Ruth: The Risk

MESSAGE NOTES: Ruth Chapter 3

It is easy to underestimate the risk at the heart of this story.

Everything could have gone dramatically wrong.

“In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land.” Ruth 1:1a

“Naomi said to Ruth, her daughter-in-law, ‘It will be good for you, my daughter, to go with the women who work for him, because in someone else’s field you might be harmed.’” Ruth 2:22

“So Ruth stayed close to the women of Boaz to glean until the barley and wheat harvests were finished.” Ruth 2:23

The biggest risk was that they would try to solve the problem on their own.

“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 for. Now Boaz, with whose women you have worked, is a relative of ours. Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor.” Ruth 3:1-2

Everything went dramatically right.

“‘I will do whatever you say,’ Ruth answered. So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do. When Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he went over to lie down at the far end of the grain pile. Ruth approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down. In the middle of the night something startled the man; he turned—and there was a woman lying at his feet!
‘Who are you?” he asked.
‘I am your servant Ruth,’ she said. ‘Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family.’” Ruth 3:5-9

“‘And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character.’” Ruth 3:11

Chapter 3 is the turning point in the story:

• For Ruth and Naomi
  “Then Naomi said, “Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today.” Ruth 3:18
• For Israel
  “This, then, is the family line of Perez: Perez was the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon,Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, Boaz the father of Obed, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David.” Ruth 4:18-22
• For Us
  “When your (King David’s) days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” 2 Samuel 7:12-13