KingdomView, Vol. V, Issue 5
CNLT Focus on the Family Series
Scripture: Ruth 1-4
Sermon Summary
Nationwide Insurance ran a national campaign ad that emphasized the phrase, "When life comes at you fast." One particular ad featured a young man grooming himself for a night out on the town. He glances into the medicine cabinet mirror and thinks oh what a handsome devil I am. He briefly opens the medicine cabinet door to remove an item and when he closes the door and peers into the mirror again, he discovers that he is no longer a young man but an aged senior citizen. Yep, you guessed it the commercial ends with the hook, "When life comes at you fast!" Life does come at us fast and for those who are single you might be feeling the pressures of life and the challenges of the culture pressing in on you. Some of you are dealing with those dreaded questions and nagging internal fears. For instance, "When are you going to get married" because I want grandchildren? Or, "How old are you now, you know time is ticking?" and, "Will I ever find a good Christian woman or man" just to name a few? Such concerns can lead to depression, desperation, alienation and a downright sense of hopelessness for some singles whether Christian or not. Does the Bible address any of these issues? The answer is yes it does and in fact all of them. The story of Naomi and Ruth can shed some light on these very issues.
The Book of Ruth deals with the challenging saga of two women, Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth, who have become single women due to the untimely demise of their husbands. Their story is most encouraging and instructive for those experiencing the external and internal pressures of singlehood. Before we delve into their story, I must share with you a doctrine referred to as "The providence of God." The providence of God is the continuing action of God in preserving His creation and guiding it toward His intended purposes (Millard Erickson, Christian Theology). In the story of Naomi and Ruth two widowed single women, one sees the providence of God at work in their lives. Just as God worked providentially in the lives of these two single women, you can likewise trust Him too. Therefore, what principles can we extract from God’s providential hand at work in the lives of two single widowed women? I would like to cite six with a brief summation of God’s providential handy work in their story.
1. That a single saint with passionate godly convictions is highly favored by the Lord (Ruth 1:16, 17)
2. That a single saint should resist the notion to succumb to the disappointments and challenges of life that could possibly lead them to bitterness and misguided resentment against the Lord (Ruth 1:19-21)
3. That a single saint should understand that God determines your season of blessing (Ruth 1:22)
4. That a single saint with noble character traits can be a prized possession (Ruth 2:10-12)
5. That a single saint should be cognizant about the quality of life that they lead for your lifestyle establishes your reputation, good or bad (Ruth 2:10-12)
6. That a single saint is rewarded for their faithful obedience to God (Ruth 4:13)
Summary
Elimelech, the husband of Naomi relocates his family to the land of Moab because of an economic downturn (famine) in Bethlehem of Judah (Ruth 1:1, 2). His immediate family consisted of his wife Naomi and two sons―Mahlon and Chilion. His sons married two Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth. Both Elimelech and his two sons would die leaving Be Enlightened, Encouraged and Equipped! Copyright 2013 JW Henderson Ministries
their wives Naomi, Orpah and Ruth in a desperate situation. Nevertheless, God’s providential hand is at work for Naomi receives word that Bethlehem is now experiencing economic recovery and the land is prospering again (Ruth 1:6b), for this turn in fortune is no coincidence―God is working. There are times even as believers that we find ourselves in desperate situations and with our backs against the wall but do not panic for God is working! Naomi attempts to discourage her daughter-in-laws to return to their people and is successful in turning Orpah but not Ruth (Ruth 1:8-15). However, Ruth’s conviction is most commendable for she is committed to leaving her homeland, people and gods to accompany and care for Naomi her mother-in-law. Moreover, her conviction to accept the God of Israel, Jehovah, as her Savior is praiseworthy and will end in God greatly blessing her (Ruth 1:16, 17; Principle 1).
Naomi and Ruth arrive at Bethlehem and the city breaks out into an uproar because of them. The women of the city exclaim, "Is this Naomi?" (Ruth 1:19). This statement is significant for Naomi means sweetness or pleasantness. Notice how Naomi responds, "Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara . . . ." The word "Mara" means bitterness (cf. Exodus 15:23, 24). If you have not found a compatible Christian mate, do not allow desperation, anxiety, resentment, frustration or bitterness (Principle 2) to take root in your heart for remember, God is yet working. In fact, Naomi and Ruth arrive in Bethlehem ". . . At the beginning of barely harvest," which is an important point to note (Ruth 1:22).
Ruth 1:22 is the pivotal point of the book (Principle 3). Again, their arrival at this time is no coincidence, for God is working! Ruth is anxious to go to work in the fields to put food on the table (Ruth 2:2). Watch this—of all the fields in Bethlehem she could have chosen to glean in, she selects Boaz’s field who is their "Kinsman Redeemer." I will explain what a "Kinsman Redeemer" is in a minute. Ruth gains permission to glean in the field of Boaz and works diligently. Boaz arrives and notices her in the field and inquires of his foreman―using a present day colloquial expression, "Who thaaat!" His foreman gives him the scoop (Ruth 2:5-7, 10-12; Principles 4, 5). Now regarding the meaning of a "Kinsman Redeemer," Boaz was a close relative, but more than that, he was a kinsman-redeemer. He could act as a redeemer of property and persons. He could act as a levir, a Latin term for brother-in-law. Boaz could redeem by fulfilling the levirate law, which required a brother of a deceased man to marry his widow and raise up a son to his name (Deut. 25:5-10). Though Boaz was not a brother to Mahlon, Ruth’s deceased husband (Ruth 4:10), he was a close relative to the family and could act as a levir if he so desired. Naomi sensed the willingness of Boaz to fulfill this custom and provided guidance for Ruth to seal the deal (Ruth 3:1-5). As a side note, no impropriety is suggested in this custom.
Finally, through God’s divine providence, Naomi and Ruth are redeemed through Ruth’s marriage to Boaz (Ruth 4:9-13; Principle 6). God provided for these two single women and God is just as concerned about the singles today who desire a husband or a wife. Do not allow frustration or disappointment to make you become discouraged, for remember ―God is yet working!
Reflection
1. Have you given up on waiting on God for a mate, If so, why?
2. In what ways can you draw strength from Naomi and Ruth’s story?
3. What do you admire most about Ruth’s outlook on life?
4. What can you take away from Boaz’s life as a single man?
5. How was Boaz prepared to take on the role of a Husband and fatherhood?
Go Deeper
Additional Reading:
1. Haman Cross Jr., A Manual for Christian Dating and Courtship
2. Clark N. Warren, Finding the Love of Your Lif
