Boaz: Godly Redeemer, Husband, Father
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
9/1/2019 AM
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Text:
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Ruth 2,3,4
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Psalters: |
378, 235, 150, 205 |
Sacrament of Baptism |
- The godly man (and women).
- A prodigal daughter (Naomi) left her spiritual Father’s house and lived for ten years in Moab under her Father’s chastening.
- Like the prodigal son, she returned acknowledging her sin and her heavenly Father’s faithful chastening of her (1:21).
- Bitterness over sin leads to the wondrous joy of God’s mercy (Ps. 86:5,15; 103:8), evidenced in the material provision.
- Boaz (strength or quickness) was obviously a man of faith.
- Boaz recognized virtues of a child of God in Ruth.
- Her care for her mother-in-law, her humility; her industry, and in her trust in God’s providence to lead her.
- Boaz evidenced his faith.
- The plea for redemption.
- Boaz praised Ruth for her virtue (3:11) and promised to redeem the Elimelech’s land if the nearer kinsman would not (12,13).
- He spread his skirt over her (as a symbolic pledge of marriage, 3:9), apparently anticipating the nearer kin would not.
- He redeemed Elimelech’s property taking the responsibility to take Ruth in marriage, giving Mahlon a son (Deut. 25:5-10).
- Naomi’s advice to Ruth to lie at the feet of Boaz (3:4) was not improper, for the widow of a deceased and childless man was free to press her claim for marriage to her kinsman publicly before the elders of the city (Deut. 25:7).
- The next day Boaz went to the gate of the city to represent the cause of Ruth (Naomi and Elimelech) to the city’s elders (4:1).
- Lessons.
- Note that “Jehovah gave her conception” (4:13). We may not presume conception, but must know that it is truly a gift
- Ruth is honored to be included in Christ’s genealogy (Matt. 1:5) which corresponds with what women say to Naomi (4:15).
- Jesus Christ came and took His church to Himself as His bride, knowing that it means a great sacrifice on His part.