Sermon Cloud

Today, we continue our study of the book of Ruth, A Tale of Two Women, in Ruth chapter 4. As you turn there, let’s remember where we have come from in the story so far. The story of Ruth began with suffering. In chapter 1 Naomi and her husband and two sons were chose to leave their homeland in Judah on account of famine. Then Naomi's husband dies. Her sons marry Moabite women and for ten years the women are not able to bear any children. And then her sons die leaving two widows in Naomi’s care. Even though Ruth clings to Naomi, chapter 1 ends with Naomi's bitter complaint: "I went away full and the Lord has brought me back empty . . . The Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me." But with God there is always hope. In chapter 2 Naomi is filled with this hope because Boaz appears on the scene as a possible husband for Ruth. The character of Ruth and Boaz is on full display as they began to interact and their stories began to intertwine. But Boaz doesn't propose to Ruth. He doesn't make any moves. At least that's the way it seems at first. So the chapter closes brimming with excited hope, but also with great suspense and uncertainty about how all this might work out. In chapter 3 Naomi and Ruth make a risky move in the middle of the night. Ruth goes to Boaz on the threshing floor and says in effect, "I want you to spread your wing over me as my husband." But right when the tragedy of Ruth's widowhood seems to be resolved into a beautiful love story, there is a roadblock to the redemption of Ruth. There is another man who according to Hebrew custom has prior claim to marry Ruth. The impeccably honest Boaz will not proceed without giving this man his lawful opportunity. So chapter 3 ends again in the suspense of what will happen next.

As we began Ruth 4, remember that just like our redemption it is through a legal transaction a relationship is born. It doesn’t sound very romantic, but that is what is bubbling beneath the surface waiting for the right time to reveal itself. There are things that must be done in order for the redemption to take place; we learn from Boaz that the WISDOM OF GOD IS FOUND IN THE PROCESS REDEMPTION. Boaz had told Ruth that there was just one problem with his plan to redeem her. There is another man who is a closer relative than Boaz and he has the right of first refusal at her redemption. So, Boaz moves into chapter 4 with wisdom in order to provide redemption for Ruth.