternity. He has staked His glory on providing for your needs, and His love has a price. This is the gospel.
In Ruth 3, we find that love is patient, love protects, love is pure, love provides, and love has a price. Which of these qualities of love do you struggle the most to receive? To give? Why?
What is a risk God wants you to take that would demonstrate your love for Him? What holds you back from taking risks for God?
- When did you first receive the indescribable love of God? If you never have, what is holding you back? Who is someone you can take a risk on to share God’s love this week?
PRAYER
Thank God for His indescribable love, and for the way people in the pages of Scripture reveal to us more about Him than we could ever understand in a list of names or adjectives. Pray for anyone you know who has not yet received His love, and invite God to give you the courage to take risks for their good and His glory.
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