A Son is Given

December 6, 2009

Lesson: Ruth 2:1–16; 4:13–22; Matthew 1:1–16

Key Verse: Ruth 4:17

Introduction

The name of Ruth is found in the Old Testament only in the book which bears her name. This Moabite woman finds an honored place in the covenant of God. The Lord chose Ruth to become an ancestress of David, of the royal house of Judah. The story of Ruth begins at the time when “the days of the judges ruled.” Judges were raised to administer the laws of God. However, the people and leaders would not listen to their Lord, choosing to go after other gods. They had “turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the Lord; but they did not so” (Judges 2:16–19). Scripture reveals that at the time of the Judges the family of Elimelech and Naomi were living in the city of Bethlehem. Bethlehem would be the birthplace of King David and of the King of kings, Christ Jesus, the Incarnate Son of God. (Matt. 1:1, 2:6). Christ spoke of himself, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son” (John 3:16); the fulfillment of the promise given through Isaiah, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6).

The glory of the coming of the Savior is revealed in these words of the women to Naomi: “Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life” (Ruth 4:14–15). Christ is our “Kinsman,” our “Redeemer.” The genealogy recorded by Matthew (Gift of the Lord), reveals that Christ Jesus is truly the anointed Savior who would save his people from their sins. The Gospel of Matthew (1:1–16) begins, “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” The covenant promise of God was kept from generation to generation; through the generations of Abraham, David, Solomon (who begat Boaz, “who begat Obed of Ruth”); until the time of Jacob who begat “Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.” As Boaz was seen as a “Restorer of Life,” so Christ is seen as our “Restorer of Life.” The same word for ‘restore’ is used in our favorite Psalm, 23—“He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

The Kinsman—Ruth 2:1–7

Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s family: “a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.” Ruth found many blessings from the hand of Boaz as she sought food for herself and Naomi. Boaz was a kind man, who gave her food and drink and the protection of his reapers throughout the day. Ruth asked for the blessing of Naomi that she might glean the field of Boaz: “Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace.” Naomi said, “Go, my daughter.” The loving relationship between Naomi and Ruth grew as they saw each other as mother and daughter.

Ruth began to glean in the fields, following after the reapers. What the reapers had left behind she was allowed to take. She then happened to come to the field belonging to Boaz. In this field Ruth would find the providential hand of the Lord at work. It is not by chance that Boaz comes out to this field from his home in Bethlehem. He said to the reapers, “The Lord be with you.” And they answered, “The Lord bless thee.” This exchange between Boaz and his reapers can carry a sincere desire for the Lord’s benevolent presence, or can be just a word of greeting. The intent of the heart comes from the measure of grace that one receives from Christ. May we who bear the name of Christ, when asking God’s blessing upon another, ask with much affection and expectation.

Boaz approaches the reapers and asks about this girl who is following them. Boaz’ servant answers, “It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab.” Ruth then speaks: “I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.” Ruth had asked the foreman of the reapers for permission to glean throughout the day that she might support Naomi and herself. Boaz welcomed the poor to his fields that they may glean after his reapers, so he would approve of this permission. Also, his concern for who this woman was reveals his kindness toward those around him. The kinsman that the Lord had for Naomi and Ruth was one who had compassion.

Discussion: How is God’s grace revealed in Boaz?

Grace is Found—Ruth 2:8–16

Surely Boaz had already known about Ruth. He would, as a kinsman of Naomi’s husband, welcome her back. Boaz responds to Ruth in the field, saying, “Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens.” Ruth gleans in his field where Boaz can keep watch over her. He further admonishes her to follow after his reapers, claiming that he has already charged the young men not to harm her. He further encourages her in telling her that she may freely drink of his vessels.

Ruth falls on her face, bowing herself to the ground, saying to Boaz, “Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?” Ruth had received an unexpected kindness. Boaz answers, “It hath fully been shown me, all thou hast done unto thy mother-in-law since the death of thine husband and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.” Boaz and Naomi must have had quite a talk about their sojourn to Moab. Ruth’s love for Naomi was shown in the help she gave her; and in the giving up of her own people to embrace the people of God. The character of Ruth as a true child of the Lord comes out in her actions, toward both her newfound mother and the people with whom she now dwells.

The response of Boaz could be nothing less than this: “The Lord recompense thy work; and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.” Ruth, as a child of God, received blessings with the Lord’s people. “How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings” (Psalm 36:7). Ruth would learn more of this kindness from Boaz.

Ruth replies to Boaz, saying, “Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens.” We can learn from that response. First, that kindness must be shown to the new child of God, with no thought of the place where one comes from. Second, that the new Christian receives the grace of God and his people with much thanksgiving. There must be in the congregation a desire to love one another as Christ has loved us.

Boaz continues to bless Ruth with kindness asking her to come to eat with his people. She did so and was satisfied. As she was about to leave Boaz commanded his young men to let her “glean even among the sheaves.” Boaz further instructed them to let some fall from their hands purposefully, leaving them on the ground for Ruth to glean. This reveals his kindness toward Ruth, toward the poor of Bethlehem, as well as the sojourner. His kindness toward Ruth grew for he saw in her the love she had for Naomi and her people.

Discussion: How does Ruth manifest the grace of God?

Restoration of Life—Ruth 4:13–22

Boaz takes Ruth as his wife. Life came into Ruth’s womb; for it is written, “The Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son.” It is the Lord who blesses them as husband and wife, as the womb of the mother bears a child. Ruth bore a son, who, being in the lineal ancestry of Christ, becomes a witness to those of every nation, that there is a true Savior. These words of Matthew Henry remind us that we should more than value that life in the womb of a mother: “Prayer to God attended the marriage, and praise to him attended the birth of the child. What a pity it is that pious language should not be more used among Christians, or that it should be let fall into formality!”

The women of Bethlehem rejoice, saying to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman (one who redeems), that his name may be famous in Israel.” They continue to speak, voicing a promise they would not fully understand at that time, saying, “And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life.” The immediate awareness was that Naomi had received a kinsman who would nourish her, restoring to her the inheritance which she lost when her husband died. Naomi cradled this son in her “bosom, and became a nurse” to him. The name given to the child was ‘Obed,’ meaning, ‘to serve.’

The glorious mystery of the eternal Kinsman would come many years later; for Obed would father Jesse, who would father David. From the line of David, Christ would come, to be born in Bethlehem. He would be the Redeemer-Kinsman of all those whom the Father would give him. The time would come when another mother would rejoice in the coming of the Redeemer, saying, “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden; for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation” (Mary, Luke 1:46-50). Come to Christ, who is our Redeemer-Kinsman. For in him alone “we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Eph. 1:7).

Discussion: Why are Boaz and Christ called kinsmen?