INTRODUCTION: As the story of Ruth comes to a close, we see the great blessings of the Lord on both her and Naomi. Naomi will find blessing through her daughter-in-law. Ruth will find blessing through Boaz. He (a picture of Christ) is a kinsman of Naomi (a picture of Israel). He redeems Ruth (a type of Gentile believers). Naomi, who lost the blessing, is brought back into a time of blessing through the union of Boaz and Ruth.
- RUTH LIES DOWN AT THE FEET OF BOAZ (Ruth 3:1-7)
- The Instructions of Naomi (Ruth 3:1-4)
- She seeks rest for Ruth (Ruth 3:1; Ruth 1:9; Isaiah 11:10).
- Tonight Boaz will be winnowing barley (Ruth 3:2).
- Prepare yourself for this night (Ruth 3:3). Like believers today, she is to make herself ready and then to wait (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10).
- When he lieth down, go lie at his feet (Ruth 3:4).
- Ruth is to mark the place where Boaz would lie down.
- She is to go in and uncover his feet.
- She is to lie down at his feet.
- She is to receive instruction while at his feet (Luke 10:39).
- The Obedience of Ruth (Ruth 3:5-7)
- She speaks words of submission (Ruth 3:5).
- She performs acts of obedience (Ruth 3:6-7; 1 John 3:18; James 2:15-16)
- BOAZ PROMISES TO DO HIS PART FOR RUTH (Ruth 3:8-13)
- Boaz Discovers Ruth (Ruth 3:8-9).
- Boaz awakes and is frightened by the woman at his feet (Ruth 3:8).
- Ruth identifies herself and her purpose (Ruth 3:9).
- Boaz Accepts Ruths Proposal (Ruth 3:10-11).
- Boaz praises Ruth for her kindness (Ruth 3:10).
- He promises to do for her as she requested (Ruth 3:11).
- He speaks of her reputation as a virtuous woman (Ruth 3:11; Proverbs 31:10-31).
- Boaz Must Deal with a Nearer Kinsman (Ruth 3:12-13).
- There is a kinsman nearer than Boaz (Ruth 3:12).
- He must be given his chance to do the part of a kinsman (Ruth 3:13).
- RUTH RETURNS TO NAOMI TO WAIT (Ruth 3:14-18)
- Ruth Rises Early in the Morning (Ruth 3:14).
- She lies at his feet until the morning.
- She rises up before one could know another.
- Boaz gives instructions to keep her visit a secret.
- Boaz Sends Ruth Home with Barley (Ruth 3:15).
- Ruth Tells Her Story to Naomi (Ruth 3:16-17).
- Ruth reports to Naomi all that transpired (Ruth 3:16-17).
- Note: Naomi had returned home empty (Ruth 1:21), but Ruth is not allowed to return to Naomi empty (Ruth 3:17).
- Ruth Must Wait to See What Happens (Ruth 3:18).
- Naomi tells Ruth to sit still until she receives word from Boaz.
- Naomi tells how he will not rest until he finishes this day (Luke 23:43).
- ONE KINSMAN REFUSES TO REDEEM RUTH (Ruth 4:1-8)
- Boaz Gathers Ten Men at the City Gate (Ruth 4:1-2).
- Boaz goes to the gate of the city and sits down (Ruth 4:1). Note: The city gate is a place where judgments are made (Genesis 19:1).
- The nearer kinsman passes by, and Boaz requests a meeting (Ruth 4:1).
- Boaz gathers ten men of the elders to witness the meeting (Ruth 4:2).
- Boaz Allows the Kinsman to Redeem the Land (Ruth 4:3-4).
- Boaz informs the kinsman that Naomi is selling a parcel of land (Ruth 4:3).
- He tells the nearer kinsman that he can buy it (Ruth 4:4).
- The nearer kinsman agrees to purchase the parcel of land (Ruth 4:4).
- Boaz Explains That Ruth Is Included (Ruth 4:5).
- The Kinsman Passes the Redemption to Boaz (Ruth 4:6-8).
- He would have to share his inheritance with his present sons (Ruth 4:6).
- He gives up his right and responsibility by plucking off his shoe (Ruth 4:7-8; similar to Deuteronomy 25:7-10).
- BOAZ REDEEMS RUTH AS HIS WIFE (Ruth 4:9-12)
- Boaz Redeems the Inheritance of Elimelech (Ruth 4:9-10).
- Boaz takes on the responsibility before witnesses (Ruth 4:9).
- Boaz purchases Ruth to be his wife (Ruth 4:10). Note: Compare this to Christ purchasing the believer by His death on the cross (Acts 20:28).
- Boaz promises to raise up the inheritance of the dead (Ruth 4:10).
- Boaz Receives the Blessing of the People (Ruth 4:11-12); Ruth compared to:
- Rachel and Leah (Ruth 4:11)
- Tamar (Ruth 4:12)
- RUTH BEARS A SON TO BOAZ (Ruth 4:13-17)
- Ruth Has a Son by Boaz (Ruth 4:13).
- Naomi Receives a Blessing from the Women (Ruth 4:14-15).
- The name of her son to be famous (Ruth 4:14)
- He is to be a restorer of her life and a nourisher of her old age (Ruth 4:15).
- Her daughter-in-law better than seven sons (Ruth 4:15)
- Naomi Takes the Child to Her Bosom (Ruth 4:16-17).
- Naomi is nurse to the child (Ruth 4:16).
- The child Obed is grandfather to David (Ruth 4:17).
- RUTHS SON IS IN THE LINE OF DAVID (Ruth 4:18-22)
- The Ancestors of Boaz (Ruth 4:18-20)
- The Descendents of Boaz (Ruth 4:21-22)
CONCLUSION: This story was guaranteed a happy conclusion when Ruth came to trust under the wings of the God of Israel (Ruth 1:16; Ruth 2:12) – not that bad things could not happen, but that good would be the final result. Have you come to trust under the wings of the God of Israel?