Sermon Outline: “Lessons from Ruth”
Scripture Reference:
- Ruth 1:16 NIV But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.
I. Introduction
- Introduce the Book of Ruth as a beautiful narrative nestled between Judges and 1 Samuel, shining as a beacon of hope and redemption amidst Israel’s turbulent times.
II. Ruth’s Background: A Moabitess in Israel (Ruth 1:1-5)
Ruth 1:1-5 NIV In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. 2 The man’s name was Elimelek, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there. 3 Now Elimelek, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. 4 They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, 5 both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.
- Brief history of Moab and its complicated relationship with Israel. (see separate note)
- Ruth’s marriage into an Israelite family and the subsequent tragedies: death of her husband, brother-in-law, and father-in-law.
Tragedy Strikes: Ruth was originally from Moab and married into an Israelite family that had come to Moab because of a famine in Bethlehem. In time, Ruth’s husband, father-in-law, and brother-in-law all died, leaving her with her mother-in-law, Naomi, and sister-in-law, Orpah (Ruth 1:1-5).
III. Challenges Faced by Ruth
- Loyalty Tested (Ruth 1:6-18)
- Naomi’s decision to return to Bethlehem.
- Naomi’s encouragement for Ruth and Orpah to stay in Moab.
- Ruth’s heartfelt commitment: “Where you go, I will go; where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” (Ruth 1:16)
- Ruth 1:14-17 NIV 14 At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her. 15 “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.” 16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.”
- Life as a Foreign Widow in Bethlehem (Ruth 2:1-3)
- The challenges of being a widow and foreigner in ancient Israel.
- Ruth’s humble decision to glean in the fields.
Note: Being a foreign widow in ancient Israel posed a variety of challenges, both due to the status of widowhood and the additional complications of being an outsider. Here are some of the challenges faced by someone in such a position:
Economic Vulnerability: Widows, in general, were among the most economically vulnerable in ancient societies. They often lacked the primary means of financial support, especially in a culture where inheritance and property rights were typically passed through male lineage. Without a husband or grown sons to support them, many widows relied on the charity of extended family or their community.
Foreign Status: As a foreigner, Ruth would have been perceived as an outsider. This could lead to cultural misunderstandings, prejudices, and potential mistreatment. Being from Moab, given the aforementioned complex history between Israel and Moab, might have further complicated her situation.
Limited Legal Protection: While the Torah provided laws to protect widows, orphans, and foreigners (often grouped together due to their vulnerable statuses), enforcement of these laws and local customs might vary. Foreign widows could find themselves at a disadvantage, without family advocates to ensure their rights were upheld.
Cultural and Religious Differences: Adapting to a different culture and religious practices might have been challenging. While Ruth is portrayed as embracing the God and people of Israel, stating, “Your people will be my people and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16), she would still have had to navigate the nuances and differences in customs, festivals, and social expectations.
Marriage Prospects: Re-marriage could provide economic security for widows, but a foreign widow might have found it more difficult to find a new spouse. Though Ruth eventually married Boaz, their story is portrayed as exceptional, highlighting Boaz’s righteousness and Ruth’s loyalty and virtue.
Social Isolation: Widows could experience social isolation due to their loss, and this isolation might be compounded for a foreign widow without extended family or a familiar community for support.
Dependence on Kindness of Others: For sustenance, widows like Ruth often had to rely on gleaning, which is picking up leftover grain in fields after harvesters had passed through. This put them at the mercy of landowners’ kindness and generosity. Fortunately for Ruth, Boaz proved to be kind and provided for her needs (Ruth 2:8-12).
IV. Overcoming Challenges through Faith and Integrity
- Finding Favor with Boaz (Ruth 2:4-17)
- Ruth’s hard work, character, and Boaz’s acknowledgment: “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me.” (Ruth 2:11)
- The Kinsman-Redeemer (Ruth 3:1-13; Ruth 4:1-12)
- The biblical concept of a kinsman-redeemer.
- Boaz’s commitment to act with honor, first addressing the closer relative.
- Boaz’s eventual marriage to Ruth and their role in God’s redemptive plan.
The role of a “kinsman-redeemer” (often referred to as “go’el” in Hebrew) is a concept found in the Old Testament, particularly in the book of Ruth. The role is multifaceted and derives from several Mosaic laws meant to ensure the protection and continuation of family inheritance and name within the Israelite community. Here’s an overview of the responsibilities and roles of a kinsman-redeemer:
Redeeming Land: According to Leviticus 25:25, if an Israelite became impoverished and sold some of his property, his nearest relative was to come and redeem what his relative had sold. This helped ensure that land remained within the family, preserving the ancestral inheritance.
Marrying a Childless Widow: If a man died without leaving a son, his brother (or nearest relative) was to marry the widow and have a child with her. This child would then carry on the deceased man’s name, ensuring that the name did not die out in Israel (Deuteronomy 25:5-10). This practice is often called “levirate marriage” (from the Latin word “levir,” meaning “brother-in-law”).
Redeeming from Slavery: If an Israelite had to sell himself into slavery due to debt, his relative could redeem him (Leviticus 25:47-49). This provision ensured that family members could assist one another in times of extreme hardship.
Avenger of Blood: In cases of unintentional manslaughter, the “go’el” also had the role of an “avenger of blood.” It was his responsibility to bring the person responsible to justice, ensuring that the death was indeed accidental (Numbers 35:19-28). If the killing was intentional, the avenger had the right to kill the murderer.
In the book of Ruth, Boaz takes on the role of the kinsman-redeemer for Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi. Boaz redeems the land that belonged to Naomi’s late husband and marries Ruth, ensuring that the family line of her deceased husband, Mahlon, continues (Ruth 4).
V. Legacy and God’s Sovereignty (Ruth 4:13-17; Matthew 1:5)
- Ruth’s place in the lineage of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ.
- The overarching theme of God’s providence, even in seemingly ordinary events.
- Ruth 4:13-17 NIV 13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When he made love to her, the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. 14 The women said to Naomi: “Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! 15 He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.” 16 Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him. 17 The women living there said, “Naomi has a son!” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.
Note: The name “Obed” is of Hebrew origin and it means “servant” or “worshiper.” In the context of the Bible, Obed is most notably recognized as the son of Boaz and Ruth (Ruth 4:17) and the grandfather of King David. The story of Ruth leads to the birth of Obed, establishing the lineage that would later give rise to David and, according to the New Testament, eventually to Jesus Christ in the genealogy. The naming of Obed is significant in the narrative, as it ties together themes of faithfulness, redemption, and God’s providence.
VI. Takeaways from Ruth’s Story
- Unwavering Loyalty: Ruth’s story underscores the power of steadfast commitment, not just to individuals but to God. Our loyalty can have lasting impacts beyond what we can imagine.
- Faith amidst Uncertainty:Ruth’s decision to follow Naomi and the God of Israel was made without a clear picture of the future. We, too, are called to trust God even when the path ahead is unclear.
- God’s Redemptive Plan: No matter our background, God can weave our stories into His grand tapestry of redemption. Ruth, once a foreign widow, became a forebear of the Savior of the world.
VII. Conclusion
- Just as Ruth played an integral part in God’s redemptive narrative, each believer has a role in the unfolding story of God’s Kingdom.