What a great time we’ve had studying the book of Ruth! If you’ve missed any of the Sunday messages, you can find them here.
This past Sunday we moved to Chapter 3 and looked at five steps that Ruth took. If you want to know what you can do while you are single, how to have a good relationship with your daughter-in-law or mother-in-law, and how to guard your reputation, we see those things here.
We also see that there was a lot to get settled. A lot of time passed between Chapter 2 and Chapter 3. Ruth and Boaz had gotten off to a great start. He invited her to dinner and then there was nothing! She goes to her job daily, but they never have a second date. Does that sound familiar? Are we friends? Are we more than friends? Are we dating casually or exclusively? Are we going public on social media? These are all questions that come up in relationships.
Ruth prepared, pursued, believed, received, and waited. She took a great risk to encourage Boaz. Boaz went to act, but there was another man in the way! It’s like watching a Hallmark movie! The chapter ends with Naomi assuring Ruth, “For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today” (Ruth 3:18).
This should be an encouragement to all of us. Whatever is left hanging, get it settled. The Bible is really about Jesus. Every story points to Him.
Ruth was a penniless alien outside the family of God. Boaz is a picture of Jesus our Redeemer. As Boaz redeemed Ruth, Christ came to redeem us. A redeemer had to be kin, able to pay, and willing to pay. Jesus redeems us from the bondage of sin, redeems our life from the pit, and returns to us everything we lost because of sin. As Ruth cast herself at the feet of Boaz, we cast ourselves at the feet of Jesus. As she was covered by his garment, we are covered by the blood. Boaz, the bridegroom, took Ruth to himself. Jesus is our Bridegroom and takes us to Himself. We wait for his return.
Have you ever cast yourself at the feet of Jesus and asked Him to make you his own? Just like Ruth and Boaz needed to DTR, it is time to define the relationship. Who is Jesus to you? Is He just some man in history? Do you know about Him in your head, but not your heart? He is the Lamb of God, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. He is Lord. He is the name above every name. There is salvation in no other name. He wants to be #1 in your life.
If anyone is in Christ, He can redeem and make all things new (2 Cor. 5:17). There is no sin too great for God’s grace, no marriage too broken for God’s healing, no relationship beyond God’s redemption. Define your relationship with Him today.
