Ruth 4: The eternal signifance of kindness

Let me tell you the story of a girl whose early life was marked with tragedy, who changed the course of history, and who is a testimony to the redeeming love of God. Her name is Kim Phuc.
  

On June 8th 1972, during the Vietnamese War, a south Vietnamese pilot decided to drop a napalm bomb on the village of Trang Bang. The bomb killed two of nine year old Kim Phuc's cousins, tore her clothes off, and severely burned her skin.
   

An Associated Press photographer caught the image of the villagers fleeing in terror. At the centre of the picture was a naked and screaming Kim Phuc. That photograph became an iconic image which was awarded a Pulitzer Prize and contributed towards the American's decision to pull out of Vietnam.
   

Kim Phuc continued to grow up in Vietnam and decided that she would like to study medicine. However, the communist government thought that she was too valuable an asset to have hidden away and used her for propaganda purposes. In 1982 the most significant moment of her life occurred, she placed her life in the redeeming hands of Jesus. Four years later she was given permission to study in Cuba. There she met and married another Christian.
    

In 1992 the couple set out for their honeymoon in Moscow. While on a stopover in Newfoundland, Canada, they left the plane, approached the authorities and asked for political asylum. They are now Canadian citizens with two children.
   

She has established the Kim Phuc foundation with the aim of providing medical and psychological assistance to child victims of war. She has spoken about how compassion and love helped heal her. She has publicly forgiven those responsible for the attack on her village.
    

Now let me tell you of another girl whose early life was marked with tragedy, who changed the course of history, and who is a testimony to the redeeming love of God. Her name is Ruth.

 

1. God calls us to costly love (1-12)

  

Ruth was from Moab, her people were enemies of God's people. Ruth becomes a widow, in a society where widows were amongst the most vulnerable. Ruth watches her mother in law's faith and takes refuge under the shadow of God's wings. Ruth shows extra-ordinary kindness to Naomi, going with her to Bethlehem and seeking to provide for her needs. Ruth reflects the kindness of God.

  

Ruth approached Boaz and in effect said, 'marry me!' Boaz recognises that this is an act of kindness. She hadn't run after younger men but had chosen him, a relative of Naomi's husband. Under the laws of Moses this would mean that Naomi would receive descendants and be provided for.

   

But there is a problem. There is a closer male relative than Boaz, who has priority for being a kinsman redeemer. So Boaz goes to city gate, which served as a town hall and courthouse, where the elders settled cases. Boaz has a plan based on the lack of generosity of this other relative.

   

When Boaz mentions the field Naomi has to sell the relative declares, 'I will redeem it'. But then Boaz ties Ruth into the transaction. Under the provisions of the law of Moses the first son born to the relative and Ruth would be considered to be the son of Ruth's dead husband. The whole thing could unsettle the provisions the man has made for his family.
   

On one hand Ruth made sacrifices to help Naomi, on the other hand the near relative is not willing to help her if it will cost him and his family. Are we willing to make sacrifices to show our love to each other? We are people whose God sent his Son into a world of rebellion, and whose Son gave his life as a ransom for many. We have benefited from a love that was willing to pay a great price for us. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers (Galatians 6:10).

2. God wants to use us as instruments of his kindness (13-17)

   

'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.' Again we see the hidden hand of God. The writer isn't content to simply say that Ruth became pregnant, it was God who enabled her. One day we will that God has been far more active in our lives than we ever realised. In him we live, move and have our being (Acts 17:28).

   

The women said to Naomi: 'Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer ... He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age.'

    

The story began with death and finishes with life. Naomi returned to Bethlehem bitter and empty but God has shown her great kindness. He has shown her love through the person of Ruth. He has shown her love through the person of Boaz. Now in this child, who is legally her descendant, she can look forward to her old age knowing that he will take care of her. God uses people as instruments of his kindness. May each of us seek to be instruments in our Saviour's hands!
  

I love the way one version translates verse 16: 'then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse' (ESV).
  

3. Our ordinary lives have extra-ordinary significance (18-22)

   

The book of Ruth is a lovely story involving a relative helping produce a descendant for someone who is deceased, under the provisions of the Old Testament law. With Ruth, Boaz continues the line from Elimelech. God has been kind to both the living and the dead!

  

Another story of a widow having a child with a relative of her deceased husband is found in the book of Genesis. That is the story of Tamar and Judah (mentioned in verse 12). That story is as grotesque as this is beautiful. Tamar dressed up as a prostitute to trick her father-in-law into sleeping with her. That union produced Perez.
   

The book of Ruth ends with a genealogy beginning with Perez. God can incorporate the sinful acts of his people into bringing about his purposes. That family line stretches to the great king of the Old Testament, King David. Matthew will open up his gospel with a genealogy that includes Judah and Tamar, the prostitute Rahab who was the mother of Boaz, Ruth the great grandmother of David, and ends with our great kinsman-redeemer Jesus Christ.

 

Conclusion

  

As nine year old Kim Phuc fled from her burning village in Vietnam could she ever have imagined the life that God had laid out before her? Could she have known that her courage, faith and forgiveness would be an inspiration to millions?

   

As Naomi returned to Bethlehem, empty and bitter, had she any idea how kind God would be to her? Could she grasp the fact that he is utterly trustworthy and would provide her with far more than her daily bread?

   

As Ruth journeyed, out of kindness to her mother in law, to the land of her people's enemy, could she ever have dreamt of how kind God would be to her? As she nursed her precious son, had she any idea how significant her descendants would be in bringing about God's plan of salvation?
  

God has plans for us as a church and he has plans for us as individual followers of Jesus. God has prepared works in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). He invites us to imitate the kindness we see in the book of Ruth. His kindness and his people's kindness. This kindness is full of significance. It may seem ordinary now but one day we will see the eternal value of all that we do in and through the love of God, and we will enjoy the eternal reward that such acts bring.
  

So let us now pray that God would show us how we can know God's love, show God's love, and share God's love.

Ruth 3: 'The kindness of God shown through his people'

A Christian worker who ministers to down and outs in Chicago came across a prostitute who was in dire straights. This woman was homeless, sick, and unable to buy food for her two year old daughter.  He asked her if she had ever thought of going to a church for help.  She looked at him with shock.  'Church!' 'Why would I go there?  I was already feeling terrible about myself.  They'd just make me feel worse.'

That story is tragic because our God is a forgiving God who gave his own son so that guilty people like us can experience forgiveness.  That story is tragic because our God is a kind God who longs to bring desperate people like us under the shelter of his wings.  That story is tragic because God longs to use people like us as the channel through which he helps those in need.  Yet no church had convinced that prostitute of these truths.  

We have already seen God's kindness to Naomi in giving her Ruth; God's kindness to Ruth in bringing her to the field of Boaz; and we will see God's kindness as Ruth and Boaz are given to each other.

1.  Naomi and the quest for rest (1-4)

One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided ...”  Apparently, in the original Hebrew Naomi says, 'I must find rest for you.'  Rest is a recurring theme in this book.  These chapters could be described as a quest for rest.

Indeed rest is a recurring theme in the Bible.  In the book of Ruth rest is associated with economic security.  In Psalm 95 rest is linked to the Old Testament promised land.  The author of Hebrews quotes that psalm and says that there is a rest that still awaits us on our journey towards heaven.  Jesus said, 'come onto me all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest.'  The Book of Revelation says, those who die in The Lord are blessed because they will rest from their labours.

The rest that we need is not simply a quite Sunday afternoon stretched out on the couch.  Like Ruth we can depend on the God who gives us our daily bread.  Those who are striving to be respectable, who want to be hailed as good people, who think that they can make up for the evil we have done, who imagine they can earn their way to heaven can cast aside the heavy burden of self-righteousness and accept Jesus' offer of rest.  Those who are terminally ill, and we are all in decaying bodies that are destined for the grave, can know the peace that we are on our way to eternal rest.

The prostitute we mentioned in our opening illustration needs to experience God's rest - would it not be wonderful if God's people came to her aid?  The proud church goer needs to told of Jesus' offer so rest - wouldn't it be wonderful if we could learn to simply admit our need and trust God for the forgiveness which kindly offers to all?  A dying world needs to know about an eternal heaven and that Jesus is the one who can take them there.

2.  Ruth invites Boaz to be the answer to his prayer (5-9)

In God's kindness he offers people rest.  In God's kindness he uses people to bless others.

“I will do whatever you say,” Ruth answered.  She goes down to the threshing floor, uncovers Boaz feet and lay down.  He wakes startled and she explains, "I am your servant Ruth ... Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family.”

What is a kinsman/guardian redeemer?  It is described in one Bible Dictionary as a 'Male relative who, according to various laws found in the Pentateuch (first five books of the Old Testament) had the privilege or responsibility to act for a relative who was in trouble, danger, or need of vindication' (Baker).

So it is after the barley harvest.  How are Naomi and Ruth going to survive now?  By another provision in God's law.  Did God have Naomi and Ruth, along with thousands of other people, specifically in mind when he gave Moses the laws relating to the kinsman-redeemer?  Of course he did, he is omniscient.  Before they came into being he knew the circumstances they would face and he made provision.  Before we came into being he knew the circumstances we will face and he promises us that we need not be afraid.

What does Ruth mean when she asks Boaz to spread his wings over her?  Well there is nothing seedy going on here.  She is not propositioning sex.  But what she is saying does have deliberate ambiguity to it.  In Hebrew this phrase could mean 'marry me' (she is not backwards about going forwards).  Spread the corner of your garment over me is like asking for an engagement ring to be placed on her (Tinker).

But the word for garment is also the same word used in chapter 2 for wings.  Do you remember when Boaz met Ruth he prayed, 'May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge?'  'You know when you were moved by compassion and prayed that God would provide me with rest?'  'Why don't you become the answer to that prayer by being my kinsman-redeemer?'

A kind God places compassion and mercy in a kind man's heart, causes him to pray, and then offers him the joy of being the answer to his own prayers.  May God put compassion in our hearts that would cause us to pray, and maybe even move us to be the answer to those very prayers.

3.  Boaz reflects God's kindness (10-18)

Boaz is struck by Ruth's kindness.  She could have gone to Moab and let Naomi fend for herself.  She could have chosen to pursue a younger more attractive man than Boaz.

Undoubtedly she admired the godly character of Boaz.  Character is more essential to happy marriage than looks.  But there is another reason she chose Boaz; she chose him out of kindness to Naomi.  Another provision in the Law of Moses stated that the first male the kinsman fathered would be considered as the child of the widow's dead husband.  In other words through Boaz, Ruth could produce a descendant for Naomi. Remember when Naomi said that God had not stopped showing kindness to the living and the dead - that is because through Boaz God will provide descendants for the deceased Elimelek and Mahlon.

But Boaz points out that there is a problem.  There is a male relative closer than he.  That man has priority in the duty and privilege of being kinsman- redeemer.  Like a suspense novel we will have to wait until the last scene to see how things will work out for Ruth and Boaz.

Boaz then acts with care towards Ruth by ensuring that no gossiper is given the impression that anything seedy happened between the two of them that night.  He also shows kindness by sending six measures of wheat home for Naomi.  Naomi had returned to Bethlehem declaring that she was empty.  Through Boaz she is finding rest, economic security.  God's kindness is being shown through the actions of his people.

Conclusion: Jesus our kinsman-redeemer

Desperate people like Ruth and Naomi find refuge under the wings of the almighty.  God is going to use his man to bring them rest.  Wouldn't it be great to have such a kinsman-redeemer!  Well, we do.

Jesus is our kinsman-redeemer.  He is willing to redeem that prostitute in Chicago, whose life is entangled in desperate evil and hopeless poverty.  He paid an ransom of infinite value as he shed his blood to free us from our guilt.  He is willing to redeem proud church-goers from their arrogant self-righteousness.  We can rest from the tyranny of trying to fool ourselves into thinking that we could ever be good enough for a perfectly pure and holy God.  He has redeemed us from death - so as we see our bodies decay and the passing of time drags us unceasingly towards a grave we need not fear for we are heading towards our eternal rest.

God is kind.  He shows his kindness through his people.  He shows his ultimate kindness through the person of his Son.

Ruth 2: God is always for us

In 2001 I was struggling badly with my mental health.  I was extremely anxious.  A good friend suggested that I go to London to visit him and talk about it.  

I only visited the centre of the city one day of that short stay.  As I travelled into the city centre I said to God, 'Lord, I would really love to see All Souls, Langham Place (the church where the great preacher John Stott used to be based) and I would love to see my friend Elaine (who lives in London).  But I think it would be silly to ask you for these things given that I have not bothered getting a map and I should have enquired about Elaine's number before coming to England.'

Every church that I saw I looked to see if it was All Souls (a pretty futile task given the size of London). As I looked around the city I ended up in a record shop at the bottom of Regent's Street, where a wave of anxiety started to overtake me.  I hurried up the Street distressed and I decided that I would go to the next Tube station and head back to my friend's place.  At the top of that street, the last church that I would see before getting the Tube, was All Souls, Langham Place.  

After I had a look at the church I went for my Tube.  I had to change trains at one stage.  As I stood waiting for the second train I recognised a familiar face a few feet away to my left.  There was Elaine amongst all the other commuters.

I am not saying that a sceptic couldn't write off such happenings as a mere coincidence.  Such a story, on its own, doesn't prove the existence of God.  But if we accept the reality of God on the basis of all the other evidences, and we believe that this God is intimately involved in his world, then I think that we can say that the events of that day were a visible picture of providence.

'Providence is normally defined in Christian theology as the  unceasing activity of the Creator whereby, in overflowing bounty and goodwill, he upholds his creatures in ordered existence, guides and governs all events, circumstances and free acts of angels and men, and directs everything to its appointed goal, for his own glory' (New Bible Dictionary).  This chapter of Ruth is a great example of visible providence.  I use the term 'visible' providence because it is easy to not see God's ordering of things.

But before we make some comments about providence let us observe two godly people - Ruth and Boaz.

1.  Ruth - a woman of noble character

In the original Hebrew Old Testament the books of the Bible were in a different order than they are found in our Bibles.  There were three sections: the law, the prophets and the writings.  The book of Ruth was found in the writings, straight after the book of Proverbs.  Many Bible commentators see significance in this.  Proverbs ends with a description of a virtuous woman/a wife of noble character.  The book of Ruth gives us a great example of such a woman.

The woman in Proverbs is hard working; in verse seven we see that Ruth worked from early morning picking up the scrapes of barley that had been missed or dropped.  This was not easy work.  It was a provision for those in need.  Perhaps if she as around today she would have gone out and sold The Big Issue.   The woman in Proverbs reaches out to those in need; in verse eleven we read of how Ruth cared for her mother-in-law since the death of her husband.  Godly people have always been moved by the plight of others. The woman in Proverbs fears The Lord; in verse twelve we read that Ruth has taken refuge under God's wings.  

Some people emerge from immense trials with strong and gentle character.  Ruth was one of those people.  God's hand had been forming and shaping her.  She is a woman to be admired.  Proverbs tells us that charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears The Lord is to be praised.

Do you know any twenty-first century Ruths?  More importantly do you want God to form in you a character like hers?

2.  Boaz: a man of overflowing faith

What can we say about Boaz?

He was a worthy man (1) or a man of standing.  We see him greet his reapers with a blessing (4).  This is not a perfunctory 'how ya?', 'this is a sincere blessing of a man who knows his God' (Tinker).  He seeks to ensure Ruth's protection (8-9); it could be dangerous for a young woman to glean in the fields.  He is not a bigot; Ruth is a Moabite and there was bad blood between Israel and Moab.  He prays that Ruth's kindness to Naomi would be repaired by God, sees that her thirst is quenched, invites her to eat with himself and his men, and he acts to ensure her future safety.

The thing that impresses me most about Boaz is that he goes so far beyond his duty.  The law required that he would let a widow and foreigner like Ruth glean in his field.  He does so much more.  His religion is not limited to strict obligation.  His faith overflows.  He is not simply a man who adheres to the letter of the law but a person who looks to the heart of the law.  Like Ruth, he is other-person centred.  Like God, he is kind.

Are we stingy?  Do we only do what we think we have to do?  Do we serve God and others reluctantly?  That is not a heart that is overflowing with the love of God.  Do you know any twenty-first century Boazs?  More importantly do you want God to form in you a character like his?

The Bible tells us to imitate those who reflect the character of Christ.  Ruth and Boaz would be among the ancestors of Jesus and they reflect something of their descendant.  Jesus declared that a bruised reed he would not break and a smouldering wick he would not snuff out.  Jesus was moved by the practical needs of people, on one occasion feeding a crowd of five thousand men plus women and children.  Ruth found refuge under God's wings; Jesus longs for people to find similar safety in him.  Do you remember those touching words of Jesus over the stubborn people of Jerusalem?  ‘How I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.’

3. Naomi: a woman who recognises the providence of God

Look at verse 3; Ruth goes to a field which 'as it turned out' belonged to Boaz.  Of all the fields in Bethlehem she happened to walk into a field that belonged to a kind, generous, relative of Naomi.  Coincidence?  I don't think so.  This is evidence of God's providence.

There are lots of evidence for God's hand at work in this book.  Naomi and Ruth happened to arrive in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning; just the right time for a helpless widow to glean for food.  That is not a coincidence, that is providence.  The Law of Moses allowed for foreigners and widows to glean in the fields.  'Do you not think that when he instituted such laws of gleaning ... that he didn’t specifically have Ruth in mind, as well as thousands of other people? Of course he did, he is omniscient' (Tinker).

Naomi had turned back to God and God works all things together for the good of those who love him.  At the beginning of this chapter she is bitter and can't see God's goodness towards her.  But God had already being working in her favour.  She had returned home with Ruth - a person who Naomi will later say was worth more than seven sons to her.  

At the end of the chapter Naomi has become aware of the hand of God in her life.  She speaks of the God who not forsaken the living or the dead (20).  Do you think things happen to you simply by chance?  Don't forget the providence of God!  Perhaps God has brought you here this morning so that he could teach you a lesson from the book of Ruth or so that you could speak a word of kindness to someone here who is struggling.  Do you see his hand at work?  Those who are in a living relationship with God through Christ can often look back and see how God used events and people, providentially, to bring them into to faith.  Perhaps, a few years ago, you would never have been in church on a Sunday morning - is God providentially drawing you to himself?

Conclusion:  God is always good to his people

One of the key phrases of this little book is found in this chapter.  Boaz speaks to Ruth of 'the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.’   'Like a mother hen gathering her chicks under the protection of her wings to shield them from danger, so God gathers this bereaved, frightened, foreigner to himself' (Tinker).

That kind and loving God is reflected in the character of Ruth and Boaz, and perfectly in the character of their descendant Jesus.  That kind God is the God of providence (seen and unseen hand), who works all things for the good of those who love him (this little book has been described as being a commentary upon that truth).

God works all things together for the good of those who love him.  That means that if you are born again God is always for you.  No good thing does he withhold us.  This is not a promise that all things will be easy - Jesus taught that the fruitful would be pruned.  Our sin may cause him to be displeased with us, but we will never forfeit his kindness.  He may discipline us so that we would repent, but there will never be any condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  He may let us pass through tribulation and trial but nothing will ever separate us from his love.  

He works all things together for the good of those who love him which is to be conformed to the likeness of Christ.  God's goal for our lives is not our comfort but our character.  He will move heaven and earth to produce the likeness of Jesus in us.  Take seriously the challenge to become twenty-first century Ruth and Boazs as they reflect the person of our Saviour.  For the more we cooperate with the providential purpose of God, aimed at transforming our character, the greater will be our everlasting rejoicing in our kind and gracious God.

When God brings good out of our bad decisions (Ruth 1)

Do you have regrets? Are you living with the consequences of some bad decisions? Maybe you ignored the wise counsel of others when it came to choosing where to live.  Perhaps you feel that you are in a career that doesn't suit you.  Smoking, lack of exercise or over-eating has left you with health problems.  You have said things that you wish you could take back.  You were insensitive towards someone.  You've burned your bridges.  You have done some things that are shameful to remember.  You might think that you married the wrong person.  You may have invested poorly during the Celtic Tiger.  What are your regrets?

Some of the things that we have to live with we're chosen innocently.  We thought we were doing the right thing but could not foresee the consequences.  Other things that we have to live with we're done sinfully.  We knew that is was wrong to shout at him like that.  He shouldn't have been driving at that speed, and on his phone as well.  She was compromising when she went that far with her boyfriend.

This morning we are going to see that God is willing to redeem our past. We may be living with the consequences of bad choices but God can still do beautiful things with our future.  Our lives may be in a mess but he can straighten things out.  Not only is he willing to bring good out of the innocent choices we have made; he is willing to bring good from the sinful choices we have made.  We will see this as we look at Ruth 1.

Elimelech: Living with the consequences of godless decision-making (1-5)

This story is set in the days when the Judges ruled.  You can read all about that time in the book of Judges.  Judges is a shocking time.  There was a downward spiral of rebellion and immorality.  Yet our gracious God kept coming to the aid of his wicked people when they turned back and cried out to him.  The last line of Judges sums up the attitude of God's people.  'Everyone did as they saw fit.'

At that time there was a famine in the land.  Now this nation to which Elimelech and his family belonged was unique.  At Mount Sinai God had entered into a covenant with these people.  It was a covenant that was in place until the coming of Jesus.  These people were special to God.  Their special status included blessings for obedience and curses for persistent disobedience.  They had been warned that if they rebelled and turned to other gods then the one true God would send famine.  It may be that the famine in that land was such a judgement.  What the people needed to do was to turn back to God, not flee to Moab.

Just a word of warning before we press on.  This Sinai covenant was unique to the people of Israel and only in place until the coming of Christ.  God dealt with them in a special way.  The blessings and curses of this covenant weren't addressed to other nations.  So we have no ground for assuming that other famines in other countries, or other disasters in other places, are direct acts of judgement.  Indeed, many Christian spokespeople have embarrassed the cause of the faith by speculating beyond what has been revealed in the Bible.

Anyway, back to the story. 

There is irony in the names that are used here.  Bethlehem means 'house of bread' but there is no bread available there.  So what does Elimelech do? He takes his family and heads off to Moab. Moab was to the east, on the other side of the Dead Sea.  Moab was known for its idolatry and immorality.  Moab was a long standing enemy of God's people.  God's people had been told not to have dealings with Moab.  Moving to Moab was not a move designed to please God.  This was not a God-honouring decision.  The name Elimelech means 'my God is king' but this man is not living as if God is his king.

They arrive in Moab intending to stay for just a short while.  But they remain there.  Indeed, they stay there for ten years.  So settled are they in Moab that their two sons marry Moabite women.  That too was not a God-honouring decision.

Moab wasn't mentioned among the list of nations that they were not to marry from.  But the principle of God's law was clear.  They were not to give their sons or daughters in marriage to people from the surrounding nations for they would turn them away from God to serve other gods (Deuteronomy 7:3-4).  John Piper explains, 'The point was not to protect racial purity.  The point was to protect religious purity ... The issue is not colour mixing, or customs mixing, or clan identity.  The issue is: will there be one common allegiance to the true God in this marriage or will there be divided affections? The prohibition in God's Word is not against interracial marriage but against marriage between the true Israel, the church (from every people tribe and nation), and those who are not a part of the true Israel.'

So while it was wrong for Kilion to marry Ruth because she pagan, it was not wrong for Boaz to marry her despite the fact that she was a Moabite; for Boaz marries her after she had come to faith in the one true and living God.

Elimelech had taken matters into his own hands.  He had made decisions that were not God-honouring.  These decisions did not result in the deliverance he had hoped for.  He dies, and so do his sons.  Mahlon and Kilion mean 'sickness' and 'failing', perhaps they had always suffered ill-health.  Now Naomi is left to pick up the pieces.  Not only is she heart-broken but in a society dependant on men she faces economic ruin.  She is too old to marry, has no sons and has no prospects.

Naomi: A woman who turns around (6-13)

'When she heard in Moab that The Lord had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, Naomi and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home ...' Apparently, in the original Hebrew the word translated return or repent occurs eleven times in this chapter.  It seems that Naomi's repentance is more than simply returning back to Bethlehem, she is turning back to God.

We see some signs of true faith in Naomi's words. 

She tries to persuade Orpah and Ruth to stay behind in Moab declaring, 'may The Lord show kindness to you, as you have shown to your dead and to me'. The kindness of God is one of the central themes of this book.

She recognises the full sovereignty of God.  'It is more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord's hand has gone out against me' (13).  It may trouble us that our loving God allows bad things happen to people, but there would be no real comfort if God was not in control.  Isaiah 45:7, 'I form light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I The Lord do all these things.' The author Jerry Bridges writes, 'if there is a single event in all the universe that can occur outside God's sovereign control then we cannot trust him.'

She uses the term the LORD (capitals in our translations), this is a translation for Yahweh/Jehovah.  Yahweh is God's covenant name.  It is like the 'like the name of a caring husband, a name which speaks of a love which will not let go, a love which has his people’s long term interests at heart, the tough love of a mother for her children who will sometimes insist on the hard medicine when the voice of reason is spurned.'

Later in this chapter she will call God 'the Almighty'. Bible commentator Alec Motyer says that this describes ‘the God who is at his best when man is at his worst’.

Ruth: A Woman who is truly converted (14-19)

Orpah is given the option but decides to stay in Moab.  She stays with what she is familiar with.  God invites us, but he never forces us to follow him.  Melvin Tinker says that many people are like Orpah.  'There is an affection towards God and the Lord Jesus, a mild attraction - as Orpah had towards Naomi and no doubt her religion. There may even be the occasional church attendance. But when all is said and done - the attractions of comfort in this life far outweigh the promises of the next life.  And for a minister of the Gospel there is nothing as heartbreaking as that - to see people walk away from the only hope they have of eternal life.  And if you are in that position, please think again - your soul is at stake.'

Orpah makes a decision for comfort.  Ruth makes a decision for love.  "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. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me." This is not just her commitment to Naomi, this is commitment to Naomi's God.  This is serious.  This is like the 'for better or worse' language of marriage.    This is personal conversion.  Through the quite gentle witness of Naomi, Ruth has come to know the true and living God.

While walking away from God may lead you towards a life of comfort, walking towards God brings many challenges.  For Ruth to go with Naomi to Israel was a massive risk.  Remember the animosity that existed between the Moabites and the Israelites.  It would have been much easier for Ruth to get a husband in Moab than Israel (remember that this was a time when women were dependent on men).  For Ruth, commitment to Naomi's God was wrapped up with commitment to her mother-in-law (a relationship with the God of kindness involves showing kindness to his people). 

Conclusion (20-22)

One preacher says that the book of Ruth is like a commentary on Romans 8:28, 'and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him ...' But does 'all things' include the mistakes we make?

Well, on one hand, Galatians tells us that we reap what we sow.  Elimelech's godless decision-making was costly.  Naomi went away full and came back empty.  The people of Bethlehem asked, 'is this Naomi?'  Ten painful years had taken their toll on her appearance.  But her son's godless decision to marry a non-believing woman has given her Ruth.  Ruth who will prove better to Naomi than seven sons (4:15).  If God can bring good out of the godless decisions people make, then surely he can redeem those decisions that were made innocently but seem to be mistakes.

So remember those regrets that we talked about at the beginning of the sermon? Naomi arrived home with regrets.  At this stage in the story her life is still bitter.  But she has turned back to God and he is about to make things better for her.  Whatever bitter circumstances we are enduring we can gather hope as we look forward.  God will sort the mess out.  It might not be today, it might not be tomorrow, it might not even be during this lifetime, but the best has yet to be.  And remember that the good God is working towards is making us more like Jesus.  For now he might do that in the midst of the mess.  If you want a comfortable life the stay in Moab with Orpah.

We all like sheep have gone astray, each one turned to his own way.  But The Lord has laid on Jesus the iniquity of us all. We have all gone to Moab. Our God delights to forgive.  He does so for the sake of his Son.  Naomi went astray, but turned back, and will soon experience how kind our God is.  Ruth was a Moabite, a woman from an idolatrous and immoral people, but with his blood Jesus has purchased people from every tribe, language, people and nation (Rev. 5:9).  And this redeeming God can bring beauty out of ashes, can replace the years that the locusts have eaten, and can bring wonderful things out of the messes that we have found ourselves in.