Sermon for HCBC (14 June 2020). To listen use the audio player below or click here. Also available on your favorite podcast app (“Hunting Creek Baptist Church”).
Introduction
One of the most common mistakes in reading the Bible is forgetting that it is a book about God. When we do this, we invariably turn it into a book of moral principles and examples. Be kind. Be like David.
Interestingly, one study found that preaching on both the theological left and the theological right makes this mistake. The study examined sermons about the Prodigal Son. On the theological left, the moral instruction was “Don’t be like the older brother.” On the theological right, the moral instruction was, “Don’t be like the prodigal son.” Neither pointed out the central thrust of the passage: the steadfast love of the father.
In Ruth 2, then, we have to see “through” the story to see what it reveals about God. Yes, Boaz is a good example, but we are not ultimately and finally talking about Boaz. The aim of all preaching—and every activity of the gathered church and indeed all of life—should be doxology (praising God). Only when we are doing that can we expect any transformation to happen.
In Ruth 2, we are confronted by the loving kindness of God. We see that loving kindness reflected in Boaz and also in Ruth, but we must look beyond them to see the very heart of God. G. K. Chesterton once said, “God is not a symbol of goodness. Goodness is a symbol of God.” In other words, any good in the world derives directly from God. He is the fountain.So, let’s take a look at Ruth 2 and pay attention to the loving heart of our good God.
Before we jump into the text, we need to realize the situation that Ruth finds herself in. In the Ancient Near East, a woman without a father or a husband is completely vulnerable. Ruth is also a foreigner—a point that the text emphasizes several times. Her survival is by no means guaranteed. That’s why she has to follow those harvesting the wheat because OT law mandated that some should be left behind for the poor.
But in spite of this situation, we see God’s loving kindness on full and glorious display. His kindness is revealed in his providence, his provision, and his protection—forgive the alliteration, but in this case it works.
God’s Providence
Ruth 2 begins with some essential information. Verse 1: “Now Naomi had a relative of her husband’s, a worthy man of the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz.” But that information is not known by Ruth yet. She will learn that later in the chapter. For now, she puts herself at risk because she and Naomi must eat, so she asks Naomi to allow her to go to the fields and gather with the poor. Notice the phrase in v. 2: “him in whose sight I shall find favor.” This phrase occurs three times in the chapter. It is a loaded phrase. It carries the sense of a subordinate finding blessing at the hands of a superior. This is Ruth’s hope, but she has no idea who that will be. She is relying on God’s kindness.
And while Ruth has no idea, God is sovereign. Look at v. 3: “So she set out and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers, and she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the clan of Elimelech.” She happened to end up in Boaz’s field. From her perspective this is sheer chance, but we the readers know better. This is orchestrated out of the loving kindness of God. That’s why this phrase “who was of the clan of Elimelech” is repeated again. It’s a way of emphasizing that God remains faithful to his people. One way God shows his kindness is by orchestrating the details.
Then we meet Boaz. He is a man who depends on the Lord’s providence. Notice how he greets his workers in v. 4: “The LORD be with you!” Boaz acknowledges that even in the fields God is sovereign. His words indicate a dependence on the LORD’s providence and provision.
God’s Provision
The workers understand this as well when they respond, “The LORD bless you.” Put another way, “May the LORD lavish his abundance on you.”
When Boaz sees Ruth, he shows kindness to her. Verse 8: “Then Boaz said to Ruth, ‘Now, listen, my daughter, do not go glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women.” He tells her to stay in his field, but he also tells her to gather with his women. This is an improvement. These women workers went after the reapers. Boaz is giving Ruth an opportunity to gather more.
In v. 9, he instructs his workers not to touch her. The word touch has a range meaning anything from verbal abuse to physical abuse. Ruth has no father or husband and she’s a foreigner, so she’s susceptible to all these. Boaz also offers her fresh water when she is thirsty.
Look at Ruth’s response to Boaz’s kindness in v. 10: “Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him, ‘Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner.” Here we have the repeated phrase “found favor in your eyes.”
Boaz acknowledges that Ruth’s reputation has preceded her, and more importantly he acknowledges that she is not a foreigner, but she is part of the covenant people of God. Verse 12: “The LORD repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” That last phrase requires more comment, but for now continue to notice the lavish kindness of Boaz and how it highlights God’s provision.
Boaz invites her to dine at his table in v. 14. Pay attention to the phrase toward the end of the verse, “She was satisfied.” God’s provision is always satisfying. Then Boaz ensures that Ruth can gather more of the harvest in vv. 15–16. When she’s done, she has about an ephah of barley, which is something like 30 pounds. Some scholars estimate that that’s the equivalent of two weeks’ wages. And she gave some to her mother-in-law in v. 18, and she, too, was satisfied.
When Chelsey and I moved to North Carolina for seminary, we had never even visited the campus. We did not have any jobs. We applied for housing among all the different options and the seminary placed us. When we moved into the area we were placed, I noticed the truck of a friend from high school. We hadn’t talked in over five years. I had no idea he was at the seminary. The reason I knew it was his truck was that he had his cellphone number and name printed on the back window for his business. I sent him a text to reconnect. In the meantime, Chelsey began a tedious job search for a high school teaching position. She had no luck. When we heard from my friend, we learned that his wife was a high school math teacher. A few days later, she knocked on our door to tell us that there was an English position open at her school and she had spoken to her principal. Within a week, Chelsey had a job. Do you see God’s providence and provision? He orchestrated the circumstances, and he provided everything we needed and more.
God’s Protection
And God does not stop there. He offers protection to his people. In Boaz’s blessing, he mentioned the wings under which Ruth had taken refuge. Wings are a common metaphor in the OT for God’s protection. He shelters his people under his wings. This is significant in the book of Ruth because as we will see next week, Ruth will ask Boaz to shelter her under his wing. Boaz’s protection is an expression of God’s protection.
We also see it in v. 22: “And Naomi said to Ruth, her daughter-in-law, ‘It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his young women, lest in another field you be assaulted.’” Ruth is vulnerable, but Boaz has given her protection. And Boaz’s protection reveals God’s kindness to Ruth.
Verse 19 brings all of the points of God’s kindness together. When Naomi learns that Boaz is the man who owns the field, this is the turning point. Look at v. 19: “And her mother-in-law said to her, ‘Where did you glean today? And where have you worked? Blessed be the man who took notice of you.’ So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked and said, ‘The man’s name with whom I worked today is Boaz.’”
Now v. 20: “And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, ‘May he be blessed by the LORD, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!’” Stop there just for a moment. Interpreters are divided on whose kindness is referenced here. Is it Boaz’s or the LORD’s? What is apparent, however, is that the LORD has continued to be faithful to the dead—that is, Elimelech—and the living—that is, Ruth and Naomi. His kindness is expressed through Boaz. Boaz’s kindness demonstrated the provision and protection of the LORD.
And God’s providence is also on full display. Look at the rest of v. 20: “Naomi also said to her, ‘The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers.’” Ruth did not know this information. The reference to the redeemer is a reference to a provision in the OT law. When family members found themselves in vulnerable situations other family members were permitted and obligated to offer redemption. The meaning here is that Boaz is eligible for that role, specifically, he is eligible to redeem or buyback the deceased Elimelech’s property and his widow. In God’s good providence, he has led Ruth to Boaz. See how God’s kindness has been revealed in his providence, his provision, and his protection.
Conclusion
Let me conclude by addressing an obvious objection. What about when things don’t turn around? After all, we would have a very different story if Ruth hadn’t met Boaz. And, let’s be honest, it doesn’t always work this way does it? How can we still talk about God’s kindness? What do we say about God when he does not show himself in tangible and practical ways?
We can still say God’s kindness is on full display because ultimately, he provides us with himself. Several passages make this clear. Let me show you one. Revelation 21:3–4:
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
We tend to focus on the tangible benefits of no more sorrow but that’s not the primary point. God’s dwelling place is now with man. It is the presence of God that changes everything. Tears and pains being cleared away happens because God dwells with his people. More often than not, I’m convinced that we will see God’s providence, provision, and protection in tangible and practical ways, but even if it turns out that we don’t, he always gives us himself, which is better than anything this life has to offer.
Slaves in the South used to sing a hymn in spite of their atrocious circumstances.
Sometimes I feel discouraged
and think my work’s in vain,
but then the Holy Spirit
revives my soul again.
There is a balm in Gilead
to make the wounded whole,
there is a balm in Gilead
to heal the sin-sick soul.
Gilead was an OT place that was known for its healing ointment. In Jeremiah, the LORD tells Israel not to seek ointment from Gilead, instead he will provide it. In Christ, we have the balm that heals all wounds. In Christ, we have redemption. We have forgiveness. We have provision and every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms. In Christ, we are invited to sit at the table and eat and drink and be satisfied. In Christ, we have the perfect manifestation of God’s providence, provision, and protection. And when all is done, Christ will be our portion forever—a gift that can never be taken away from us.