[Notes of a sermon preached in April, 2018]

‘As it turned out’ (v3) becomes a story of God’s grace, given and received.

1. Grace given by Boaz, who has

(a) unique integrity

This is seen from his first words to his last, from his first action to his last.  From Judges 17 on, the only man with real integrity.

(b) God’s heart for the stranger

v5 – “Whose young woman is that?”  v12 – “the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take shelter.”

‘The LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awesome God who is unbiased and takes no bribe, who justly treats the orphan and widow, and who loves resident foreigners, giving them food and clothing. So you must love the resident foreigner because you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.’ (Deut 10:17-19)  [Windrush]

(c) the right, ability and willingness to transform this situation

He has the right – Goel (v20), the ability a ‘man of standing’ (v1), and the will.  More to come!

Christ – anointed and appointed by God

Lord – all authority in heaven and on earth

Jesus – his very nature is to reach out and rescue

2. Grace received by Ruth, who

(a) seizes the initiative; provision in God’s law for gleaning.  v2 “Let me go into the fields”

Despair – is that Naomi?

Indifference – but not Ruth

(b) knows what she needs; v2 “Anyone in whose eyes I find favour”.  Does not stand on her rights: ‘Look at what I’ve been through.’  ‘I deserve a break.’ ‘God owes it to me.’

(c) responds with gratitude, v10 “Why have I found such favour in your eyes that you notice me – a foreigner?”

(d) receives more than she asks or imagines.  What she asks for is leftovers, v2.  What she receives is respect, v8, protection, v9, refreshment, v9, acceptance, v14, and abundant provision, v17f.

Conclusion

‘Some providences, like Hebrew letters, must be read backwards.’

At the time, v3 ‘As it turned out’

Looking back, v20 “The Lord has not stopped showing his kindness.

Grace received contains within itself the promise of grace to come.

‘He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?’ (Romans 8:32)

‘Freely you have received; freely give’ (Mt 10:8)

What is before us we know not,
whether we shall live or die,
but this we know:
that all things are ordered and sure.
Everything is ordered with unerring wisdom
and unbounded love,
by you, our God, the God of love.
Grant us in all things to see your hand,
through Jesus Christ our Lord,

Amen
(Charles Simeon)