I love the Book of Ruth. It is proof that there can be good mother/daughter-in-law relationships.
But even more so, it is picture of Christs love the church. Boaz represents Jesus - both from Bethlehem, both men of integrity, wealthy, and redeemers. Ruth is you and me. Our history is undesirable (Moab: Psalm 60:8(ESV) "Moab is my washbasin; upon Edom I cast my shoe; over Philistia I shout in triumph.”), and like Ruth we needed saving, we were lost, and ultimately redeemed.
Pastor Jon has been going over life applications from each chapter of Ruth. And today he diescussed the wedding chapter of Ruth. But before the wedding could happen, Boaz had to go before a closer kinsman redeemer, and give him an opportunity to take on the role. In the end, Boaz became the redeemer, married Ruth who in turn became the Great Grandmother to King David - and apart of the ancestry of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The application for the sermon today was this: to have a "happy ending" two things need to happen:
- God has to do something.
- I have to do something.
In every circumstance we can be reassured of two things when it comes to God, He is always watching, and He is working:
- in me (strengthening me, working on my heart)
- 1 Peter 1:6-7 (ESV)
- In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
- developing my character
- for me
- thru me
- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (ESV) God of All ComfortBlessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
When it comes to my part, I am called to:
- give God plenty of time
Ecclesiastes 3:11(ESV) He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
- make a personal commitment to Jesus
Ruth 1:16 (ESV) But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.
- make a public confession of faith
Nine individuals obeyed that last edict this morning during the second service. It was so lovely to see people make professions of faith. It felt fitting that Jon preached about the marriage of Ruth and Boaz on the 6th anniversary of him officiating the marriage of Brock and I.
June 4, 2010
The day I married a wonderful man. Who yesterday sent me away for some alone time. And upon my return, my house was quiet. He had arranged for my parents to keep the kids over night. Him and I went to dinner and enjoyed an evening - just the two of us. Talking and strengthening our marriage. I am a blessed woman.
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