Do not fear. The big day of resurrection is coming.

Our Redeemer Has a Plan

(Ruth 3, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, December 13, 2015)

(1-9) The plan of Naomi – a devoted parent

[3:1] Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, should I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you? [2] Is not Boaz our relative, with whose young women you were? See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. [3] Wash therefore and anoint yourself, and put on your cloak and go down to the threshing floor, but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. [4] But when he lies down, observe the place where he lies. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what to do.” [5] And she replied, “All that you say I will do.”
[6] So she went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law had commanded her. [7] And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. Then she came softly and uncovered his feet and lay down. [8] At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet! [9] He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.”

The story of Ruth 3 must be viewed within God's Old Testament Law concerning marriage in a world of tragedy. Deuteronomy 25:5-10 gives Israel God's command for the “levirate” marriage. The term levirate comes from the Latin word for brother-in-law. See also Genesis 38:6-10 and Matthew 22:23-33.

Naomi's plan was in accord with God's Law and not inappropriate. It was a bold and practical way of confidentially asserting a holy solution to the tragedy of the death of this young widow's husband. The plan involved the right man, Boaz, who would neither be immoral nor indiscreet. The plan suggested the right time and place that would give Ruth a chance of declaring her willingness to receive Boaz as a redeemer-husband and also give him a chance to refuse without much public embarrassment. See Ruth 2:12 for Boaz's earlier words to Ruth that showed that Boaz did not despise Ruth for her foreign origin, but received her as a true daughter of Israel through her covenant commitment to Naomi. Ruth's good words in 3:9 showed that she had been listening to what Boaz had said. God was her refuge, but now Boaz could be an expression of God's care for her through the institution of the levirate marriage. See Ezekiel 16:8.

(10-17) The plan of Boaz – the man who would be Ruth's husband

[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.’”

In 3:10 Boaz again builds up Ruth in appropriate ways that affirm his willingness to do what God wants in God's way. Her willingness to accept him as her levirate husband is a “hesed” kindness to him, just as she had been living out “hesed” to her mother-in-law. She was a worthy woman who would be a credit to him in the eyes of the community and not shame. But all things would be done according to God's Law and not without due regard to the right of a potential redeemer who had a nearer line to her deceased husband. Ruth's boldness was not misunderstood by Boaz. Her reputation was carefully preserved, and her connection to her mother-in-law was acknowledged again in the provision of a portion of the good harvest.

(18) Waiting on the Redeemer

[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.”

Naomi was able to hear Ruth's report and interpret it accurately. Boaz had agreed to be a redeemer, but he would do so in a way that would be most pleasing to God and appropriate to community standards. Ruth could safely wait upon Boaz. He would settle the matter “today.”

We end Ruth 3 with Ruth and Naomi waiting patiently upon the good husband to do quickly what he has promised. We too have heard a Father's plan that we should boldly and appropriately declare our willingness to be saved by the Son of God. “Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.” (Psalm 2:12) We do not deny Him, but are eager to give ourselves to Him. We “kiss the Son” and place ourselves under the protection of His embrace.

We also acknowledge that Jesus was willing to bring about our union to Him in the right way. That would mean the death of the cross. We trust Him to know what is necessary for the Father's pleasure. Unlike the Sadducees, we believe Him when He says that He will rise again on the third day. This He has done. We can trust Him for the coming fullness of the resurrection life.

By the power of the Holy Spirit, we receive a taste of heavenly food, and look for the greater harvest that is coming soon.

It is good for us to wait upon the Lord. His plan is well on its way to being fulfilled.

3000 years ago two women waited with confidence that a good man would do what needed to be done for them and swiftly. We wait for a better man than Boaz. He speaks of our hesed kindness and our worthiness. He assures us that He is very willing to be our husband. We are blessed by His declaration of His intentions. We hear His assurance with faith. He says, “Do not fear.”

So much has happened in these 3000 years. We are far closer to the fulfillment of the Lord's plans than Ruth and Boaz were so long ago. We can wait for Him with confidence that we have not made a horrible mistake in professing our love for the one who first loved us. “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) Our Redeemer has a plan, and He will surely do it. He will settle the entire matter without delay. As you wait for His coming, let His good Word build you up and receive the sacred emblems of His devotion.

Old Testament Reading—Malachi 3 – The Lord's refining fire and saving purposes for His treasured possession

Gospel Reading—Luke 1:57-80 – The birth of John and the prophecy of Zechariah