Ruth #5: Someone Worth Pursuing
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10 And he said, “May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich.
11 And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman.
12 And now it is true that I am a redeemer. Yet there is a redeemer nearer than I.
13 Remain tonight, and in the morning, if he will redeem you, good; let him do it. But if he is not willing to redeem you, then, as the Lord lives, I will redeem you. Lie down until the morning.”
14 So she lay at his feet until the morning, but arose before one could recognize another. And he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.”
15 And he said, “Bring the garment you are wearing and hold it out.” So she held it, and he measured out six measures of barley and put it on her. Then she went into the city.
16 And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “How did you fare, my daughter?” Then she told her all that the man had done for her,
17 saying, “These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said to me, ‘You must not go back empty-handed to your mother-in-law.’ ”
18 She replied, “Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest but will settle the matter today.”
The book of Ruth present both Ruth and Boaz as people worthy of pursuit.
Someone Read:
1 Now Naomi had a relative of her husband’s, a worthy man of the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz.
Someone Read:
11 And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman.
So, the writer of Ruth makes it abundantly clear that both Ruth and Boaz are top tier. Top shelf. Cream of the crop.
But, what is it that makes them this?
Anyone remember from chapter 1 some of the things that Ruth did that showed us she had character?
Remained with Naomi regardless of mistreatment.
Honored her vows to her husband’s family, even after his death.
Disavowed the pagan gods of Moab to follow the true God of Israel.
Worked hard to provide for her and her mother-in-law.
Obeyed her mother-in-law’s advice on how to pursue Boaz.
Anyone remember from chapter 2 some of the things that Boaz did that showed us he had character?
Protected Ruth.
Provided for Ruth.
Provided more to Ruth to bless Naomi.
Threatened young men who might abuse Ruth.
Boaz Models For Us...
Humility
Integrity
Discretion
Generosity
Here are a few more things we see that Boaz models for us:
#1, Boaz models…
#1: Humility
#1: Humility
10 And he said, “May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich.
Boaz understands that Ruth’s pursuit of him is something he may not deserve. And that it is something that is abnormal.
What if he said...
“Girl, you just made the best decision of your life!”
“You sure do have good taste in men!”
What would have been your response if someone said that to you?
Boaz shows that Ruth has honored him and humbled him by her interest in him.
Boaz models humility...
Second, Boaz models...
#2: Integrity
#2: Integrity
12 And now it is true that I am a redeemer. Yet there is a redeemer nearer than I.
13 Remain tonight, and in the morning, if he will redeem you, good; let him do it. But if he is not willing to redeem you, then, as the Lord lives, I will redeem you. Lie down until the morning.”
First way Boaz shows integrity is in something that he did not do...
Boaz did not take advantage of Ruth...
Boaz could have taken advantage of Ruth by...
Sleeping with her
Not telling her the truth
The second way he showed integrity is seen in what he did do.
Boaz determined to do the right thing regardless of what it might cost him...
By being honest with Ruth and being determined to follow God’s law in the matter... Boaz was putting his chance of having an awesome wife on the line!
Boaz is determining to seek Ruth’s welfare above his own!
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Boaz models integrity
Third, Boaz models...
#3: Discretion
#3: Discretion
Discretion
Knowing how to act in a particular situation
Ruth 3:13b (ESV)
Boaz says, ...Lie down until the morning.”
Ruth 3:14a (ESV)
14 So she lay at his feet until the morning, but arose before one could recognize another.
Boaz didn’t allow Ruth to leave that night when she woke him up because if she had been seen out so late at night coming from his threshing floor then someone would have likely assumed the worst about the situation and Ruth’s reputation would have been ruined.
This type of discretion is applauded throughout the book of proverbs. It’s something that comes from wisdom.
21 My son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion,
12 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.
The absence of discretion is frowned upon...
22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman without discretion.
Boaz shows he has discretion. He shows his wisdom.
Ruth 3:14b (ESV)
...And he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.”
In the morning, he told his servants not to tell others because of the same reality.
Boaz desired to put Ruth’s welfare above his own and knew exactly what was necessary to ensure that she would be protected.
The ESV Study Bible Chapter 3
Boaz is concerned for propriety and for his and Ruth’s good reputation.
Propriety: Acceptable behavior and cultural norms.
I know of a lot of men, who when put in this situation, would likely have made it so that other people would have known Ruth was there, just so they could brag or make something appear a way it wasn’t.
Worthy men don’t need to make up stuff about women to make others like them. They don’t need to get the approval of others by their own sinful standards.
Worthy men know how to act righteously in any given situation!
If you want the wisdom to practice discretion like this, I recommend reading the book of Proverbs.
1 The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:
2 To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight,
3 to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;
4 to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth—
Boaz modeled discretion.
Fourth, Boaz modeled...
#4: Generosity
#4: Generosity
15 And he said, “Bring the garment you are wearing and hold it out.” So she held it, and he measured out six measures of barley and put it on her. Then she went into the city.
16 And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “How did you fare, my daughter?” Then she told her all that the man had done for her,
17 saying, “These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said to me, ‘You must not go back empty-handed to your mother-in-law.’ ”
Six Measures:
nearly three times what she gleaned her first day
Boaz’s generosity to Ruth was something that cost him a lot.
Be Committed Chapter Three: The Midnight Meeting (Ruth 3)
Boaz not only calmed Ruth’s fears and gave her assurance for the future, but he also met her present needs in a gracious and generous way
Did Ruth ask for this?
Boaz gives generously out of love to Ruth and Naomi before they can even ask him to.
Who else does this?
19 We love because he first loved us.
Most people don’t understand this kind of loving generosity. In fact, as a Christian, it takes much much work from God’s Spirit to produce this in someone.
Some guys do just the bare minimum in their gift giving to ladies their interested in.
I’ve learned how not to give gifts.
First year anniversary: Avocado peeler
Boaz isn’t just grand in his generosity. He is also being thoughtful.
He knows this generous gift will also send a message to Naomi about his intentions.
Boaz intends to provide for both of them.
Boaz’s character has been so proven by his actions that even Naomi can make a confident assertion about his future actions.
18 She replied, “Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest but will settle the matter today.”
If this man will go to such extremes to be honorable and worthy you can count on the fact that he will complete his mission for your good.
Someone like Boaz is worth pursuing because...
Boaz had...
Humility in his reception of Ruth’s kindness.
Integrity in his dealings with Ruth late at night.
Discretion in how to protect Ruth’s reputation.
Generosity in his final interactions with Ruth that morning.
While this is a great testimony as to what each of you should look for regarding a person worth pursuing...
The reality is that Boaz is a character meant to point us to Jesus.
Jesus fulfils these even more so...
Jesus...
Showed humility in His departure from His heavenly throne.
Exhibited integrity by resisting every form of evil at every moment of His life.
Practiced perfect discretion in His ministry as to not bring dishonor to His Father’s name.
Revealed His perfect generosity in giving His life so that we might find ours.
Pursuing a Boaz is awesome!
But pursuing Jesus is even better!
Jesus is completely worthy of your pursuit!