Ruth Marries Boaz

Ruth 3:1-18; 4:1-22

INTRODUCTION: As the story of Ruth comes to a close, we see the great blessings of the Lord on both her and on Naomi. Naomi will find blessing through her daughter in law, Ruth. 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) by purchasing her as His bride. Naomi, who lost the blessing, is finally brought back into a time of blessing through the union of Boaz and Ruth. God is so good!

1. RUTH LIES DOWN AT THE FEET OF BOAZ (3:1-7)
   1. The Instructions of Naomi (v.1-4)
      1. She seeks rest for Ruth (v.1; Ruth 1:9; Isaiah 11:10)
      2. Tonight Boaz will be winnowing barley (v.2)
      3. Prepare yourself for this night (v.3)
         1. Wash
         2. Anoint
         3. Dress
         4. Get down to the place
         5. Wait
         6. Like believers today, she is to make herself ready and then to wait (1Thessalonians 1:9-10)
      4. After all are laid down, go lie at his feet (v.4)

   2. The Obedience of Ruth (v.5-7)
      1. She speaks words of submission (v.5)
      2. She performed acts of obedience (v.6-7; see 1John 3:18; James 2:15-16))

2. BOAZ PROMISES TO DO HIS PART FOR RUTH (3:8-13)
   1. Boaz Discovers Ruth (v.8-9)
      1. Boaz awoke and was frightened by the woman at his feet (v.8)
      2. Ruth identified herself and her purpose (v.9)

   2. Boaz Accepts Ruth’s Proposal (v.10-11)
      1. Boaz praises Ruth for her kindness (v.10)
      2. He promises to do for her as she requested (v.11)
      3. He speaks of her reputation as a virtuous woman (v.11; Proverbs 31:10-31)
   3. Boaz Must Deal with a Nearer Kinsman (v.12-13)
      1. There is a kinsman nearer than Boaz (v.12)
      2. He must be given his chance to do the part of a kinsman (v.13)

    

3. RUTH RETURNS TO NAOMI TO WAIT (3:14-18)
   1. Ruth Rises Early in the Morning (v.14)
   2. Boaz Sends Ruth Home with Barley (v.15)
   3. Ruth Tells Her Story to Naomi (v.16-17)
      1. Naomi had returned home empty (Ruth 1:21)
      2. Ruth is not allowed to return to Naomi empty (Ruth 3:17)

   4. Ruth Must Wait to See Whet Happens (v.18)

    

4. ONE KINSMAN REFUSES TO REDEEM RUTH (4:1-8)
   1. Boaz Gathers Ten Men at the City Gate (v.1-2; cp. Genesis 19:1)
   2. Boaz Allows the Kinsman to Redeem the Land (v.3-4)
   3. Boaz Explains that Ruth is Included (v.5)
   4. The Kinsman Passes the Redemption to Boaz (v.6-8)
      1. He would have to share his inheritance with his present sons (v.6)
      2. He gave up his right and responsibility by plucking off his shoe (v.7-8; similar to Deuteronomy 25:7-10)

    

5. BOAZ REDEEMS RUTH AS HIS WIFE (4:9-12)
   1. Boaz Redeems the Inheritance of Elimelech (v.9-10)
      1. Boaz takes on the responsibility before witnesses (v.9)
      2. Boaz purchases Ruth to be his wife (v.10; compare this to Christ purchasing the New Testament believer by His death on the cross – Acts 20:28)
      3. Boaz promises to raise up the inheritance of the dead (v.10)

   2. Boaz Receives the Blessing of the People (v.11-12); Ruth compared to:
      1. Rachel and Leah (v.11)
      2. Tamar (v.12)

6. RUTH BEARS A SON TO BOAZ (4:13-17)
   1. Ruth Has a Son by Boaz (v.13)
   2. Naomi Receives a Blessing From the Women (v.14-15)
      1. The name of her son to be famous (v.14)
      2. Her son to be a restorer of her life and a nourisher of her old age (v.15)
      3. Her daughter in law better than seven sons (v.15)

   3. Naomi Takes the Child to Her Bosom (v.16-17)
      1. Naomi is nurse to the child (v.16)
      2. The child, Obed, is grandfather to David (v.17)

7. RUTH’S SON IS IN THE LINE OF DAVID (4:18-22)
   1. The Ancestors of Boaz (v.18-20)
   2. The Descendents of Boaz (v.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; 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?

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