Transcript Document

Presentation 03
Presentation 03
Introduction
Sore life experiences can produce a cynicism
that in turn creates an unworthy caricature of
God; presenting him as miserly God whose
incredible resources must be prized from his
hand. Such a view can propel us from a
position of trust to one of human scheming.
Naomi is seen complicating the purposes of
God by attempting to manipulate events.
On her return to Israel, Naomi had no
immediate access to their dead husband’s
estate. In the short term both women had
been able to survive by using the grain which
Ruth had gleaned during harvest. But how
would they survive in the long term?
Presentation 03
Introduction
Naomi’s family had sold their land before travelling
to Moab. That land needed to be bought back. God’s
law provided for such a emergency. They needed a
‘kinsman redeemer’ - a male relative who would
purchase their property to prevent it from going out
of the family. Indeed, the male relative should marry
Ruth so that her firstborn son could inherit the
property and keep alive the family name.
Boaz had been identified as a possible kinsman
redeemer. He had treated Ruth kindly and shown
his affection but no marriage proposal had been
made. Time was running out - there were no crops
left to glean!
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Naomi’s Scheme
Could God be trusted to help? What we think is God’s slowness to act, is often
his plan to test and deepen our trust in him. Naomi wanted a secure future for
Ruth. Parents can identify with that, they often say, 'I won't rest until I see my
child settled and well provided for'. That is a worthy concern.
Naomi understood enough of God's word to know that a ‘kinsman-redeemer’
was required. The ‘kinsman-redeemer’ reflected God’s character for God was
to Israel, ‘The Redeemer’. He responded to their oppression rescuing them
from captivity and distress and offering freedom and hope.
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Naomi’s Scheme
Naomi complicated God’s plan with her scheming.
A simple approach to Boaz would have sufficed.
By involving Ruth in a moonlight escapade surely
reveals on Naomi’s part an ‘anxious and impatient
unbelief’, which says to God:
‘I do not think you can manage without my plan.’
Naomi, instead of trusting in God, is now placing her
trust in her own management of events.
Having laid her hands on a psychological profile of
Boaz, she now plans her scheme around that!
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Naomi’s Scheme
As so Ruth is told to visit Boaz at a time that is psychologically speaking, ideal.
i.e. after a good day at the office - when the harvest has been successfully
gathered in. And after the relaxing effects of a satisfying meal and a bottle of
wine have taken effect. Never ask a man anything when his stomach is empty!
“And Ruth put on the Dior dress and use loads of perfume – what is that new
one called? Desire! Men find it hard to say, ‘No’ to the 'damsel in distress
routine' so lie at his feet. Indicates you are a helpless female”.
This was Naomi helping God out!
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Naomi’s Scheme
Those who support Naomi and her scheming ways argue that, ‘the end
justifies the means’. And if God intended Ruth to benefit from the help of a
kinsman redeemer then the method that was used to catch him was of
secondary importance.
In the early days of the church some taught this justified ethic in relation to
evangelism - ‘the end justifies the means and long as we add numbers to the
church’. Paul reacted to this policy telling the Corinthians that he had no
intention of winning people by, ‘secret and shameful ways’. 2 Cor. 4v1
Presentation 03
Naomi’s Scheme
Several Christians have duped friends into
attending evangelistic Christian meetings. They
are then surprised to discover that their friends,
as a result of this deception have become even
more resistant to the gospel. In justification for
their actions they say, ‘But I had their best
interest at heart’.
We cannot expect God to bless duplicity. God
means us to reflect the same transparency of
character that he himself possesses. With good
reason the hymn-writer penned the words,
'perish policy and cunning'.
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Ruth’s Proposal
While Ruth was a naïve participant in this scheme, the centre of gravity of
her trust remained fixed upon God. This novice believer may not have
suspected the scope of Naomi's plan or the danger it involved. Ruth had
begun to discover what it was like to take refuge under God's wings [2:12].
She could not have gone through with this plan if she had been unsure of
God. Like many young believers she was prepared to accept the advice and
counsel of those who are considered to be more mature in their faith.
Presentation 03
Ruth’s Proposal
There is a tremendous onus of responsibility
upon those of us who offer advice to other
believers lest they develop a relationship with
us that becomes too dependent. If we enjoy
promoting such a relationship we betray a
festering insecurity in our own personality to
say nothing of not foster immaturity in others.
Dr. Quartz a character in C. S. Lewis’s book
"The Four Loves", develops this dependant
relationship with his students. They share all
his ideas, agree with all his suggestions and
do whatever he says. When he shouts ‘Jump’,
they ask, ‘How high?’
Presentation 03
Ruth’s Proposal
Then one day a former student of Dr. Quarz
returned to the university bringing with him his
own ideas. He expected to be treated as an
equal by Dr. Quartz but instead found himself
ostracised. Why? Because poor Quartz felt
threatened by any relationship that was not
dependant upon him and agreed with all his
ideas.
It is important to be open to the advice that
others offer but it is possible to become too
dependent upon our advisors be they parents,
friends or minister if as a result we have never
learned to think independently. That can be
very unhealthy!
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The Response Of Boaz
Boaz responds very positively to the embarrassing position that Naomi’s
scheme had placed him in. While expressing delight in Ruth's willingness to
approach him as kinsman redeemer, he is too much of a gentleman to
comment on her method of approach. He surely discerned Naomi’s hand in
this questionable strategy.
The remarkable irony is that it was
not Naomi’s package of allurement
that won him over but rather
Ruth’s family loyalty.
Presentation 03
The Response Of Boaz
Instead of marrying a young camel millionaire, which would have meant the
disappearance of her dead husband’s name and the loss of his inheritance
she was prepared to die to self and marry an older man. In this way she was
prepared to fulfil her family commitments. The callous and selfish
individualism of our own day means that both family and church loyalty are
at a discount. Our commitment to God should mean that our commitments
to our family are greater and not less.
Presentation 03
The Response Of Boaz
Boaz’s slowness to respond to the need of his kinswomen
is now explained in v12.. There was a nearer relative
whose duty it was to help. It would have been improper
for Boaz to make the first move. But now that he has
been approached, even if in an unorthodox fashion, he
would see the matter through to a successful outcome.
Why? Not simply because it was his duty but because he
was motivated by love. Love always goes beyond duty.
Service that springs from duty is often calculating, mean
and resentful. Duty says, “I took my turn a week ago it
can’t be my turn again”. In contrast, there is a generosity
and spontaneity in love’s commitment. It does not keep
an account like the husband who told his wife, “I kissed
you last week, don’t ask me to kiss you today”.
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The Response Of Boaz
Boaz’s love is further seen in his determination to protect Ruth. He is
concerned not just for her physical safety, ‘stay here for the night’ but also for
her reputation. The words, 'all my fellow townsmen know that you are a
woman of good character', suggest he knew that Ruth was uneasy about
some might see as her entrapment of Boaz. He also wanted to protect Ruth
from the nearer kinsman who could have taken advantage of their nocturnal
meeting. For these reason Boaz’s workforce is told to keep Ruth’s visit a
secret. Paul writes, “love covering all things ”, 1 Cor.13v7. Love does not
excuse wrong or call it good but it does not go out of its way to broadcast it.
Presentation 03
The Response Of Boaz
There is always something suspect in any relationship
where one member takes delight in publicly exposing
the weakness of another. It is not an expression of love
to hang out dirty washing on the line. The Rev Alex
Whyte of Edinburgh carried around a card that he
constantly consulted. It read, 'Is it true, is it kind, is it
necessary to repeat it.'
If we profess to love one another, and love lies at the
heart of the family of God, then like Boaz,
we will be in the protection business.
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The Response Of Boaz
Boaz did one final thing for Ruth. He gave her a
token of intent, something that spoke of the
sincerity, determination and commitment of his
love, something to impress upon her that he was
not all talk.
The gift of grain mentioned in v15 is a pledge of a
richer provision yet to come. And so, not because
of, but despite the scheming of Naomi, Ruth walked
home with excitement stirred in her heart.
Someone may think, “It would be wonderful to
have someone like Boaz looking after my interests”.
Well you have! Who?
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Conclusion
The role of the kinsman redeemer reflects the redemptive love of God for his
people. It is a signpost pointing forward to the Lord Jesus Christ who is our
true kinsman redeemer. The eternal Son of God became our near relation
clothing himself in our humanity. He was motivated, not by duty, but by a
love that defies comprehension. He is committed to meeting the great need
of our hearts. Naomi said of Boaz, 'the man will not rest until the matter is
settled'. Jesus was no less determined and spoke of his cross saying, 'I have a
baptism to undergo and how distressed I am until it is completed.' Lk. 12.50
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Conclusion
We do not need to scheme and plot to secure
his help. The work of redemption is not
something we need to wring out of the heart of
an unwilling God. It is there for the asking.
Our kinsman redeemer is more willing to
respond to our need that we are to ask for help.
He too has given a pledge of his commitment to
his people. It promises that the work of
redemption that he has begun will be brought
to a glorious conclusion. The Holy Spirit in the
believer’s heart is the pledge and promise of
future glory. Has Jesus begun to work in your
life, ‘he will not rest until the matter is settled’
and you are brought safely to glory!
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