We're going to turn tonight in our Bibles to Ruth Chapter 3,
Ruth Chapter 3, and we'll take time to read the chapter,
encourage you to read the book of Ruth, make a pot of tea, have
some coffee. Ruth chapter 3 Let's hear the
word of God reading from verse one.
The words will come up and scream for those on the
Internet. Then Naomi, her mother-in-law
said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee,
that it may be well with thee? And thy is not Boaz of our
kindred, with whose maidens thy was?
Behold, he went with barley tonight in the threshing floor.
Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment
upon thee, and get thee down to the floor.
But make not thyself known unto the man until he shall have done
eating and drinking. And it shall be when he lieth
down that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie.
And thou shall go in and uncover his feet, and lay thee down, and
he will tell thee what thou shall do.
And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.
And she went down onto the floor, and did according to all
that her mother-in-law bade her. And when Boaz had eaten and
drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end
of the heap of corn. And she came softly, and
uncovered his feet, and laid her down.
And it came to pass at midnight that the man was afraid, and
turned himself, and behold, a woman lay at his feet.
And he said, Who art thy? And she answered, I am Ruth,
thine handmaid. Spread therefore thy skirt over
thine handmaid, for thou ward a near kinsman.
And he said, Blessed be thou of the Lord, my daughter.
For thou was shown more kindness in the latter end than at the
beginning, in as much as thy followers, not young men,
whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, fear not,
I will do to thee all that thy requirest.
For all the city of my people don't know that thou art a
virtuous woman. And now it is true that I am thy
near kinsman. Howbeit there is a kinsman near
the nigh. Tarry this night, and it shall
be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part
of a kinsman, well, let him do the kinsman's part.
But if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will
I do the part of a kinsman to thee.
As the Lord liveth, Lie down until the morning, and she lay
at his feet until the morning, and she rose up before 1 could
know another. And he said that it not be known
that a woman came into the floor also.
He said, Bring the veal that thou hast upon thee, and hold
it. And when she held it, he
measured 6 measures of barley and let it on her.
And she went into the city. And when she came near to her
mother-in-law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter?
And she told her all that the man had done to her.
And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me.
For he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother-in-law.
Then she said, Sit still my daughter until thy know how the
matter will fall, for the man will not be in rest until they
have finished the thing this day.
Amen. We know God will stamp with its
own approval and blessing this reading of its own precious and
infallible word. Now my text tonight is taken
from Ruth chapter 3 and it says in verse 11 And now my daughter,
fear not I will do to thee all that they requirest for all the
city of my people don't know that thou art a virtuous woman.
Now from this text of entitled the theme A love story in the
dark or the redemptive power of love.
Now, those of you who are familiar with the book of Ruth
know that the book of Ruth unfolds during the days of the
Judges. It's the season when every man
did that which is right in his own eyes.
Judges chapter 2125 is the key text of the book.
It's a dark and difficult day. It's a day of moral crisis.
And in that day God wonderfully reveals to US one of the most
beautiful love stories in all of the Bible.
And the love story is between a woman called Ruth, described, as
we'll see, Ruth the Moabite S, and Boaz, who is a mighty man of
wealth, a near kinsman to Naomi and her family.
This love story is not loud or dramatic.
It's certainly not steamy or seedy.
It's not like the Hollywood love stories.
No, this is a love story in dark times.
It's a revelation of a love that is faithful and patient and
tender hearted and redemptive. And you know what?
It's not just a love story simply between one man and
woman. And it is that, but it's more
it's a revelation of a covenant love.
It's a revelation of redeeming grace for faithful obedience.
Now, in Chapter 3 in the book of Ruth, the scene unfolds in the
threshing floor. It's after the harvest has been
gathered in. It's dark, in fact.
It's the midnight hour. It's an hour when reputations
could be ruined, an hour when intentions could be
misunderstood. And yet it's here, in the
darkness of the night, in the midst of the threshing floor,
that Boaz speaks to Ruth. And when he speaks to Ruth, he
speaks one of the most wonderful affirmations of Holy Scripture.
Listen again to what he says. And now, my daughter, fear not.
I will do to thee all that thy requires, for all the city of my
people don't know that thou art a virtuous woman.
Now, these words reveal a love story in the dark, or if you
want a little add to that, a love story in the dark of the
redeeming power of love. Now, as I read these words and
thought about it, and I was challenged by a member of the
congregation here about Ruth a few weeks ago, there's four
things come to my mind. As you think of this love story
in the dark, here's the first thing that you can learn.
It rejoices in Ruth's conversion.
Look at the text. It says, and now, my daughter,
fear not. Notice how Boaz begins.
He begins with a word of great comfort.
Fear not literally. Do not be afraid.
Ruth, of course, is every reason to fear.
She was a foreigner and more by this, she was a widow.
She's a woman alone in the threshing floor at night, a
woman with no claim on Israel's promises.
And she was vulnerable to misinterpretation, being in the
threshing floor around about midnight, a Jet Boaz removes
these fears. Hi, notice what he says.
And now my daughter. Notice these words, my daughter.
They're actually quoted five times in this chapter.
These two words my daughter, I believe are full of grace and
covenant love five times. The words my daughter's found in
this chapter. But do you know in the book of
Ruth five times in the book Ruth is called Ruth the Moabite S.
In chapter 1 verse 22 it says so Naomi returned and Ruth the
Moabite S her daughter-in-law come to chapter 2 and verse 2
and it says this. And Ruth the Moabite S said unto
Naomi, chapter 2, verse 21. And Ruth the Moabite S said,
chapter 4, verse 5. Then said Boaz, what day thou
buyest the field of the hand of Naomi?
Thy must buy it also of Ruth the Moabite S, the wife of the dead,
to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.
And then we've got as well chapter 4 and verse 10, and it
says, moreover, Ruth the Moabite S, the wife of Mallow.
Five times in the book of Ruth, Ruth is called Ruth the Moabite
S. Now that title reveals her
background. And five in biblical numerics
has to do with the number of grace.
So five times she's called Ruth the Mobite S.
And five times in chapter 3 where Ruth the Mobite S is not
mentioned, she's called my daughter.
That's significant. See, Ruth's a woman who has
found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
She's a woman to whom the Lord has been merciful to.
She's a woman who's been brought out of heathendom and brought
into the company of the people of God.
Remember her momentous decision? And what does it say there in
Ruth chapter 1, verses 16 and 17?
And Ruth said, this is her speaking to Naomi.
Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after
thee, for whether thy goest I will go, and where thy lodgest I
will lodge. Thy people shall be my people,
and thy God my God. Where thy dieest will I die, and
there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more
also if aught but death part thee in me.
Roof leaves her homeland, Moab. She leaves the community of her
people. She leaves her family.
She leaves her Pagan gods. See, these words were not
sentimentally spoken. They were spoken literally.
But they were also spoken heartily, spoken confidently.
This was an expression of her true love toward the God of
Israel and towards the people of God.
And of course, true love towards God and man must begin with a
momentous decision, and that momentous decision will involve
denial and sacrifice. And that dementous decision,
this decision of Ruth, changed the entire course of her life.
You see, it's not true of the life of every Sinner.
The moment a Sinner trust in Christ, their life changed,
transformed by the grace of God. They're different, but a man be
in Christ is a new creature. All things are passed away and
all things have become new and all things are of God.
They're born of God. Now you see, the life of God is
in their heart. They're washed in the blood of
Christ. They're infused with the love of
God. They're connected to true
conversion because God has worked in one's heart in life.
The Spirit of God brings them to make that momentous decision.
You think of the words of the little chorus.
I have decided to follow Jesus. That's an expressing a desire.
That's the Spirit of God enabling you to make a choice
for Christ, Christ for me, the hope of glory.
Didn't Joshua say in Joshua 24 and 15 choose you this day whom
you will serve the Lord Jesus said in Matthew chapter 16 verse
24. If any man will come after me,
let him deny himself. See, See, the gospel begins with
the grace of God. Romans 8 And one says there is
therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus,
in Christ, in union with him. You're not only born of the
Spirit, but become a babe in the family.
You become a son or a daughter. A new life has begun and here's
Ruth now and she's living out that new life in Bethlehem,
Judah, and she has a testimony to the saving and keeping power
of God. And then chapter 3 in this love
story in the dark, she's called five times.
My daughter, this woman has decided for Christ.
Ruth, 116 and 17. This woman is desirous of
Christ, devoted to Christ. She she's willing to deny and
sacrifice for Christ. Here she's saying, Thy God will
be my God, thy people will be my people.
It's not similar to what David said in Psalm 48, verse 14.
For this God will be my guide, even unto death.
I asked the question tonight lovingly, personally.
Are you really converted? Have you been born again of the
Spirit? Has Jesus Christ become the Lord
of your life? Do you live for Christ?
Is he the real love of your life?
Are you loyal to Christ? Think of Boaz, the threshing
floor at midnight. And he's speaking to Ruth and he
removes her fears. He tells her fear, not great
comfort, because there's a great call he can say to her.
And now my daughter, he's speaking a good, faithful word.
Do I ask the question, are you a son or a daughter of God in this
love story? In the dark, there's a rejoicing
in her conversion very quickly. And secondly, there's a ruffling
in Roof's character. If you look again at the text
that says, for all the city of my people don't know that thou
art a virtuous woman, think of those words, that thou art a
virtuous woman. Now what does that mean?
Well, you see the word virtuous. If you look up a dictionary
definition, you'll get one who is morally upright, one who is
pure of heart and mind, one who's innocent of character.
And here's Boaz and he's looking for a bride, he's looking for a
wife. And he says to Ruth, thy art, a
virtuous woman. Let me explain that.
You see, being a virtuous woman is a priceless commodity.
I've got a book in the Porter cabin and it says be a Proverbs
31 woman. Sometimes those that are
preaching in the States of America on family conferences
will ask the young ladies and the women didn't the grannies,
are you a Proverbs 31 woman? And that should be inspirational
to every woman. And I believe it was
inspirational to Naomi, her mother-in-law, but it was also
inspirational to Ruth herself. It's recorded of her.
Thou art a virtuous woman. And if you look over there at
Proverbs 31 verse 10, we read these words.
Who can find a virtuous woman for her price is far above
rubies. In Proverbs 31 and verse 30 we
read favour is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman that
feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
Now if I went round some of the men folk tonight.
In fact, if you ask me and we're talking about being saved and
saying well you know, do you profess to be saved?
Yes. Do you love the Lord Jesus
Christ? Yes.
Have you tasted the grace of God?
Yes. Well, we'll ask a second
question. Well, what do you look for,
first of all, in a partner that you want to be joined to for the
rest of your life? And of course, part of the
answer, now listen to me carefully, is physical
attraction. Physical attraction is a part of
it, but it's a part, only a part.
And you see, we have to at times encourage the young people to
look beyond physical appearance. Why?
Because beauty fades in the passing of time.
The the young bride will become an older bride.
Beauty. Someone has said it's only skin
deep. Someone said to one of our
ministers one time, did you know that beauty's only skin deep
brother? And you have been peeled and he
wasn't too pleased and not say who it was.
Abraham remembered was physically attracted to Sarah
because she was fair and beautiful to look upon.
The same happened to Jacob and Rachel.
Physical attraction, young man and young woman plays a part, a
real part. But a small part, you see,
coupled with physical attraction is when they get to know each
other. Young girls particular.
Does he have a car? Does he have a good job?
Has he got some money in the bank?
What's his mother like? Does he have brothers and
sisters? And you see the list goes on and
on and on, but often last in that list, which should be the
top is this question. Is she saved?
Does he know and love Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour?
Or is he a spiritual minded young man?
Does he go to the House of God in the day of God?
Does he read and know his Bible? Does he go to the prayer
meeting? Is he a worker?
Does he want to help out? Does he want to be involved?
Is he signed in the faith? That would be the Protestant
Reform faith. You see, this is a priceless
commodity. Notice also, this is a peculiar
community. You see, I would encourage the
young men and the young women in our churches, including this
church, when they're thinking of a partner for life, then look
within the Christian community. Certainly don't be going to the
pub, don't be going to the clubs.
Think about the church, the neighbouring churches,
missionary work, the Bible college, the castle whale and
weekend see and why I emphasise that.
I emphasise that for this reason the unequal yoke is wrong.
It's not according to the mind and will of God.
Second Corinthians 6 and 14 says, be ye not unequally yoked
together with unbelievers for what fellowship of
righteousness, with unrighteousness of what
communion have laid with darkness.
Not only is it wrong, the unequal yoke tied into that,
it's not God's will, but so often it doesn't really work
out. And for those who have entered
into an unequal yoke as far as marriage is concerned, where
you've got maybe a husband who's a believer and, and the bride is
not, or the bride is a believer and the husband is not, they
often individually have a hard life.
And so often they're pulled down in a spiritual sense.
And it is important that this virtuous woman is found in a
particular community. You see a professing Christian,
one who's saved and spiritually minded.
That individual's rare to find. It's rare to find people that
are morally upright and pure of heart and mind because we live
in an ungodly world. We live in a world of atheists,
a world of atheistic ideology, no God, no absolutes.
We live in a world of agnostics. It's it's for them, it's cool
not to believe in God. And of course, because they're
atheistic and agnostic, they haven't much time for holy jokes
and they haven't much time for apron string Marys who are pure
and clean living. They haven't much time for those
who refuse to go out and get drunk and do drugs and who
reject the nightclub when the party's scene, who who say no to
an immoral lifestyle. And on top of that they oppose
things like abortion, they reject the LGBT agenda, they
reject so much of the government's anti God ways and
laws. And what are they called?
They're called a square. They're called a religious nut
job, they're called a Bible crackpot.
I remember one time the late Doctor Paisley was on the radio
many years ago, I think it was David Dunceeth and the Talkback
programme. And whatever Doctor Paisley was
saying, Mr Duncef said to him, you're a bigot, Dr Paisley.
And he said in his big deep voice, I take that as a
compliment. Yes, I'm a Bible bigot for
Jesus. She's a particular community.
I would encourage the young ones, as I've always done, to
dress smart, shunned immodest apparel.
Be willing to be the odd one out.
You know, a mother was speaking to another mother one day about
her daughter and said your daughter's too well dressed to
take her place in the world. And the mother replied back,
well, I view that as a badge of honour, that my daughter's too
well dressed to take her place in the world.
It's also a pleasing commentary. See, Ruth's virtue was
recognised by Boaz. It was him that was saying it as
a potential husband, as the a kinsman Redeemer.
Thou art a virtuous woman. And remember, this is the days
of the judges. This is a a day where there's a
morally unstable culture. And of course, the setting here,
the flashing floor at midnight when the men were asleep, having
eaten and drank it was right for a scandal.
And yet Ruth wasn't known for her vice.
She's known for her virtue. And over there in the book of
Philippians, in Philippians chapter 2 and in the verse 15, I
believe God honours holy living, that ye may be blameless and
harmless, the sons of God without rebuke, in the midst of
a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in
the world, what should our aim be?
Our aim should be to please the Lord.
Remember we read in Philippians 4, verse 8.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever
things are on us, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever
things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever
things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if
there be any praise, think in these things.
Put the Lord first. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God
and His righteousness, and all these other things shall be
added unto you. That's a good motto for living
by. This is a priceless commodity.
This is a particular community. This is a pleasing commentary.
Thy art a virtuous woman. Notice also.
Thirdly, he recounts Ruth's consideration.
If you go back to our text, what does it say?
He, he, he, He says to her on the threshing floor.
For all the city of my people dost know that thou art a
virtuous woman. He's speaking about Bethlehem,
Judah. How did they know?
Well, here's the answer. They watched her, they observed
her. They took note of her.
She was recognised by others. Her testimony had to be built
over time. It was there in Moab when she
made that momentous decision in the border Route 116 and 17, in
her faithfulness, Tiomi, in that she refused to leave her, even
to the point where she said where you die, I'll die and
where you're buried. That's where I'll be buried in
the harvest field. Chapter 2 in her humble
obedience to Boaz, listen to what he said.
Verse 10 And he said, Blessed be thou of the Lord, my daughter,
for thou hast showed more kindness in the latter end than
at the beginning. In as much as thou followest not
young men, whether rich or poor, in her marriage and family life.
In chapter 4, you see there's a spiritual principle here.
People are watching us. Your life and mine is being
observed on a daily basis in the home, in the school, in the
university, in the workplace. And even though you're being
observed and watched, I can tell you they'll try to tempt you and
they'll try to trip you up. They'll do their best tomorrow
and destroy your testimony. Do you know whenever you're
coming out to church in the Lord's Day, you're coming out
with a new suit on or a good suit?
Your dress, ladies, you've got your hat on, you've got your
Bible in your hand. You're getting into the car.
That's a repeated pattern. People in the housing estates
that see you getting into your car, they know that your
repeated church scores, they know you're not going shopping.
They know you're not going to work.
They know you're not going golfing.
And on one hand we could say, well, I don't care what people
think, but it does matter. Did the Lord Jesus care what
Peter's people think? Remember what we read of him in
Luke chapter 2 and verse 52. Listen to these words.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favour with
God and men. As a young boy of 12, he sought
to have the favour of God and the favour of men.
Paul talked in Acts 24 verse 16. A conscience void of offence.
In First Thessalonians 2 and 10, Paul talked about how I behaved
myself. In First Timothy 3:00 and 7:00
it says an elder should have a good report of those that are
without. That's outside the household of
faith, those outside in society and remember the Lord Jesus said
let your light shine before men. Matthew 5 and 16.
Isn't that a real challenge? What does that mean?
Let your light shine before men? Well, it doesn't mean that we're
to walk about with a Lantern or a Tilly lamp and let people see
our light. It means be a walking light.
It means let people see Christ reflected in you.
Let people see the gospel. This old, old story.
Do you know that integrity and intimacy can't be hid?
It's seen, oh there's a couple in love, look how intimate they
are with each other, look at the integrity of their relationship.
And of course the opposite is true.
Immorality and iniquity cannot be hid.
It is also seen and it's also spoken of, that our life of
integrity and a life of interest with the Lord.
Never perfect, but certainly passionate.
Remember, if they don't read their Bible, they're going to
read your life and they'll get their testimony from you.
What sort of testimony do they get?
What sort of testimony do you radiate?
You see, he recounts Ruth's consideration.
All the city doth know they had watched and observed.
And one final thing. He rejoices in Ruth's
commendation. This is his personal verdict.
Thou art a virtuous woman, replied At Boa's feet she
requests to be covered. Chapter 3, verse 9 I am Ruth,
thine handmaid. Spread therefore thy skirt over
thine handmaid, for thou order near kinsman.
She humbled herself. See, virtue doesn't redeem her,
but her virtue does prepare her for the redemption of the
kinsman. First Peter 5 and 6 says, Humble
yourselves that he may exalt you in due time.
He said to her, I will do all that thou requirest.
Boaz didn't hesitate. He didn't bargain with her.
He didn't offer a delay. The redemption of Ruth required
three things. One, the right Boaz is a near
kinsman. He must have resources.
He has the means because he's a mighty man of wealth.
Chapter 2, verse one but not only has he to have the right
and the resources, but he must have the resolve he is willing.
He notices Ruth and from the beginning which he walked into
his field, he sought to protect her.
He sought to provide for her. He sought to offer her praise.
And on top of that, he gives her promises and the promises are in
the form of handfuls of purpose. See, the Lord Jesus doesn't
redeem us reluctantly. He's not a an unwilling
Redeemer. Remember what we read of him in
the Gospel of John and in John chapter 10.
He says this in verse 17. He makes this tremendous
statement. Listen to the word of God.
Therefore doth my Father love me because I lay down my life, that
I might take it again. There's sacrifice.
No man taketh it from me. It's not forced, but I lay it
down to myself, voluntary. Given.
I have power to lay it down, I have power to take it again.
This commandment have I received of my father.
He doesn't redeem reluctantly, he redeems willingly.
He has the right of Redeemer. He has the resources, but he is
also the resolve and he's saying to Ruth, I'm going to be your
Redeemer. And when Christ redeems, he
redeems fully. He redeems us to the uttermost.
Remember what we read in Hebrews Chapter 7 and verse 25.
He tells us this. Wherefore he is able also to
save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing He
ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Salvations by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ
alone, and the grace that saves alone produces A transformation.
And that grace has been commanded.
That grace is no one in the city.
That grace means that we're covered by a Redeemer.
That grace means we're remembered by God in eternity.
Are you converted tonight? Can we rejoice in your
conversion? Can we reveal your character?
Are you considered by others? Others can recount.
And will you be commended? This woman was commended by
Boaz. He was willing to pay the price
because love pays the price. But let me tell you this.
There's a greater Boaz, the Lord Jesus, and what we want to hear
at the day of our death when we close our eyes and enter glory
as well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy
of thy Lord. Are we good and faithful
servants? Will we hear the well done?
Will we be commanded because we've request to be covered?
We've humbled ourselves before. We have looked to Him to be our
Redeemer. That's the greatest commendation
of all. I pray that you'll humble
yourself before the Lord. I pray you'll long to be covered
by the precious blood and righteousness of Christ.
And I pray that you'll come to this wonderful Redeemer who has
the right, who has the resources, who has the resolve.
And he'll say tonight to you, I'm going to be your Redeemer.
And you're going to say, yes, Lord, you be my Redeemer.
May the Lord bless you this evening.
May they take these few thoughts and the gospel, this love story
in the dark, and write them on your heart.