HANDFULS OF PURPOSE
RUTH 2:6-17
Intro:
In our last study we were
introduced to Boaz who is a type of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ruth who we have learned is a type of the Church and represents the child
of god of today:
A.
As we closed our last study
we were looking at the unnamed servant (Vs. 5)
1.
This unnamed servant is a
type of the Holy Spirit
2.
The Holy Spirit does not
exalt Himself but exalts the name which is above every name that of the Lord
Jesus Christ
3.
There are 3 characters in
the Old Testament whose servants were unnamed
a.
Abraham sent his servant to
seek a bride for Isaac
i.
We see in this the Holy
Spirit coming to a world of sin to call out a bride for the Heavenly Issac
b.
Boaz unnamed servant had
charge over the reapers as the Holy Spirit bestows His gifts upon those who
follow the God of Israel
c.
Joseph in Gen. 43 gave
instruction to the “ruler of His house” to make his brethren ready to dine with
Him reminding us the Holy Spirit is preparing us for the Marriage Supper of the
Lamb (Rev. 19)
B.
In our last study we noted
that Boaz loved Ruth from the moment he first laid eyes on her
1.
Reminding us of Rom. 5:8,
“That while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”
2.
One only has to read the
last part of Romans 8 and see from God’s point of view the deep and lasting love
a.
This should give the child
of God a deep sense of security as we face the ups
and down’s of life
I.
A good report (Vs.6-7)
A.
Ruth was a Moabities, but
more importantly she was the Moabities who returned with Naomi
1.
Ruth was known for her
leaving heathen god’s to come and follow the God of Israel
2.
In I Thess 1:9 the true
believers “turn to God from idols to serve the living and true God”
a.
One turns to God and then
from idols
b.
At this point we have the
Holy Spirit to empower the total change in behavior
B.
The servant now informs Boaz
of Ruth’s industry (Vs. 7)
1.
Ruth came and asked in a
proper manner and was allowed to glean in the fields of Boaz
2.
The servant then commends
Ruth for her diligence to Boaz
a.
Ruth wasn’t lazy, but
labored diligently for her mother-in-law
b.
We are reminded that we
shall be commended or made to sorrow for our faithfulness to God by the Holy
Spirit at the judgment seat of Christ (I Cor.
II.
Communication between Boaz
and Ruth (Vs. 8-14)
A.
Boaz speaks with love and
affection (Vs. 8-14)
1.
Boaz expresses his wish that
Ruth remain in his fields exclusively
a.
Boaz provides her a place of
service
b.
The Lord of the harvest has
a place of service for every believer
2.
Boaz promises protection
(Vs. 9)
a.
This promise applied to Ruth
only if she remained in the fields of Boaz
i.
Apparently during this
period of Jewish history it was considered unsafe for a young woman to be in the
fields alone
b.
Believers who glean in God’s
fields are safe (II Tim. 1:7)
c.
Ruth could obtain all her
needs in the fields of Boaz. Phil. 4:19)
i.
Christians find all their
needs met in Christ and are to be separated from the fields of the world unto
God (II Cor.
B.
Ruth’s humility (Vs. 10)
1.
Ruth could not understand
why she had been shown such favor
2.
The Psalmist marveled that,
“God loved man enough to be mindful of him” (Ps. 8:4)
a.
This is the attitude of the
true child of God
b.
The more we understand His
love the greater we marvel at such love
C.
Faithfulness goes before the
faithful (Vs. 11,12)
1.
Ruth’s faithfulness under
trial had been reported to Boaz
a.
To stand true under stress
brings respect
b.
People respect those who
live what they say they believe
2.
The reason for her stand was
her faith in the God of Israel (Vs. 12)
a.
Boaz very carefully observed
that Ruth has come to trust under the wings of the Lord of Host (Ps. 91:1-4)
b.
The Lord in whom Ruth had
placed her trust, had brought her to a place of acceptance with Boaz
D.
Ruth in a place of blessing
(Vs. 13,14)
1.
Ruth is far from thinking
herself worthy (Vs.13)
a.
Ruth responds with words of
accepting and returning Boaz’s words of kindness revealing a grateful heart
b.
Some people are afraid to
show kindness and be grateful for the kindness of others
2.
Boaz’s love was expressed
not only in word but in deed (Vs. 14)
a.
Words are so often spoken
which have little or no meaning
b.
Boaz with his own hand gives
corn to Ruth
i.
Boaz was willing to
associate himself with Ruth, there was no holier than thou attitude
c.
Ruth had enough and some
left over
i.
This is a great lesson for
us that grace always provides an “abundance”
ii.
In Christ there is full
satisfaction
III.
Handfuls of purpose (Vs.
15-17)
A.
Boaz instruction to his men
(Vs. 15-16)
1.
As they go back to work he
orders his men to let her work among the sheaves
a.
Boaz trusted Ruth’s
integrity, to not take advantage of his trust
2.
Boaz goes a step further by
telling his men to leave heads of barley on purpose for Ruth to gather
a.
Just when the going seem to
be so difficult, God still drops handfuls on purpose along our pathway
b.
An answer to prayer, the
opportunity to lead a soul to Christ, the healing of an illness, etc.
c.
Notice Boaz left handfuls,
not a few straws
i.
Here we see Christ providing
all our needs as we trust Him
B.
A bountiful harvest (Vs. 17)
1.
Ruth worked out her full
time and was rewarded
a.
How different would this
story be had Ruth, feeling Boaz’s favor, sat in the shade all afternoon and
cooled her heels
b.
As it was Ruth headed home
with a bushel of grain for her labors
i.
As a farm boy who worked on
combines and handled grain, I realize that she was quite a girl
2.
From prophetic view the
harvest is almost over and we are gleaning the last part of the harvest
a.
With the increase of
violence, drugs, world unrest and nature going out of control, the end of
harvest is fast approaching
b.
Nightfall is fast
approaching and the threshing which separates the chaff from the wheat will soon
take place
C.
Our reward will be like
Ruth’s to be at the feet of Jesus during the Tribulation