Class: Surrounded by Security, Ruth 3

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Download the Notes: 09142014Ruth3DonRuhl

Surrounded by Security 

Ruth 3

Don Ruhl • Savage Street, Grants Pass, Oregon • September 14, In the year of our Lord, 2014

Persuasion: 

1. Ruth 3.1–5 – Naomi Looks After Ruth

   1 Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you? 2 Now Boaz, whose young women you were with, is he not our relative? In fact, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. 3 Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 Then it shall be, when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies; and you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lie down; and he will tell you what you should do.” 5 And she said to her, “All that you say to me I will do.”

   1. See Naomi’s care for Ruth:
      1. Naomi sought security or rest for Ruth.
      2. Naomi informed Ruth that Boaz was a relative.
      3. Naomi instructed Ruth on what to do next.
         1. Ruth had to make herself presentable.
         2. Ruth’s devotion to Naomi paid off.
            1. Ruth sowed love,
            2. she reaped love.
               1. How do you treat people who are kind to you?
               2. How do you treat people who are devoted to you?
   2. They would winnow the barley at night,
      1. after having harvested the grain during the day.
      2. They would then sleep there to protect the harvest from
         1. thieves or
         2. animals.
   3. Ruth obeyed Naomi.
2. Ruth 3.6–15 – Boaz Looks After Ruth

   6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law instructed her. 7 And after Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was cheerful, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came softly, uncovered his feet, and lay down. 8 Now it happened at midnight that the man was startled, and turned himself; and there, a woman was lying at his feet. 9 And he said, “Who are you?” So she answered, “I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative.” 10 Then he said, “Blessed are you of the Lord, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich. 11 And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman. 12 Now it is true that I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I. 13 Stay this night, and in the morning it shall be that if he will perform the duty of a close relative for you—good; let him do it. But if he does not want to perform the duty for you, then I will perform the duty for you, as the Lord lives! Lie down until morning.” 14 So she lay at his feet until morning, and she arose before one could recognize another. Then he said, “Do not let it be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” 15 Also he said, “Bring the shawl that is on you and hold it.” And when she held it, he measured six ephahs of barley, and laid it on her. Then she went into the city.

   1. Boaz retired for the evening.
   2. Ruth did as Naomi instructed her.
   3. Ruth encouraged Boaz to take her under his wing.
   4. Boaz blessed Ruth, saying:
      1. She was blessed of the Lord;
      2. Her kindness increased;
      3. She did not go after young men;
      4. She should not fear;
      5. He would do as she requested, knowing the kind of woman she was;
      6. There was a closer relative;
      7. He promised to let the other relative have her;
      8. If the closer relative could not take her, Boaz would;
      9. He wanted this whole episode to be kept secret.
      10. He gave her plenty of barley.
          1. Six ephahs or six measures was a lot of grain.
          2. One measure equaled about 2 1/2 gallons.
   5. Do you think that Boaz had been thinking of Ruth?
   6. Ruth saw herself as a foreigner,
      1. as one who was not as good as Boaz’s maidservants, but
      2. Boaz saw her as neither Israelite nor Moabite.
         1. Rather he saw her as a virtuous woman.
         2. How do people see you?
   7. Ruth 3:9 – Naomi’s Cold Feet Plan

      Naomi Told Ruth

      Listen Ruth, this idea is neat.
      When Bo’ sleeps you uncover his feet.
      He is very reserved,
      your decorum’s preserved,
      and it sure is a great way to meet.
      http://www.biblelimericks.com/limerick/ruth-223-but-boaz-can-t-have-her/

3. Ruth 3.16–18 – Boaz Looks After Naomi

   16 When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “Is that you, my daughter?” Then she told her all that the man had done for her. 17 And she said, “These six ephahs of barley he gave me; for he said to me, ‘Do not go empty-handed to your mother-in-law.’” 18 Then she said, “Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day.”

   1. Ruth reported the works of Boaz to Naomi.
   2. Boaz did not want Ruth to go back to Naomi empty-handed.
   3. Naomi knew what Boaz would do next, and that he would stay at it until completed.
4. What are we to make of this chapter?
   1. It shows the providence of God in the life of a new believer.
   2. It shows the God of heaven working in the lives of various individuals to bring the Savior into the world.
   3. While Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz saw everything in life within the context of the Lord, they had no idea that the Holy Spirit would record this part of their lives for all the world to see.
   4. Moreover, they had no idea how the Lord used them to bring salvation to all the families of the Earth.