Naomi, Ruth and Boaz (Part B)

Yeah, those are beautiful verses on magnets and coffee mugs and into scripture.

But when it comes time to really face the dragon, when he's so close you can smell his breath, it's another story. And yet the righteous have implemented it over the centuries and have prevailed. Waiting for God needs strength, not weakness. And when we're just too weak, oftentimes God just takes alternatives out.

There's just nothing you can do. This is Cross-Reference Radio with our pastor and teacher Rick Gaston. Rick is the pastor of Calvary Chapel Mechanicsville. Pastor Rick is currently teaching through the Book of Ruth.

Please stay with us after today's message to hear more information about Cross-Reference Radio, specifically how you can get a free copy of this teaching. Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz is the title of Pastor Rick's message. Today, he'll be teaching in Ruth Chapter 3. Now Naomi, again, knowing that Boaz probably did not dream that Ruth would be interested in him. And he's going to be surprised to find out that she is there and this is going to just make the story more romantic. So reading again verse 7, and after Boaz had eaten and drunk and his heart was cheerful, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain and she came softly and uncovered his feet.

He went to lie down and there she is. I will point this out. The Bible has no problem exposing sin or things that have an appearance of evil. There's nothing in this that is sinful or has an appearance of evil. I think I touched on that briefly a moment ago. And I point that out because, again, some of the study Bibles that you have or maybe even commentators may suggest that.

And again, they have nothing to base that off of. They try to say, well, the Hebrew word could mean this too and that's not, I part with them there. You may say, boy, you part with a lot of people.

It's like I don't play well with others. Verse 8, I do in another room, but verse 8, now it happened at midnight that the man was startled and turned himself and there a woman was lying at his feet. So now it's late.

There's our time stamp. And he's startled because his feet got cold. And again, the Hebrew gives space for this and he turned himself. He had to cover his feet back up. But there's a woman lying there. It would have been inappropriate if she were lying next to him. There's nothing wrong with she lying at his feet where she uncovered where he's going to go when he rises up to put the covers back on his feet. Fortunately for her, he wasn't a kicker. So again, that Hebrew word for startled indicates that he was in a pretty good sleep when he comes out of it.

And what are the odds? He wakes up and there's a person there, verse 9, and he said, who are you? So she answered, I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative.

Who are you? At low visibility, it's midnight. Plus she doesn't look the way she looks all the time. And a combination of things would make that a valid question. She answered, I am Ruth, your maidservant. Moonlight enough for him to verify that instantly and appreciate her preparation.

And his heart, I'm sure, must have been beating a little bit faster. One of those moments where I never dream, you know, I did not dream you would be here, and there you are, and he's happy about this. And then she makes this request, which refers, when she says, take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative. She uses the language that Boaz used to her. In chapter 2, verse 12, if you have your Bibles open, the Lord, repay your work, he said to her, and a full reward be given you by the Yahweh, God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge. Well, she's asking for refuge. She is saying, will you be the redeemer?

You're the near kinsman. This is a legal request that she is making. And again, I don't think there's anything cultural about her uncovering his feet. I think it's just good sense. And verse 10 now, then he said, blessed are you of Yahweh my daughter, for you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich. See, he's been thinking about these things. And he, you know, blessed are you of Yahweh my daughter. In this flash of realization that sweeps across his heart and his mind, out comes this burst of joy in the Lord. I mean, it just shows you, what's the first thing on his mind when he's elated by this? It's Yahweh, because he has been restraining himself. Now he's letting some of his love burst forward.

The odds were stacked against him. He's an older man, probably old enough to be our father. And of course that's what his reference is to the, you didn't go after the younger men, for you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning. Some people have a problem with, you know, an older man marrying a younger.

It's nobody's business if they're adults. Anyway, for you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning. I think he was saying, you could have, you know, pursued other opportunities. There were ways around, you know, you started out just so well with taking care of Naomi, and yet you have come to me.

You've kept it in the family, as the scripture certainly wants us to do. That's what he could have said. And again, where he says, in that you did not go after the young men, whether poor or rich. He is saying, I didn't think I had a chance. I think that's his way of saying that. Boaz may have been a widow himself.

Maybe, and if that is the case, that would account for much of his extraordinary care for Naomi and Ruth. Verse 11, and now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request. For all the people of my town, know that you are a virtuous woman. That's right, and he's going to protect that. People know she is a virtuous woman. He accepts, is what he is saying. You want me to legally step in and marry you.

I accept it. And there's more, of course, when we get to that, but he says, for all the people of my town, know that you are a virtuous woman. Well, what Samson was to strength, she was to virtue. Perhaps, perhaps Proverbs 31, 10, who can find a virtuous wife, for her worth is far above Ruby's. Perhaps the writer of that proverb had Ruth in mind, because here it is, a virtuous woman. Well, who can find her?

Boaz can find her, and he just did. So we'll just pause here for a minute with some support verses. Proverbs 22, verse 1, a good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold.

Well, Ruth had that, but she still could use a little bit more income. It's, okay, I've got the virtue, but I'm starving to death. Well, that doesn't work well. But then we have to move it into the New Testament light, Titus chapter 2, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you. Now, that won't stop them from lying. That's what a slanderer and a devil does. You can be blameless, but they'll make something up or they'll slant it in some way. But overall, the decent people will not be attacking you. So you consider the source. You have a saying, coming from you, you know, when someone is hurling insults at you that aren't justified, you know, you say, well, coming from you, it really doesn't matter, but coming from somebody of a higher caliber, it would be a burden. John, his third letter in the 12th verse, John says of Demetrius, Demetrius has a good testimony from all and from the truth itself, and we also bear witness. So what I'm just pointing out is that a virtuous wife, a virtuous life, whether it is a man or a woman is something that registers with God, registers with the Holy Spirit. What is the alternative?

And many do go toward the alternative and the fight is on. Verse 12, now it is true that I am a close relative. However, there is a relative closer than I, fly in the ointment. Naomi, she apparently missed this, which would not strike against her. I mean, she doesn't walk around with, you know, the family tree in her hand.

But she's missed this, it seems. There was someone else that could have been a kind and noble man just like Boaz and by law he stood in first position. He gets the first right to you, Ruth.

That's what he is saying. He's a closer relative. Now these widows, they could marry first only into the family. They couldn't go outside if they were in close proximity to the kinsmen. I'm going to cover that in a moment, this liver right law that they were subject to. But the closer relative would have first rights of redemption and this would be a brother, an uncle, or a cousin. And it is clearly stated in Leviticus 25 verses 48 and 49 if you want to verify that or look it up. We don't know the exact relationship of Boaz or the other kinsmen to Elimelech.

It's left out of the story. And it first shows up in Genesis, in Genesis 36 verses 6 through 10. And there Judah's two wicked sons, Ur and Onan, took advantage of a woman and God dealt with them. And so this law is given to protect the widows because they were often neglected, victimized, and abused in that part of the world and probably other parts too. Deuteronomy 25 5, if brothers dwell together and one of them dies and has no son, the widow of the dead man shall not be married to a stranger outside the family. Her husband's brother shall go to her, take her as his wife, and perform the duty of the husband's brother to her. And so the requirements were the brothers needed to be in close proximity to each other.

I mean if he was just a thousand miles away, you just can't make it happen. The widow was to be without a son. And so far those two requirements have been fulfilled. The other was the brother had to want to do it. And that's the one that Boaz is hoping will disqualify the one in first position. What I like also about Boaz here is that he does not withhold from Ruth the deal-breaking possibility at the very beginning. From the beginning he is forthright with her. He says we got to face facts. If it were just a matter of me just becoming the redeemer and taking you the goel, then I would, but I cannot. Brother is in position and he has the power to make our hopes vanish.

Because now it's clear, they want to be with each other. The lessons of the Bible, they're for every age and every culture, but they're not for every religion except in its call for them to repent and convert. Verse 13, he continues to tell her, stay this night and in the morning it shall be that if he will perform the duty of a close relative for you, good. Let him do so. But if he does not want to perform the duty for you, then I will perform the duty for you as Yahweh lives.

Lie down until morning. So there he says, he's facing the facts. He may say yes, the other guy may say yes, and then that's good.

We've obeyed the law and that's God's will and there's nothing we can do about that. But maybe not. And he's not sending her home in the middle of the night where it's dangerous and dark. He's just saying just lie down in the morning, you can go. How do you sleep with all this going on? Both of them. Well, he's probably exhausted. Well, both of them. I don't know.

Again, I like the human parts of the story because this was real and they lived just like we lived, facing pleasant and unpleasant things alike. Well, he says, but if he does not want to perform this duty, then I will perform it. That is a binding oath. And when he again says lie down until morning, again, the question I ask is why bother? Just stay up telling stories for the rest of the night because who's going to sleep? They probably did fall into sleep.

Anyway, verse 14. So she lay at his feet until morning and she arose before one could recognize another. And then he said, do not let it be known that the woman came to the threshing floor. So she laid at his feet until morning. Interesting, it doesn't say she slept. How could she? I don't know.

We don't know. But she arose before the sun came up. It was still dark.

This is without alarm clocks, the internal clock. He is concerned for her reputation. Then he said, do not let it be known that the woman came to the threshing floor. He's speaking to others, to his servants.

No question about that. He's not speaking to Ruth, although she's not departed yet. At least the narrator will, is not finished with her before she leaves. He's going to load her up with grain.

Verse 15. Well, back to this again. Do not let it be known that the woman came to the threshing floor. He, again, it's like this is nobody's business. And his workers that they apparently honor this because the story doesn't burst forth later on. You remember when Christ told someone he had healed, don't go telling anybody. And he told everybody and the historians may put that in the story. And I think if these men went out and gossiped, they would have, it would have been in the story. The interesting thing is that reflects on how they had this wonderful relationship with Boaz. He said, don't do it.

They said, okay. That came out in the early part of chapter two when he would come to the field and he would say, the Lord be with you and the Lord bless you. The Lord be with you. They would respond and I just really like this.

I want to be a man like Boaz and I want his name. But who would not want to be a man like this among men? And who would not want to be like, have the virtues of Ruth and Naomi among the women? Verse 15. Also, he said, bring the shawl that is on you and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six ephos of barley and laid it on her. And then she went into the city. He sent her away with a blessing. He doesn't want her to go hungry.

And this is what I meant. She's still in the story before she goes. He makes sure she gets this blessing. Where he says, bring the shawl that is on you and hold it out. Doesn't he know this is her best dress? Doesn't he mess it up with grain? Don't you have a bucket?

Plastic or paper? All right. Well, when I used to be asked that question, I said, whatever irks the liberals, that's what I want.

So I would and they don't ask me anymore. Anyway, he gave provisions. This is another New Testament moment. James chapter 2. If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food and one of you says to them, depart in peace, be warmed and filled, but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? What's the use of saying, God bless you and the guy is starving to death. Well, here in verse 15, of course, it's tied to verse 16, which we're reading now. When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, is that you, my daughter?

Then she told her all that the man had done for her. Perhaps it's still dark inside the house. The sun is not high enough for the shadows to go away. Or maybe Naomi is picked up. She can see, maybe this light is there. She can see Ruth and Ruth is glowing. She's excited. And Ruth is like, is that you?

Who is this? It can go either way with that. Commentators can add 50 other reasons to it. Now, I know I talk about them. I would not have any understanding of the scripture like I have now were it not for commentators. I'm not bad-mouthing them across the board. Very great men, very great work. But remember, you always have the right to disagree with them. Not me, them.

Joking. Well in verse 17, and she said, these six ephods of barley he gave me, for he said to me, do not go empty-handed to your mother-in-law. Now, I referenced this early, that he's got Naomi in mind, not just Ruth. It would have been nice if the historian put it up a few verses, but there it is. And that's the kind of man Boaz was.

I think he just had a liking for the underdog, for Naomi, and even if he didn't, he was going to look out for them in any way he could. The six ephods, well, really, the exact measurement is not known. It's six.

And we're not sure what the exact measurement is, except we know it was enough for her to carry. And this is a little bit more than what she got in chapter 2 in verse 17. Now verse 18, then she said, sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out. For the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day. Well, this sit still in life is, ugh, waiting. Takes strength to wait the right way.

Very easy to mess up the rest of your life by not waiting. The whole Hagar thing with Abraham messed up everything. For Ishmael and for Hagar, I mean, it was a critical experience because Abraham and Sarah, in that case mainly Sarah, couldn't wait for God to do what he promised to do. Moses, when the people were trying to get away from the pursuing Pharaoh and his chariots, Moses said, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. Right before that, God says, why are you calling out to me?

Lift up your hands. And that's when Moses was just strengthened. Psalm 46, 10, of course, be still, know that I'm God. Yeah, those are beautiful verses on magnets and coffee mugs and into Scripture.

But when it comes time to really face the dragon, when he's so close you can smell his breath, it's another story. And yet the righteous have implemented it over the centuries and have prevailed. Waiting for God needs strength, not weakness. And when we're just too weak, oftentimes God just takes alternatives out. There's just nothing you can do. I often think about in a New York subway at rush hour, there's nowhere to stand. I mean, you can only stand, but there's nowhere to fall.

I'm serious. You can't just quit. You can't even just drop straight down. You're so pressed in.

It's the most cruel and unusual punishment for people trying to get to work or get home. You are literally thrust against the walls if you are in an empty car that is going to be instantly filled. So I point that out because I reflect in times in life where just there's nowhere to go. You can't quit. You can't keep going. You're just stuck in this subway car.

You can't even, if you collapsed, you would still be standing up. And life is like that sometimes. So be ready. God has not forgotten you. There is power in the ability to do nothing. Just try not to interfere with what God is doing.

When it's out of your hands, it's out of your hands. And that's how it was with Ruth. There's nothing more she could do. And Naomi said, sit still my daughter. Don't worry about this.

God has got this. Again, Naomi just flashes into the story. What would Ruth be doing?

For her to say this, she perhaps saw something in her eyes of doubt, a little fear. What if the other guy wants me? I don't even know who he is. And as Golda in Fiddler on the Roof said, a husband is not to love.

A husband is to get. That other stuff doesn't matter. Well, Ruth probably is like, well, I don't agree with her. I would like to love him. And she says, for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day. See, Naomi now, it's official. It's been confirmed. Her early suggestions about, boy, you know, he's been really nice to you.

Well, more grain, huh? And Naomi knows, and now it's confirmed. He's in love with you.

He has fallen deeply in love with you. And he is not going to rest until he has settled this issue. It's now in God's hands.

But all of the human pieces are in place. There's nothing more we can do. We've done it right. How refreshing it is to be able to say we did it the right way. We just trusted God. If we started off wrong, we buckled it down. We stopped going in the wrong direction.

We fixed that. And we just waited for God. God is a God who looks for solutions.

He's not preoccupied with condemning us. Yeah, if you do wrong, he's not going to say, good boy. You know, you've got to deal with that. You've got to face those facts.

But once the facts are faced, God is now ready to start the processes to bring about a solution. That does not mean it's going to necessarily be painless. And it could be painless because of your own neglect. You made the mistake. You knew better.

You did it anyway. Or there are things in this life that we just can't understand. The arrow is beyond us. And it falls to us to accept it and to try to make it work in the midst of it. I mean, there are just countless things in life. You say, God, why? Why do Christians have children born to them that have problems in all levels? I mean, some, you know, birth, from birth, some as they acquired.

I mean, just all sorts of things. And that's what faith is all about. Otherwise, who would need faith?

Why would we even talk about it? Well, the man will not rest until he has concluded this matter this day. And that's the same with Jesus Christ. That's what happened when they challenged him about the Sabbath. And he said, my father works, and I work until now, too.

There's no Sabbath in the place of human suffering. That's what Jesus was and how he answered him. He must conclude the matter.

And she is sure that Boaz will do whatever he can for her. And the waiting game begins. Thanks for tuning in to Cross Reference Radio for this study in the Book of Ruth. Cross Reference is the teaching ministry of Pastor Rick Gaston of Calvary Chapel Mechanicsville in Virginia. To learn more about this ministry, visit our website, crossreferenceradio.com. There you'll find additional teachings from Pastor Rick. And we encourage you to subscribe to our podcast. When you subscribe, you'll be notified of each new edition of Cross Reference Radio. You can search for Cross Reference Radio on your favorite podcast app or just follow the links at crossreferenceradio.com. That's all the time we have for today, but we hope you'll join us next time as we continue to learn more from the Book of Ruth right here on Cross Reference Radio.