Tuesday, October 26, 2010
God Is At Work - The Story of Ruth Part III - A Strange Proposal, Part 31 of 31
TEXT: "'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. Now it is true that I am your near kinsman; however, there is a kinsman nearer than I. Stay this night, and in the morning it shall be that if he will perform the duty of a near kinsman for you—good; let him do it. But if he does not want to perform the duty for you, then I will perform the duty for you, as the Lord lives! Lie down until morning.' So Ruth lay at his feet until morning, and she arose before one could recognize another. Then Boaz said, 'Do not let it be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.' Also he said, 'Bring the shawl that is on you and hold it.' And when she held it, he measured six ephahs of barley, and laid it on her. Then she went into the city. So when she came to her mother-in-law, Naomi said, 'Is that you, my daughter?' Then Ruth told her all that the man had done for her. And she said, 'These six ephahs of barley he gave me; for he said to me, 'Do not go empty-handed to your mother-in-law.' Then Naomi said, 'Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day' " (Ruth 3:11-18).
IDEA: Gifts accomplish many purposes that go beyond words.
PURPOSE: To help listeners understand that much is said by what is not said.
Why do people give gifts to each other?
In the story of Ruth, Boaz gives Ruth a gift to take to Naomi, her mother-in-law.
He gives Ruth six measures of barley (weighing anywhere between 58 and 95 pounds) to carry back up from low-lying fields up a steep hill to Bethlehem.
What does this show you about Ruth?
When did Boaz give this gift to Naomi?
I. Boaz wanted to provide a cover for Ruth going home from the threshing floor early in the morning.
II. Boaz also had an obligation as a kin to Naomi and her dead husband, Elimelech. Perhaps his gift acknowledged this.
III. Boaz may be expressing appreciation to Naomi for proposing the scheme that allowed Ruth to propose marriage to him.
Naomi was the mastermind behind the entire plot.
The gift assures her that she has gotten the right man to do the right thing.
IV. Boaz may have sent this gift to Naomi as a sign of good faith to carry through on his promise to gain the right to marry Ruth – or to see to it that the primary kinsman-redeemer will marry her.
It might also be a down payment on the mohar, which the groom gave at the time of betrothal as a promise to prepare for the wedding.
Naomi's response (Ruth 3:18) indicates that this is how she accepted it and that is why she sits back and watches how "the matter will turn out."
Conclusion:
James 1:10 tells us about God's gifts to us. What do we make of them?
