THE MARRIAGE ARRANGED
RUTH 3:14-4:8

        I.      Intro: Throughout the Book of Ruth a beautiful love story has been unfolding.  This story has been marked by kindness, consideration and humility.

a.       Boaz has displayed his feelings toward Ruth in a proper manner

1.       His kindness to her has left little doubt of his love

2.       Boaz is a type of Christ who has left little doubt by His actions of His love for us (Eph. 4:32)

b.      Ruth by her actions in our previous study has accepted Boaz’s overtures of love

1.       Her acceptance was marked by preparing herself in Ruth 3:3

a)       Humbling herself at Boaz feet in Ruth 3:9

2.       Ruth now trusts in Boaz to finish the transaction in Ruth 3:11

      II.      Ruth at rest (Vs. 14)

a.       She lay at his feet until morning”

1.       After being accepted by Boaz, Ruth enjoys the sweetness of rest and sleep

a)       She could rest trusting Boaz to guard and keep her safe

2.       What a beautiful picture of Christ and the believer here

a)       We can rest knowing our redemption is sure and complete

1)       Justification, sanctification, and glorification

3.       Prophetically we see the Church resting at the feet of Jesus safe in the night of great tribulation

a)       Note Ruth was in his presence at the time

b)      We believe Christians will be in the presence of our wonderful Lord during the tribulation on earth (I Thess. 5:9, Rev. 3:10)

b.      Ruth leaves early before she can be recognized

1.       Boaz did not want the other kinsman to know

2.       Boaz wanted to handle this case himself

    III.      Ruth goes away full (Vs. 15)

a.       Boaz gives six measures of barley as a token

1.       This was the custom of the day

2.       We would give a diamond, but Boaz gave barley

3.       Ruth came empty handed and goes away full

a)       How like our Lord, for when we come empty of self, He sends us away full, such is the grace of God

b.      Instead of barley as earnest the Christian has been given the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13,14)

1.       Earnest is given as assurance that the deal will be completed

a)       As when we buy property

2.       Boaz by his action guarantees Ruth that he will complete the transaction

a)       Rom. 8:9 makes it clear all true believers have received the earnest of the Holy Spirit

c.       It’s well to note that the 7th measure would be Boaz himself

1.       Seven is the number of perfection and completion in the Word of God

2.       First Christ gave Himself for us and then He will give himself to us (Eph. 2:7)

    IV.      Naomi Questions Ruth (Vs. 16,17)

a.       “Who are thou my daughter?”

1.       We might say, “Are you Mrs. Boaz or not?”

a)       The matchmaker Naomi wanted to know

b.      Ruth reveals all that Boaz had done (Vs. 16,17)

1.       Ruth shows the 6 measures of barley as proof

2.       God does not send us away empty handed and wants us to be confident in His love (John 15:16 – I John 5:13-14)

c.       The man will finish the thing this day”

1.       We too can rest in Christ knowing with assurance He will complete what He started (Phil. 1:16 – 3:21 – Isa. 26:3, Isa. 40:31)

      V.      Boaz speaks at the gate (Vs. 1-5)

a.       Boaz takes his seat at the gate (Vs. 1,2)

1.       In ancient times the gate was the place where important affairs were discussed

2.       Boaz chose to handle the matter of Ruth’s redemption publicly

a)       Christ settled our redemption publicly on the Cross

b)      Paul said in Acts 26:26, “For this thing was not done in a corner”

c)       Christ death is known far and wide

b.      The near kinsman is called

1.       Who this nearer kinsman is we are not told, but I suggest to you he represents the FLESH

a)       We are all kinsman in Adam

c.       Ten witnesses are called (Vs. 2)

1.       This is a governmental number

a)       They would serve as witnesses

b)      Things are to be done decently and in order

d.      Boaz addresses the kinsman and elders of both himself and the other kinsman

1.       Boaz shows the relationship of both himself and the other kinsman

a)       Elimeleck is brought into the picture once more

1)       The man who had lost all and went to another country and died

b)      These two men were of Elimeleck’s relation and had a right to redeem the land

2.       Boaz gives the other kinsman the first chance (Vs. 4)

a)       At first the nearer kinsman shows a willingness to redeem

b)      But three conditions are laid down and it’s a different story

3.       Boaz lays out the conditions (Vs. 5)

a)       First, must buy the field

b)      Then must buy Ruth the Moabities

c)       Must raise up the name of the dead

    VI.      The nearer kinsman admits his lack of ability and removes his shoe (Vs. 6-8)

a.       The nearer kinsman admits his inability and is now ready to step aside

1.       Our fellow brothers in the flesh are nearer in a sense

2.       But no matter how much we would want to redeem those close to us we are unable to redeem ourselves

a)       In Ps. 14:2,3, God shows each of us how spiritually bankrupt we are also Ps. 49:6-8)

b)      Even following salvation the only righteousness we possess is Christ righteousness

c)       Therefore we have need of one greater than ourselves

1)       This person is Jesus Christ who having no sin could be sin for us (II Cor. 5:21)

b.      The kinsman removes his shoe (Vs. 7,8)

1.       In Deut. 25:7-10 we have the law on this dramatic event

a)       When a near kinsman failed to do his job, he was to submit to a very disgraceful treatment

2.       The plucked off shoe was a legal document as to the near kinsman inability to redeem

a)       This was done in the sight of witnesses and was a very solemn matter

b)      From now on he would be dubbed, “Mr. Barefoot”

c)       In fact if she cared to, she could spit in his face

3.       Boaz at the end of this solemn occasion now had every right to redeem Ruth and take her in marriage

a)       Have you accepted Jesus offer of love and allowed Him to redeem you from the hand of the enemy? (John 3:16)