Abounding Love

Preached by Ps Jude Blayney

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Abounding Love - The Story Of Ruth

Overview of the Story

Chapter 1

• Naomi and her family move to Moab
• Elimelech dies
• Sons get married
• Mahlon and Chilion her sons die
• Naomi plans to return to Bethlehem
• One daughter in-law stays behind
• One daughter in-law, Ruth comes with her

Chapter 2

• Ruth begins to glean the fields of Naomi's relative Boaz.
• Boaz name means "In him is Strength"
• He is very rich
• Boaz favors Ruth in gleaning and protection from the young men
• She is allowed to glean even while they reap the harvest

Ruth 3:6-10
6.So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law instructed her
7.And after Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was cheerful, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came softly, uncovered his feet and lay down.
8.Now it happened at midnight that the man was startled, and turned himself; and there, a woman was lying at his feet.
9.And he said, "Who are you?" So she answered, "I am Ruth your maidservant. Spread the hem of your garment over me for you are a close relative."
10.Then he said, "Blessed are you of the Lord, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after the young men, whether poor or rich.

Ruth 3:9
"I am Ruth your maidservant, spread the corner/the hem of your garment over me your maidservant for you are a close relative."

Why the Hem?

• The hem was a symbol of authority similar to putting on a badge of honor on a sleeve or stripes on a uniform.
• In that culture, stature and authority was represented in the hem.

Touching the Hem

• Having all that they have applied to your life.
• All their resources become available to you. They are at your disposal.
• You don't need to strive for them, they naturally flow to you.
• When you come under someone's authority, you REST in their ability and their willingness. You don't worry.

Matthew 9:18-26 - Understanding the woman with the issue of blood.

She wasn't just reaching out for the edge of the garment because it was closest to her making it easier, she was reaching out for all his authority to come into her life. She wanted him to act over her life. The power that left Jesus towards her wasn't just for healing for wholeness in all aspects.

Ruth 3:7-12
7.And after Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was cheerful, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came softly, uncovered his feet and lay down.
8.Now it happened at midnight that the man was startled, and turned himself; and there, a woman was lying at his feet.
9.And he said, "Who are you?" So she answered, "I am Ruth your maidservant. Spread the hem of your garment over me for you are a close relative."
10.Then he said, "Blessed are you of the Lord, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after the young men, whether poor or rich.
11.And now my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman.
12.Now it is true that I am a close relative; however there is a closer relative than I."

Catch 22

• The protection and authority of the hem could not be hers because Boaz wasn't her lord - i.e. she wasn't under his authority
  • To come under his authority, she needed to be redeemed
  • Redeeming = buying back that which you previously owned
  • The act of redemption changes lordship
• What needed redeeming?
  • The land that Naomi owned
  • Naomi's Family line which now exists through Ruth
  • Under Israelite culture, this could be done by the closest 'willing' relative.

Ruth 4:1-8
1.Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there; and behold the close relative of whom Boaz has spoken about came by.....
2.And he took 10 men of the elders of the city, ... they sat down
3.Then he said to the closest relative, "Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, sold the piece of land which belonged to our brother Elimelech.
4.And I thought to inform you saying, "Buy it back, .... , If you redeem it, redeem it, then tell me, that I may know ... for I am the next after you." And he said "I will redeem it."
5.Then Boaz said, "On the day you buy the field, .. You must also buy it from Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead to perpetuate the name...
6.And the close relative said, " I cannot redeem it for myself lest I ruin my inheritance. You redeem it...
7.Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging, to confirm anything; one man took off his sandal and gave it to the other...
8. .... So he took off his sandal.

Some insights

• The closest relative and ten elders = the law
• Boaz, In Him is strength = Grace
• The law wouldn't allow the redemption because it would ruin his stand, his inheritance
  • Marrying a non Israelite could cause one to loose their reputation or ultimately even their inheritance.
• Boaz, like Jesus, lowered himself so that we could be lifted. Philippians 2 :5-7
• A Love story
  • Displays the love of God for us in that while we were separated from God, He sent his son on our behalf

Romans 5:20 Moreover the law entered that the offence might abound. But where sin bounded grace abounded much more.

• Where separation, rejection, uselessness, insecurity, hopelessness, fear, discouragement, condemnation, lack of work, poverty, hatred, lack of acceptance, worthlessness, disappointment, lust, curses, gossip, false accusations, failure, lack of trust, spite, greed bound toward me..
• Grace - charis - favor

  • ABOUNDS MORE