Sermons on Ruth

In this chapter we see Boaz initiating and securing Naomi & Ruth’s redemption, at great cost to himself. We also see Naomi’s restoration, who went from full to empty, back to full again. These, though, are just dim shadows in comparison to the redemption and restoration we find in Jesus. Finally, we see the resulting family tree of King David, who himself points ahead to King Jesus. In Matthew chapter 1, we see Jesus’ family tree, which includes outsiders and…

In Ruth 3, we see 1) a Change of Heart (in Naomi), 2) a Bold Move (by Ruth), and 3) a Gracious Response (from Boaz).

Henri Nouwen wrote that loneliness is one of the most widespread diseases of our time. There are many who are looking for a home, a family, a place to belong, yet often this evades us in our world. In Ruth 2, Ruth enters onto the scene of Israelite society – in every way an outsider, yet Boaz notices her, welcomes her, meets her needs, and shows great kindness to her. The church should be a community of Boaz’s to a world of Ruth’s.…

In the opening verses of the book of Ruth, Naomi experiences great tragedy and loss. She is a sufferer, who is struggling to hold on to any hope. And, though she sees God’s hand in her tragedy, she has concluded that God is against her and that she has returned “empty” – even though Ruth returns with her in a great display of devotion and faithfulness. Suffering can have the effect of impairing our vision – just like Naomi, it can lead us to idealize the past…