Word of Salvation – Vol.44 No.21 – June 1999

 

Providence and Characteristics of Godly People

 

Sermon by Rev W Bosker

on Ruth 2:1-23

Scripture Readings: Deuteronomy 32:7-12; Psalm 91:1-4, 14-16

Suggested Hymns: BOW 182; 169; 430; 499:1-3, 5; 329

 

Dear Congregation, Brothers and Sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ

Last time we saw that God is able to make roses out of a bed of thorns.  Naomi returned to Bethlehem poor, empty and bitter at her life’s circumstances.  Yet faith was still alive in her because she held on to her faithful, promise-keeping God, and called Him “the Almighty”.  The God who is at His best when we are at our worst.

We also learned that believers can be honest with God about their feelings, provided we remember that He will always be our Rock and salvation.  He is greater than our circumstances, and being a God of grace, He is able to make good out of evil.

God has said of Himself: “A bruised reed he will not break and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out” (Is 42:3).  In the New Testament it is said like this: “No temptation (trial) has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted (tested) beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted (tested), He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (1Cor 10:13).

Our text begins with the barley harvest and Naomi in bitterness, poverty and sadness.  It ends with a harvest in more than one sense and a situation of comfort, hope and provision.  We see again how God cares and provides, surprising us with His grace.  We have a God who proves that He is able to raise roses from a bed of thorns.

Our text, Ruth 2, is a day in the lives of three people.  By faith we can see the Lord’s hand in the circumstances of Boaz, Ruth and Naomi.  At the same time we have a portrait of these godly people.  It’s wonderful to see the effects of God’s grace and care in their lives.  May God’s Word arouse and stimulate faith in your life as you contemplate what He is doing and is able to do in you, for you and through you.

Lord’s Day 10 contains a beautiful description of God’s providence.  Remember it came out of the trials and struggles of life in the 1500s.  “Providence is the almighty and ever present power of God by which He upholds, as with His hand, heaven and earth and all creatures, and so rules them that leaf and blade, rain and drought, fruitful and lean years, food and drink, health and sickness, prosperity and poverty – all things, in fact, come not to us by chance but from His fatherly hand” (Q&A 27, Heidelberg Catechism).

The evidence that God is clearly working in this situation comes in the naming of Boaz as a relative from Naomi’s husband’s side (vs 1).  Naomi thought she had come back empty-handed, but the Lord was providing for her ahead of time.

Ruth knew enough about God’s Word and His care for the poor and disadvantaged in Israel.  God had given a safety net for the poor, the widowed and the stranger (Lev.19:9-10; Deut.24:19).  They could follow the harvesters and the grain left behind was for them.  When farmers followed these instructions, God said He would bless the work of their hands.

We can see that the Lord cares for every person, rich or poor.  His laws reflect a compassion for those in need, and His desire that those with greater wealth be generous with what God has given them.  Our society can learn much from God’s Word.  Here is true social justice from God’s perspective.

As it happens, Ruth ends up in Boaz’ field.  Here again, God’s providence is at work.  Boaz has heard about Ruth’s kindness and loyalty to her mother-in-law, and he responds in kindness and generosity to Ruth.

Boaz the wealthy farmer is attracted to Ruth, a poor widow.  This too is not by chance, but part of God’s providence.  At the end of the day’s work, Ruth goes home to Naomi with about a 20 litre drum of barley.

That was more than a day’s supply for a day’s work, so Naomi asked where Ruth had gleaned.

When the name of Boaz was mentioned, Naomi’s eyes lit up.  She saw the hand of God at work!  “The LORD bless him!  …The LORD has not stopped showing His kindness to the living and the dead…  That man is our close relative; he is one of our kinsmen-redeemers” (vs 20).

This is quite a change from chapter 1:20.  But Naomi has the eye of faith to see God’s kindness.  She praises God and blesses the human instrument God used in bringing Boaz into their lives.

We should cultivate such an awareness of God’s presence and providence.  It’s not over-spiritualising, but simply living by the definition of God’s providence as we read it in Lord’s Day 10.  Nothing happens by chance, but all things come from God’s fatherly hand.  From being widowed to being cared for by God’s generous people.  In fact we can all learn a special lesson from this text: God’s kindness is most often shown through people.

If you are unwilling to show kindness and generosity you are resisting God and you will miss out on many blessings.  But if you share that aspect of God’s nature and Christ’s likeness, you will become a channel of much joy to others, as well as to God and you will experience the pleasure of extending grace and kindness to another human being.  As Jesus said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).  And look what He gave?

In Hebrews 13 it says, “Keep on loving each other as brothers.  Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it” (Heb 13:1-2).

Consider this: God generally shows His kindness to us through people:

• How did you hear about the gospel of Jesus? Usually through a person telling you about Him.
• Who cares for you when you are sick? Who comforts you when you are discouraged?
• How does God bring joy and gladness into your heart?

Is it not nearly always through a person whom God uses as His instrument?  We have the privilege and responsibility of being the human face of God to others.

God chose the method of incarnation (assuming human flesh) in sending us Christ Jesus.  He still uses the incarnation method when He uses us to channel love, kindness, grace and mercy to others.

Naomi saw God’s kindness in Boaz.  Ruth was God’s channel of comfort to the widowed Naomi.  Just think of how God could use you to be the human face of God to someone He wants you to extend His kindness!

This is all part of understanding the way God’s providence works.  That is very much a feature of this chapter, and indeed the whole book of Ruth.  May we learn this lesson well.

Our text is also a character study of three godly people.  We want to look at them briefly, even though we could spend a sermon on each if we went into all the fine detail.

BOAZ

Boaz is introduced to us in chapter 2:1 as “a man of standing”.  He was respected in the community for his fairness, consideration, hospitality and generosity.  We can see that in the way he greeted his harvesters.  “The LORD be with you” (vs 4).  What a way for a boss to greet his employees!  They in turn called back, “The LORD bless you.”  Wouldn’t our industrial relations undergo a revolution if bosses and employees treated each other this way?

Boaz noticed Ruth among the gleaners.  He showed great respect for her and, as the landowner, she came under his protection.  He is concerned for her safety and virtually puts Ruth on his payroll.  Boaz has heard of Ruth’s kindness to her mother-in-law and he now extends kindness to her.

Ruth is a defenceless young widow.  Boaz is aware of the potential for sexual harassment and abuse when he tells his men not to touch her.

If we thought this was all 20th century enlightenment and liberation, remember that our text is some 1200 years before Christ!

RUTH

Ruth is described in chapter 3:11 as “a woman of noble character”.  She has the qualities of the “Proverbs 31 woman”.  No wonder Boaz found her attractive!

Ruth was hard working and loyal to her mother-in-law.  She asks for Naomi’s consent to provide food for both of them.  She could have been out looking for a husband, but she chose to be a servant and provider for the older Naomi.  Which mother wouldn’t be proud of such a daughter-in-law?

We see her humility when she meets Boaz (vs 10) and her diligence was noticed by the foreman (vs 7).  Ruth is also generous in sharing with Naomi not only her gleanings, but also some of the meal Boaz had given her (vss.14, 18).

The last words of our text are a loaded statement: “And she lived with her mother-in-law” (vs 23).  Ruth was not looking for self-interest.  She chose to care for Naomi, and we know the LORD was caring for Ruth.

Here again is an example of someone being the human face of God, expressing His kindness in personal relationships.  The Lord would bless Ruth for it, and He will bless you, too.

NAOMİ

Naomi shows her living faith in this chapter.  Although she is receding into the background of the story, her perception as to what God is doing in these circumstances is a wonderful exercise of faith.  Naomi, too, is concerned for the well-being of Ruth when she suggested it would be good for her to work in Boaz’ field, because elsewhere Ruth might be harmed

Naomi’s response in vs 20 shows her confidence in the Almighty’s provision and providence.  With a measure of excitement she may have seen something unfolding in God’s plan for Ruth and Boaz.  She certainly became an instrument towards that end with her advice to Ruth in Chapter 3!

While I have left it to last, vs 12 is one of the most important verses in this chapter.  Boaz welcomes Ruth, the Moabitess as one who has come to the LORD, the God of Israel and seeks refuge under His wings.  This is what Boaz, a godly man of faith must have found most attractive in Ruth.  She was a woman after his own heart.  Together they join the family line to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Boaz was the son of Rahab, the prostitute in Jericho who chose to trust in God and as a foreigner joined God’s people (Mat.1:5).  Just as Rahab took refuge under the wings of the Almighty, so did her son Boaz.  Now he recognises the same virtues in Ruth, a foreigner from Moab who has also joined God’s people.

Rahab, Boaz and Ruth are all ancestors of the Lord Jesus Christ.  They are living proof that God has always wanted to extend His covenant promises and blessings to all people of all nations, according to His promise to Abraham (Gen12:3).

It is by God’s mercy that we can also trust in Him and find refuge under His wings.  We know in even more detail how God has rescued us through the life, work and sacrifice of His Son, our Saviour.  May this part of God’s Word stimulate faith in your heart, and give you confidence in the way God directs your life by His providence.

Be the human face of God to others as you show them kindness and compassion.

As we see the godly virtues of Boaz, Ruth and Naomi, may we be known in our families and to our friends as people who have taken refuge under the wings of our promise-keeping covenant LORD, the God of believing Israel.

Amen.