The Moment of Truth
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Taking Risk
Taking Risk
7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down. 8 And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.
It is impossible for us to fully understand the emotion and anxiety that Ruth must’ve felt at this moment in her life.
She had left the devastation of Moab, in search of a new beginning, in a strange and foreign land.
We can only imagine what she might have thought of in those early days in Bethlehem.
She was likely overwhelmed with the good fortune she had received since making her way to a new place.
They had come with nothing but despair and need and she had found nothing but favor and abundance.
By now Ruth is well aware of the significance of Boaz in her life.
She is well aware of the possibilities associated with him.
She knows that Boaz is a near kinsman and he could potentially redeem her, providing hope and a new life.
She has spent much time in his field, all the while getting more acquainted with him and his ways.
She has made the necessary preparation to meet Boaz and now the moment of truth has come.
Now moment of truth
Take a Risk
It is time to meet Boaz and find out whether her hopes of redemption will be fulfilled.
Illustration - God has lead you, you have prayed, you have sought out counsel ......
Now its time to push ahead
4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. 5 As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all. 6 In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
illustration here .....
I. The Resolve of Ruth
I. The Resolve of Ruth
7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down. 8 And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.
Ruth
– She may have been a widow woman from Moab, a place not well thought of in Bethlehem, but she was a woman of courage and commitment. Ruth’s resolve serves as a challenge for all believers.
Her Submission (7b) –
7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.
ruth 3.7Ruth was well aware of the significance of this meeting. She knew that Boaz presented the opportunity for redemption.
Ruth was well aware of the significance of this meeting. She knew that Boaz presented the opportunity for redemption.
She was committed to doing all she could to ensure that she was received of him. She came softly, uncovering his feet, and laid down.
She has entered his presence, but she hasn’t spoken. She is not there to make demands or force herself upon him. She has come quietly, submitted to Boaz, awaiting his instruction.
This is how all must come before the Lord.
We are in no position to make any demands of God.
We certainly are undeserving of any of His favor. We have no right to demand or expect anything from the Lord. All that we receive is a gift of His good grace. We must come humbly in submission.
Her Supplication (9b)
9 And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.
Ruth
– Ruth makes a significant request: spread thy skirt over thine handmaid. In our society that doesn’t make a lot of sense. We would assume that Ruth had gotten cold in the night, but this was actually a proposal of marriage.
When a man spread his garment over a woman he was declaring his intent to marry her.
This was a bold request, but Ruth was in a desperate situation.
Without someone being willing to marry her and assume the debt that she possessed, she had no hope for the future. Marriage was her only hope to escape the devastation of her past.
I think it is worth mentioning that Ruth was not interested in any man, she genuinely desired Boaz. He had proven his ability and shown compassion.
When you consider the desperation of sin, it is a pretty bold request to seek the Lord in salvation.
Who are we to come before the Son of God and seek His forgiveness and blessing? We are not worthy of His grace and goodness, but that is exactly what the Lord desires. He wants us to come to Him, seeking a relationship with Him.
By the way, there is no need to seek salvation among any other. Jesus is the only way. He is the only one who has the ability to save and the only one with compassion to save!
C. Her Sincerity (14a)
14 And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor.
– And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another.
Ruth was committed to doing whatever was required to ensure her redemption.
She did exactly as Boaz had requested. She lay at his feet all night and rose before the dawn. Many today will admit their need for the Lord. Many know that they are lost and stand in need of salvation, but few are willing to seek the Lord and tarry at His feet in order to receive it.
Some want to come to the Lord on their terms, seeking to set the bounds and aspects of salvation. All must come as Ruth did, with a heart of sincerity and submission.
II. The Response of Boaz
II. The Response of Boaz
8 And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet. 9 And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman. 10 And he said, Blessed be thou of the Lord, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.
Ruth took a great risk in coming to Boaz as she did.
There were no guarantees as to how he would respond. He could have been embarrassed by her actions.
He could have been angered at her, possibly hurting his reputation. He could have even misunderstood her altogether and assumed that she was a woman of the world. Boaz continues to reveal his character in his response to Ruth. Notice:
A. He Recognized Her Presence (8-9a) –
8 And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet. 9 And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.
Boaz did not treat her with contempt or anger. He simply asked her name. He realized that someone had drawn near to him in the night. There is comfort in this simple truth. Our Lord would never be startled by us coming near to Him.
He knows all about us at all times, but He does desire us to draw near to Him. He desires us to come near and fellowship with Him. He wants all to come to Him in repentance.
37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
B. He Recognized Her Persistence (10a) –
B. He Recognized Her Persistence (10a) –
10 And he said, Blessed be thou of the Lord, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.
Boaz was not unaware of the kindness that Ruth had shown to Naomi. He was well aware of her commitment and persistence in seeking to provide for her.
Boaz knew that Ruth was there out of love for Naomi and a desire to help her.
God will honor those who are persistent in their pursuit of Him and His holiness. He will bless those who seek a life that honors Him. He will reward those who show compassion toward others and seek to serve at all costs.
God will honor those who are persistent in their pursuit of Him and His holiness.
He will bless those who seek a life that honors Him. He will reward those who show compassion toward others and seek to serve at all costs.
He Recognized Her Purity (10b) –
thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.
Ruth likely didn’t realize it, but Boaz had been watching her life.
He took notice of her the first day she entered his field and he had been aware of her life since that time.
He knew that she was not a woman who sought only to please the flesh with worldly men. He recognized that Ruth was a woman of purity.
Our society needs to learn the lesson that Ruth lived by.
D. He Recognized Her Position (11-13) –
11 And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman. 12 And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I. 13 Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman’s part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the Lord liveth: lie down until the morning.
Ruth 3.11
Boaz was well aware that Ruth was in a desperate situation. She was a widow from Moab. Finding a kinsman that would be willing to redeem her was her only hope.
There was a kinsman who was closer in relation than Boaz, but if he refused, Boaz promised to fulfill the obligation of her redeemer.
Our blessed Lord was well aware of our position also. He knew that apart from Him we had no hope.
III. The Reward of Ruth (15-18)
III. The Reward of Ruth (15-18)
– These remaining verses reveal the abundance that Ruth received by meeting with Boaz. Consider:
15 Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city. 16 And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her. 17 And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law. 18 Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.
A. The Provision (15) –
15 Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city.
As Ruth left the threshing-floor that day, she did not leave without provision. This was now the soon-to-be wife of Boaz.
He was committed to caring for his bride. She was given six measures of barley. Some estimate that to be around 24 gallons or 88 lbs of barley, a significant amount.
barley, a significant amount. There had been handfuls of purpose before, but this was a promise of redemption and more to come! I have never received anything that compares to the abundance of our Lord. He daily loadeth us with benefits. He continually meets our need. As much as we have received, it cannot compare to that which awaits!
There had been handfuls of purpose before, but this was a promise of redemption and more to come!
B. The Expectation (16) –
16 And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her.
And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her. Naomi had not asked because she did not recognize Ruth. She asked to see if there had been a change in the relationship. \
And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her. Naomi had not asked because she did not recognize Ruth. She asked to see if there had been a change in the relationship. \
Are you still Ruth the widow from Moab or Ruth the bride of Boaz?
Naomi was enquiring whether there was to be a wedding in the near future. We could ask the same question of each other as well. Who are we? Are we a sinner of the world or are we part of the bride of Christ.
C. The Restoration (17)
17 And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.
– And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law. Once again we find what a difference a day can make. Do you remember how Naomi responded to those who gathered around when they returned to Bethlehem? – And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. [21a] I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home again empty:
They were no longer empty and wanting. God had used Boaz to provide all they needed. The devastation of Moab was behind with only joy and fullness ahead.
The world offers nothing but suffering and despair. God doesn’t desire us to dwell in a land of suffering and want. He desires us to dwell in His abundant land of plenty! If you have been trying to survive on the meagerness of this world, God can restore you and offer life abundant.
D. The Confirmation (18) –
18 Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.
Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.
Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.
Naomi offered great words of comfort and hope to Ruth.
She encouraged her to sit still and rest without worry.
Boaz was a mighty man of wealth. He was a man of character.
He would not lay his head down that evening until this matter was resolved.
Ruth you can count on Boaz; he will provide for you. That verse would be easy to read over and miss its great significance.
For me it is one of the most profound in the entire book.
Our Boaz has gone away to make provision for us. We can rest in the assurance of knowing that He will one day come for His bride! There is a lot that is uncertain in this life, but our future with the Lord is certain and it is secure!
You will have to agree that Ruth found more than she ever expected at the feet of Boaz. Her life was about to be changed forever because of her relationship with Boaz.
How would you handle your moment of truth?