(Audio and Text Available)
Title: When You See It…
Intro:
“The Lord be with you!”
“The Lord bless you!”
The manner in which Boaz appears upon the scene is almost larger than life. If fact, the author of Ruth even introduces the hero with the phrase, “Now, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem…”
He immediately greets his workers in his field.
If we stop for a moment and think about this, we can conclude at least three things:
- Boaz was most likely wealthy. (His fields are vast enough that he has paid workers tending to them.)
- His workers love him because he does not consider himself to be above them, but rather greets them, engages them, and they show their mutual love and respect back to Boaz by blessing him in the name of The Lord.”
Application:
Boaz sets the example as the forerunner of Christ. Though Boaz is rich and mighty, he not only associates with the lowly, he LOVES and cares for them.
And not only his own employees, but also he pays attention to the poor gleaners who are dependent upon his generosity to eat. We will see this in the coming verses as Boaz will directly engage Ruth.
POINT: Our blessing from God makes us NO greater than any other person. We see Jesus, a KING, associate with the lowly time and time again in his ministry. (Matthew the tax collector, The Samaritan Woman at the Well, The lame and blind.)
The way the servant answers Boaz establishes Ruth’s character among the Israelites.
Up until this point in the story, we really don’t know how Ruth has been received in this foreign country, but this testimony, from Boaz’s head servant, tells us much about the reputation and character that Ruth is quickly developing among this foreign nation.
From how the servant answers Boaz’s question, what can we determine about Ruth’s reputation?
1. Ruth is faithful. She has come to Israel, a foreign country, while still in her youth and able to marry again, for the sake and comfort of her relative. (Naomi)
2. Ruth is modest. She asks permission for what might have been considered a right.
3. Ruth is hardworking. “So she came and has continued from morning until now.” The head servant reports to Boaz that Ruth has been busy since morning, only taking occasional breaks.
Application:
(two pictures)
Jerry Ball and Randy Moss
“People would rather see a sermon than hear one.”
What does that mean about your expectation of me as your Pastor?
What does that mean about my expectation of you as a Christian?