1September 19, 2010

Ruth

Story of love, faithfulness, loyalty, and

God's blessings for such a life.

Ruth 2 1 And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of the family of Elimelechof Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.

2

Mighty = gibbor = powerfulpowerful; by implication warrior, champion, chiefchief, × excel, giant, man, mighty (man, one), strongstrong (man), valiantvaliant man.

Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary.

Wealth = hayil = a forcea force, … an armyarmy, wealthwealth, virtuevirtue, valorvalor, strength … valiant (-ly), …

Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary.

It wasn't about just just whatwhat he had, but whowho he was.

Boaz was a man of good charactergood character.

3

In studyingstudying one phrase describing him as a ""mighty man of wealthmighty man of wealth""

We see that he was courageouscourageous, strongstrong, a championchampion, a warriorwarrior, a virtuous manvirtuous man.

We will seesee as we progress through the Book of Ruth

that his strengthstrength and couragecourage were not merely physical traitsphysical traits,

But he was spiritually strongspiritually strong, and lived a godly godly lifelife.

We know from our study of Judges that the nationnation as a whole was backslidbackslid.

But God always has a remnantremnant who remain loyal.

4

Romans 11 1 I say then, Hath God cast away His people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God hath not cast away His people which He foreknew. Wot ye not what the Scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,

3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. 4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to Myself seven thou-sand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.

5 Even soEven so then at this present timethis present time also there is a a remnantremnant according to the election of grace.

5

In the time of the Judges, BoazBoaz was a part of God's remnantGod's remnant of faithful men.

2 And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.

6

Leviticus 19 9-10 And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest. And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the Lord your God.

God commanded His people to make provisionmake provision for the poorfor the poor in their midst.

7

We will see that BoazBoaz far exceeded the Commandment in generositygenerosity.

God will bless

Generous

Observe Ruth's humility. When Providence had made her poor, she cheerfully stoops to her lot. High spirits will rather starve than stoop; not so Ruth. Nay, it is her own proposal. She speaks humbly in her expectation of leave to glean. We may not demandnot demand kindness as a debt, but askbut ask, and take it as a favor, though in a small matter.

Matthew Henry Concise Bible Commentary.

8

Ruth was also a person of good character.We have already seen that she lovedloved her husband

and was kindkind to him and Naomi.

Ruth also was an example of industry. She loved not to eat the bread of idleness. This is an example to young people. Diligence promises well, both for this world and the other. We must not be shy of any honest employment. No labor is a reproach.

SinSin is a thing below usbelow us, but we must not think any thing else so, to which Providence call us.

Matthew Henry Concise Bible Commentary.

9

Proverbs 12 27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

10

To wastewaste God's Provision is sinful.

To take care oftake care of and make good usemake good use of God's God's ProvisionProvision is both wise and diligent.MaintainMaintain your house and your car.

EatEat your leftovers.Put your clothesclothes away when you take them off.

Manage your money, looking aheadlooking ahead to future need.

Proverbs 6 6-8 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.

11

A A will to workwill to work is a godly is a godly virtue.virtue.As Matthew Henry put it, "When Providence had

made Ruth poor, she cheerfully stoops to her lot."

Let us not not be prideful in this world.

Be content to live as Godas God has made opportunity.

Ecclesiastes 9 10a Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; …

12

It doesn't matter if a job seems to be beneathbeneath your ability, education, or training,

Do it with Do it with allall your might. your might.

Strive for excellenceStrive for excellence!!God will reward your efforts, whether

the boss does or not.

3 And she (Ruth) went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hapher hap (accident, fortune, chance) was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of kindred of ElimelechElimelech.

13

It appeared to be chancechance that brought Ruth to this particular field belonging to Boaz,

But we know it was the Hand of Hand of GodGod.

4 And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The Lord be with you. And they answered him, The Lord bless thee.

14

We see more of the godly character and virtues of Boaz in this simple verse.

Though he was a man of wealth and power,

He greeted his workers with kindness and a blessing.

They respondedresponded in kind.

You can tell much about a person's heartheart condition by their habits of speechhabits of speech.

15

Proverbs 18 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

We need to guard our tongues to speak only life-producing wordslife-producing words.

Strive to break bad speech habits.

Form good speech habits.

Matthew 12 34-35 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speakethabundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

16

Over time, our words will reveal usreveal us for who we really are.

Mean Good

Words have tremendous Words have tremendous power.power.

17

James 3 10-11 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

"Good morning Lord." "Good lord, it's morning."

"Have a blessed day." "Good luck."

"Go to blazes."

"I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me."

18

"I can't do it." "I'm weak."

"I can't help it." "I'm just a loser."

We need to acknowledge that we arewe are the sons and daughters of The Most High God,

And speakspeak and actact accordingly!

In a time when fewwhen few loved God and lived for Him, Ruth and BoazRuth and Boaz set the example.